AP Lang & Comp Terminology

Ab Ovo

from the beginning

ad hominem

faulty argument based on the failing of an adversary (opponent) rather than on the merits of the case; a logical fallacy that involves a personal attack

allegory

The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning

Alliteration

repetition of consonant sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words

allusion

A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art

ambiguity

The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.

Amplification

involves repeating a word or expression while adding more detail to it, in order to emphasize what might otherwise be passed over.

Analogy

 A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them

Anadiplosis

("doubling back") the rhetorical repetition of one or several words; specifically, repetition of a word that ends one clause at the beginning of the next.

anaphora

the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses or Lines. (ex. we shall… we shall… we shall…)

antecedent

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. 

antistrophe

(Also called epistrophe) repetition of the same word or phrase at the __end of successive clauses.__

antithesis

Opposition, or contrast of ideas or words in a balanced or parallel construction.

aphorism

 A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle.

aporia

Expression of doubt (often feigned) by which a speaker appears uncertain as to what he should think, say, or do. 

aposiopesis

A form of ellipse by which a speaker comes to an abrupt halt, seemingly overcome by passion (fear, excitement, etc.) or modesty.apo

apostrophe

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love.

archaism

use of an older or obsolete form.

assonance

repetition of the same vowel sound in words close to each other

asyndeton

lack of conjunctions (FANBOYS) between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.

atmosphere

The emotional nod created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting and partly by the author’s choice of objects that are described.

Bandwagon

A logical fallacy based on the assumption that the opinion of the majority is always valid: everyone believes it, so you should too.

caricature

A verbal description, the purpose of which is to exaggerate or distort, for comic effect, a person’s distinctive physical features or other characteristics.

catachresis

The misuse or strained use of words, as in a mixed metaphor, occurring either in error or for rhetorical effect. Examples: Mow the beard and shave the grass.

chiasmus

Also called "reverse parallelism," since the second part of a grammatical construction is balanced or paralleled by the first part, only in reverse order.

circular argumentation

An argument that commits the logical fallacy of assuming what it is attempting to prove. (Also known as begging the question)

clause

A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb.

Colloquial/colloquialism

The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.

commoratio

The repetition of a point made several times using different words.

complementizer

A word (such as that or if) used to introduce a dependent clause

compounding

In linguistics, the combining of two or more words to create a new word.

conceit

A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.

concession

An admission in an argument that the opposing side has points; to grant, allow or yield to a point.

conjunction

The part of speech that serves to connect words, phrases, or clauses

connotation

The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning.

Declarative sentence

A sentence in the form of a statement (in contrast to an interrogative,imperative, or exclamatory sentence)

Deduction

The method of reasoning from the general to the specific.

Denotation

The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.

diacope

Figure of repetition in the same word or phrase occurs on either side of an intervening word or phrase

Diction

Related to style, diction refers to the writer’s word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.

Didactic

From the Greek, didactic literally means “teaching.”

Dirimens Copulatio

Mentioning a balancing or opposing fact to prevent the argument from being one-sided or unqualified.

Distinctio

An explicit reference to a particular meaning or to the various meanings of a word, in order to remove or prevent ambiguity.

Doxa

In classical rhetoric, the domain of opinion, belief, or probable knowledge-in contrast to episteme, the domain of certainty or true knowledge

Ellipses

set of three periods ( ... ) indicating an omission of a word, phrase, or clause from a quoted passage.

Enallage

Intentionally misusing grammar to characterize a speaker or create a memorable phrase.

Encomium

A tribute or eulogy in prose or verse glorifying people, events, objects or ideas.

Enumeratio

Figure of amplification in which a subject is divided into constituent parts or details, and may include a listing of causes, effects, problems, solutions, conditions, and consequences; the listing or detailing of the parts of something.

**Either/or fallacy**

An error in logic when one gives only two choices and one choice is not palatable

Epigraph

the use of a quote at the beginning of a piece of rhetoric that hints at its theme.

Epimone

Frequent repetition of a phrase or question, dwelling on a point.

Episteme

In classical rhetoric, the domain of true knowledge

Epizeuxis

A rhetorical term for repetition of a word or phrase for emphasis, usually with no words in between.

Ethos

A rhetorical appeal to an audience based on the speaker/writer's credibility

Euphemism

From the Greek for “good speech,” a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.

Expletive

Figure of emphasis in which a single word or short phrase, usually interrupting normal speech.

Extended metaphor

A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.

False authority

A fallacy in which the rhetor attempts to persuade his or her audience by using well-respected famous names of people rather than evidence or proof.

Figurative language

Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.

Figure of Speech

A device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things.

fragment

An incomplete sentence; A complete sentence must have an independent clause as its base.

Generic conventions

This term describes traditions for each genre.

genre

The major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama.

gerund

A noun formed from a verb. The verb functioning as a noun always ends with –ing.

Guilt by association

A fallacy where one attempts to discredit an idea or concept based upon disfavored people or groups associated with it.

Hasty generalization

A fallacy in which a conclusion is drawn from insufficient evidence (too small of a sample to draw a justifiable conclusion)

Homily

This term literally means “sermon,” but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.

Hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement

Hypophora

Figure of reasoning in which one or more questions is/are asked and then answered, often at length, by one and the same speaker; raising and responding to one's own question(s).

Illocutionary force

The speaker’s intention when he or she delivers an utterance

Imagery

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions

Imperative sentence

 type of sentence that gives advice or instructions or that expresses a request or command.

Induction

A method of reasoning that moves from specific instances to a general conclusion (contrast with deduction)

Inference/infer

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.

Infinitive Phrase

 starts with an infinitive [to + simple form of the verb]. It will include objects and/or modifiers.

Interrogative sentence

A type of sentence that asks a question (contrast to declarative or imperative sentences)

Invective

an emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.

Irony/ironic

The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant, or the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true.

Juxtaposition

the “side by side” comparison of two or more objects or ideals for the purpose of highlighting similarities or differences.

Kenning

a metaphoric compound word or phrase used as a synonym for a common noun.

Litote

a form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite

Logos

Rhetorical appeals based on logic or reasoning.

Metabasis

consists of a brief statement of what has been said and what will follow.

Metaphor

comparison of seemingly unlike things (not using like)

Metonymy

name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.

mood

The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work.

Narrative

telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.

Nonce word

A word coined or used for a special occasion

Onomatopoeia

natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words.

Oxymoron

wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox

paradox

A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity.

Parallelism

Grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity. Repetition of a grammatical element such as a preposition or verbal phrase.

Parody

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.

Pathos

An emotional appeal used in rhetoric

Pedantic

An adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish.

Periodic sentence (period)