AP English Language & Composition – Glossary Practice

Vocabulary flashcards covering essential rhetorical and literary terms for AP English Language and Composition.

Allegory

A narrative in which characters or events symbolically represent abstract ideas (e.g., hope, freedom) to convey a moral truth or commentary on human existence.

Alliteration

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring words (e.g., “she sells sea-shells”) to reinforce meaning, unify ideas, or enhance musicality.

Allusion

A direct or indirect reference to a commonly known event, book, myth, place, or work of art; may be historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical.

Ambiguity

Intentional or unintentional multiple meanings of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.

Anadiplosis

Repetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the next (e.g., “Fear leads to anger; anger leads to hate…”).

Analogy

A comparison that explains something unfamiliar by linking it to something familiar, making ideas clearer or more vivid.

Anaphora

Repetition of the same word(s) at the beginning of successive lines, clauses, or sentences (e.g., “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times…”).

Anecdote

A short narrative detailing an interesting episode or event, often from a person’s life.

Antecedent

The word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers.

Aphorism

A terse, memorable statement that expresses a general truth or moral principle; if anonymous, considered a folk proverb.

Apostrophe

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction (e.g., liberty, love) to add emotional intensity.

Atmosphere

The emotional mood of a literary work, created by setting and descriptive choices; often foreshadows events.

Clause

A grammatical unit with a subject and verb; independent clauses stand alone, whereas dependent (subordinate) clauses require an independent clause.

Colloquial / Colloquialism

Use of slang or informal language in writing or speech, giving a conversational, familiar tone and reflecting regional dialects.

Coherence

The logical arrangement of parts in a composition so the overall meaning is immediately clear and intelligible.

Conceit

An extended, clever metaphor or surprising analogy between dissimilar objects, showcasing intellectual ingenuity.

Connotation

The implied or associative meaning of a word, involving emotions or attitudes beyond its literal definition.

Denotation

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

Diction

An author’s choice of words in terms of correctness, clearness, or effectiveness; helps establish style when combined with syntax and other devices.

Didactic

Literally “teaching”; describes works whose primary aim is to instruct, especially in moral or ethical principles.

Epistrophe

Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses (opposite of anaphora).

Euphemism

A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for an unpleasant word or concept (e.g., “earthly remains” for “corpse”).

Exposition

Writing or speech primarily intended to explain; in drama, the introductory material that sets tone, setting, characters, and conflict.

Extended metaphor

A metaphor developed at Great length, occuring frequently in or throughout a work