AP Lang terms

Alliteration

Repetition of the same sound beginning several words or syllables in sequence.

Allusion

Brief reference to a person, event, or place (real or fictitious) or to a work of art.

Ambiguity

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

Analogy

A comparison between two seemingly dissimilar things, often using something simple or familiar to explain something unfamiliar or complex.

Anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines.

Anecdote

A brief story used to illustrate a point or claim.

Aphorism

A terse statement of known authorship that expresses a general truth and moral principle.

Argument

A process of reasoned inquiry; a persuasive discourse resulting in a coherent movement from a claim to a conclusion.

Audience

The listener, viewer, or reader of a text; most texts have multiple audiences.

Claim

An assertion or proposition that states the argument’s main idea or position, which must be arguable.

Colloquialism

Words or phrases that have a conversational feel and are not generally used in formal written English.

Connotation

Meanings or associations that readers have with a word beyond its dictionary definition.

Context

The circumstances, atmosphere, attitudes, and events surrounding a text.

Denotation

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

Diction

A speaker’s choice of words that affects the message.

Ethos

Greek for 'character,' used to demonstrate credibility and trustworthiness.

Euphemism

A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts.

Figurative Language

Nonliteral language that often evokes strong imagery, comparing one thing to another.

Hyperbole

Deliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or comic/ironic effect.

Imagery

A description that appeals to the senses, using literal or figurative language.

Irony

A figure of speech where what is said is opposite of what is expected.

Jargon

Specialized terminology used by a particular group of people.

Juxtaposition

Placement of two things closely together to emphasize similarities or differences.

Logos

Greek for 'embodied thought'; appealing to reason by offering clear and rational ideas.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that compares two things without using like or as.

Mood

The feeling or atmosphere created by a text.

Narration

Factual and background information establishing why a subject or problem needs addressing.

Oxymoron

A paradox made up of two seemingly contradictory words.

Paradox

A seemingly contradictory statement that delivers an ironic truth.

Parallelism

Similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses.

Pathos

Greek for 'suffering' or 'experience'; appealing to emotions to motivate an audience.

Persona

The face or character that a speaker shows to their audience.

Personification

Attribution of lifelike qualities to an inanimate object or idea.

Purpose

The goal the speaker wants to achieve through their discourse.

Rhetoric

The art of finding ways to persuade an audience.

Rhetorical Appeals

Techniques used to persuade an audience, primarily through ethos, logos, and pathos.

Rhetorical Question

A question posed for rhetorical effect rather than to get an answer.

Satire

The use of irony or sarcasm to critique society or an individual.

Simile

A figure of speech that compares two things explicitly, using the words like or as.

Style

A writer’s specific way of expressing ideas, including arrangement, word choice, and syntax.

Syntax

The arrangement of words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.

Theme

A writer’s thoughts on a topic, including their beliefs about that topic.

Tone

A speaker’s attitude toward the subject conveyed through stylistic choices.

Understatement

A figure of speech in which something is presented as less important than it actually is.

Vernacular

The speech patterns of a particular group or region.

Voice

The unique flavor of a piece based upon the author’s style.