AP Language Terms

AP Language Terms Flashcards

Generic Conventions

The typical features of a genre that help categorize a text. For example, a horror story often includes a dark setting, suspenseful tone, and supernatural elements.

Logical Fallacy

A flaw in reasoning that weakens an argument. For example, "If we don’t ban video games, all kids will become violent" → This is a slippery slope fallacy.

Loose Sentence

A sentence that starts with the main idea and adds details afterward. For example, "She decided to go to college, even though it meant leaving her family, moving across the country."

Metonymy

A figure of speech where something is referred to by something closely associated with it. For example, "The White House issued a statement today." → White House stands for the U.S. President or administration.

Mood

The emotional atmosphere of a text; how it makes the reader feel. For example, "The abandoned house creaked with every gust of wind, shadows dancing on the walls." → Creates a suspenseful mood.

Narrative

A story or account of events, real or imagined. For example, a personal essay describing your first day at a new school is a narrative.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines contradictory terms. For example, "Bittersweet" or "living dead."

Euphemism

A polite or mild word used to replace a harsh or blunt one. For example, "He passed away" → Euphemism for "He died."

Extended Metaphor

A metaphor that continues throughout a series of sentences or an entire work. For example, In Shakespeare’s "As You Like It", life is compared to a play: "All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players."

Figurative Language

Language that uses figures of speech to be more effective and imaginative. For example, "The stars danced playfully in the moonlit sky." → Uses personification.

Figure of Speech

A word or phrase used in a non-literal way to create an effect. For example, "It’s raining cats and dogs" → An idiom.

Genre

A category of literary composition. For example, Mystery, romance, science fiction, and memoir are all different genres.

Homily

A sermon or serious talk offering moral or spiritual advice. For example, A priest giving a speech on kindness during a Sunday service.

Hyperbole

An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally. For example, "I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!"

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses. For example, "The scent of fresh-baked bread filled the warm kitchen, making my mouth water."

Inference/Infer

A conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning. For example, If a character is wearing a coat and shivering, you can infer that it’s cold.

Invective

Harsh, abusive language used to attack or insult. For example, "You disgusting, lying fraud!"

Irony/Ironic

A contrast between what is expected and what actually happens. For example, A plumber’s house has leaky pipes. → Situational irony.

Juxtaposition

Placing two contrasting elements side by side to highlight differences. For example, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…" – Charles Dickens.