AP Lang terms 21-40

Figurative language

writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid

figure of speech

a device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. Includes apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, etc.

Generic conventions

this term describes traditions for each genre. These help to define each genre

Homily

This term literally means “sermon”, but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice

genre

The major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama. However, this is a flexible term; within these broad boundaries exist many subdivisions that are often called this themselves

Hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. These often have a comic effect; but serious effect is still possible. Often produces irony

Imagery

the sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. On a physical level, this uses terms related to the five senses. on a broader and deeper level, one image can represent more than one thing

inference/infer

to draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented

invective

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

Irony/ironic

the contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant, or the difference between what appears and what is actually true. There are three major types of this

Litotes

A form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite. Opposite of hyperbole

Loose sentence/non-periodic sentence

a type of sentence in which the main idea comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses. If a period were placed at the end of the independent clause, the clause would be a complete sentence. A work containing many of these seems informal and relaxed.

Metaphor

a figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity. This language makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought provoking, and meaningful

Metonymy

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

Mood

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

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

from the Greek for “pointedly foolish” this is a figure of speech where the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.

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

Parallelism

This comes from Greek roots meaning “beside one another.” It refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity. This can involve repetition of a grammatical element such as a preposition or verbal phrase.

onomatopoeia example

Buzz, Crash, Bang,

Metaphor example

“The classroom was a zoo”

The classroom was not literally a zoo, but the metaphor suggests it was noisy or chaotic

Paradox example

“Less is more”

The statement seems contradictory, but it suggests that simplicity can be better than excess

Genre example

Mystery, horror, comedy

Imagery example

'“The warm, buttery bread filled the kitchen with a rich, delicious smell”

Creates an image in the readers mind by using your senses