ap lang terms

Tone

the author's attitude towards the subject/character/text (usually an adjective)

Diction

the author's word choice

Connotation

the feeling or emotional charge of a word

Denotation

the dictionary definition of a word

Colloquialism

informal speech or slang

Jargon

the specialized or technical words associated with a group or subject

Vernacular

the speech patterns and diction associated with a certain group people

Satire

a situation in which humor and irony is used to critique political and social institutions

Dramatic Irony

irony created with the audience knows something the characters don't

Verbal Irony

irony created when the opposite of what is meant is said (sometimes sarcasm)

Situational Irony

irony created when the opposite of what is expected to happen occurs

Sarcasm

a type of verbal irony that is characterized by mocking humor

Point of View

the narrative perspective-1st person (I

Rhetoric

the art of using language persuasively and eloquently

Logos

appeals to an audience's logic or reason

Pathos

appeals to an audience's emotions

Ethos

the credibility of an author or source

Rhetorical Question

a persuasive question that is asked but not meant to be answered

Metaphor

the comparison of two unlike things without using like or as; figurative language

Simile

the comparison of two unlike things using like or as; figurative language

Analogy

the comparison of two situations in order to highlight similarities and explain an idea

Hyperbole

the use of extreme exaggeration for emphasis

Visual Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the sense of sight.

Symbol

an object that represents an idea

Theme

the moral lesson the author is trying to teach the audience

Personification

the attribution of human characteristics or traits to non-living things

Tactile Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the sense of touch.

Epistrophe

a form of repetition at the end of clauses or sentences

Parallelism

the repetition of sentence structure (syntax) throughout paragraphs

Euphemism

a kinder, more neutral way to express strong or harsh ideas

Auditory Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the sense of hearing.

Paradox

a seemingly contradictory statement which reveals a truth

Juxtaposition

the comparison of two things or situations in order to highlight their differences

Olfactory Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the sense of smell.

Polysyndeton

the deliberate repetition of conjunctions

Telegraphic Sentence

a very short sentence with fewer than five words

Syntax

the order of words in a sentence; sentence structure

Gustatory Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the sense of taste.

Asyndeton

the deliberate omission of conjunctions between words and phrases

Allusion

references to well-known texts

Anaphora

the repetition of words or phrases for effect at the beginning of clauses and sentences

Imagery

detailed descriptions that appeal to the senses: visual (sight)

Sentence Length

telegraphic sentence (shorter than five words)