AP English Language and Composition | December 2024 Term Quiz

allegory

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

alliteration

The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words. The repetition can reinforce meaning, unify ideas, supply a musical sound, and/or echo the sense of the passage.

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.

anaphora

A sub-type of parallelism, when the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.

antecedent

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

antithesis

The opposition or contrast of ideas expressed in a grammatically balanced statement(s) (EX: foul is fair, fair is foul)

aphorism

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

apostrophe

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

cacophony

Words combining unpleasant, discordant sounds that produce an effect of harshness (similar or perhaps even a more specific sub-group to onomatopoeia).

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.

catharsis

a purging of pity and/or terror in the audience when watching or reading a tragic event.

clause

a grammatical unit that contains a subject and a verb. Can be independent; dependent.

colloquialism

The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing. Not generally acceptable for formal writing.

connotation

The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning. May involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes.

diction

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

digression

the use of material unrelated to the subject of the work.

ethos

argumentative technique details with “presentation of self.” The development of credibility or similar ethics. When a writer or speaker seems trustworthy.

euphemism

From the Greek for “good speech,” ____________ are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept. May be used to adhere to standards of social or political correctness or add humor.

foil

a character that provides a sharp contrast to another character in the same work.

foreshadowing

hints or clues that suggest events yet to occur.

genre

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

hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. Often have a comic effect; serious effect also possible.

imagery

the sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. On a physical level, this relates to the five sense.

invective

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

irony

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.

logos

argumentative technique that appeals to logic. The presentation of facts, statistics, credible testimony, cogent examples to support an argument.

metaphor

a figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity.

metonymy

A term from the Greek meaning “changed label” or “substitute name,” a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.

mood

the prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work.

motif

an image that occurs throughout a work that is in and of itself, but also may have symbolic meaning.

narrative

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

onomatopoeia

a figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words.

oxymoron

a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.

parable

a story designed to suggest a principle, illustrate a moral, or answer a question.

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.

parody

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

pastoral

a rural or natural setting.

pathos

argumentative techniques that generate emotions, such as fear and anger, in readers to shape their responses and dispose them to accept a claim.

personification

a figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions.

point of view

in literature, the perspective from which a story is told.

rhetoric

From the Greek for “orator,” this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.

rhetorical question

a question asked for effect, not in the expectation of reply.

satire

a work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule.

setting

the background of a story - the physical location of a play, story, or novel - involves time and place.

simile

a figure of speech comparing two unlike objects using like, as or him.

symbol/symbolism

Generally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else.

theme

the central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life.

thesis

in expository writing, this statement is the sentence or group of sentences that directly expressed the author’s opinion, purpose, meaning, or position.

tone

Similar to mood, this describes the author’s attitude toward his material, the audience, or both. Consider how a work would sound if read aloud.