AP English Language and Composition Terms

allegory

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 2+ neighboring words

allusion

a direct/indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known

ambiguity

having multiple meaning, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence or passage

analogy

a similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. It can help explain an unfamiliar things by comparison.

antecedent

the word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun

antithesis

the opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite

aphorism

a terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or moral principle. (If anonymous, called a folk proverb)

apostrophe

a figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction (i.e. love or liberty)

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. Frequently atmosphere foreshadows events.

caricature

a verbal description with the purpose to exaggerate or distort a person's characteristics for comic effect

clause

contains both a subject and a verb. Main (independent) clauses can stand alone as a sentence. Dependent (subordinate) clauses must be accompanied by an independent clause.

colloquialism

use of slang/informalities in speech or writing

conceit

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

connotation

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

denotation

the strict, literal dictionary definition of a word

diction

the writer's word choices

didactic

literally means teaching; describes words that are for teaching or instructing, especially with morals or ethical principles

euphemism

less offensive substitute for an unpleasant word or idea. Ex. earthly remains instead of corpse

extended metaphor

a metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in/throughout a work

figurative language

writing or speech not intended to carry literal meaning

figure of speech

A device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. Figures of speech include apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche, and understatement.

generic conventions

This term describes traditions for each genre. These conventions help to define each genre; for example, they differentiate an essay and journalistic writing or an autobiography and political writing.

genre

The major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama. However, genre is a flexible term; within these broad boundaries exist many subdivisions that are often called genres themselves. For example, prose can be divided into fiction (novels and short stories) or nonfiction (essays, biographies, autobiographies, etc.). Poetry can be divided into lyric, dramatic, narrative, epic, etc. Drama can be divided into tragedy, comedy, melodrama, farce, etc.

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

imagery

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

inference/infer

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented. When a multiple choice question asks for an inference to be drawn from a passage, the most direct, most reasonable inference is the safest answer choice.

invective

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

irony

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

verbal irony

the words literally state the opposite of the writer's meaning

situational irony

when events turn out the opposite of what was expected

dramatic irony

when facts or events are unknown to a character in a play or piece of fiction but known to the reader, audience or other characters in the work

litotes (sounds like little tee)

a form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite; opposite of hyperbole loose/ non-periodic sentence

metaphor

figure of speech using implied comparison

metonymy

figure of speech in which the name of an object is substituted for a similar name. Ex. The white house for the president

mood

The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work. Setting, tone, and events can affect the mood. Mood is similar to tone and atmosphere.

narrative

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

onomatopoeia

figure of speech when woods imitate sounds. Ex. hiss, crack, band

oxymoron

figure of speech where the author groups contradictory things to suggest a paradox. Ex. jumbo shrimp and cruel kindness

paradox

a statement that appears to be self-contradictory but has some degree of truth or validity

parallelism

also known as parallel structure, ordering words, phrases or paragraphs to create structural similarity

anaphora

a type of parallelism with the exact repetition of words or phrases is at the beginning of successive lines or sentences

parody

a work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comedy or ridicule

pedantic

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

periodic sentence

dependent clause first, then main clause at end.

personification

figure of speech when concepts, animals or inanimate objects are given humanlike characteristics or emotions

point of view

In literature, the perspective from which a story is told. There are two general divisions of point of view, and many subdivisions within those.

first person

tells the story with the first person pronoun, "I," and is a character in the story. This narrator can be the protagonist, a secondary character, or an observing character.

third person

relates the events with the third person pronouns, "he," "she," and "it." There are two subdivisions: omniscient and limited

third person omniscient

in which the narrator, with godlike knowledge, presents the thoughts and actions of any or all characters

third person limited

in which the narrator presents the feelings and thoughts of only one character, presenting only the actions of all the remaining characters.

prose

one of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms. In prose the printer determines the length of the line; in poetry, the poet determines the length of the line.

repetition

exact or approximate duplication of any element of language such as sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence or grammatical pattern

rhetoric

principles of how to write effectively, eloquently and persuasively

rhetorical modes

the variety, conventions and purposes of the major kinds of writing. The four most common rhetorical modes are exposition (explain and analyze), argumentation (aka persuasive writing), description (describe for the reader) and narration(tell a stroy or narrate an event)

sarcasm

bitter language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something.

satire

a work that targets human vice or follies or social conventions and institutions to reform or ridicule

semantics

branch of linguistics that studies the meaning and origin of words

style

Two purposes:

1. An evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices.

2. Classification of authors to a group and comparison of an author to similar authors.

subject complement

the word or clause that follows a linking verb that describes the subject by renaming the subject (predicate nominative) or describing the subject (predicate adjective)

subordinate clause

this word group contains both a subject and a verb (plus any accompanying phrases or modifiers), but unlike the independent clause, the subordinate clause cannot stand alone; it does not express a complete thought. Also called a dependent clause, the subordinate clause depends on a main clause (or independent clause) to complete its meaning. Usually begin with words such as: although, because, unless, if, even though, since, as soon as, while, who, when, where, how and that.

syllogism

a deductive system of logic that presents 2 premises that lead to a sound conclusion. Ex. 1. All men are mortal. 2. Socrates is a man. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.

symbol

anything that represents itself and stands for something else.

natural symbols

objects or occurrences in nature that symbolize ideas associated with them. Ex. roses and love

conventional symbols

symbols that have been invested with meaning by a group. Ex. cross and christianity

literary symbols

symboles that are in variety of books and are more generally recognized.

synecdoche

a figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole or the whole represents a part. Ex. calling a car "wheels" or referring to all of the string instruments in an orchestra as "the strings"

synesthesia

a sensory stimulus that evokes the subjective experience of another. Ex. seeing red ants makes you itchy

syntax

the way an author structures his words into phrase, clauses and sentences.

theme

The central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life. Usually, the theme is unstated in fictional works, but in nonfiction, the theme may be directly state, especially in expository or argumentative writing.

thesis

In expository writing, the thesis statement is the sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position. Expository writing is usually judged by analyzing how accurately, effectively, and thoroughly a writer has proven the thesis.

tone

Similar to mood, tone describes the author's attitude toward his material, the audience, or both. Tone is easier to determine in spoken language than in written language.

transition

A word or phrase that links different ideas. Used especially, although not exclusively, in expository and argumentative writing, transitions effectively signal a shift from one idea to another. Commonly used words are: furthermore, consequently, nevertheless, for example, in addition, likewise, similarly, on the contrary, etc.

understatement

the ironic minimalizing of fact

wit

intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights. Witty statements are humorous while demonstrating the speaker's ability to use words to make ingenious or perceptive remarks