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

Diacope – repetition of a word or phrase after an intervening word or phrase:  word/phrase X, . . .word/phrase X.

Ex.  We will do it, I tell you; we will do it.

We give thanks to Thee, O God, we give thanks (Psalm 75:1)

“I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without hate.  And I can picture us attacking that world, because they’d never expect it” – Jack Handey, Deep Thoughts

Diction – Related to style, diction refers to the writer’s word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.   For the AP exam, you should be able to describe an author’s diction  (for example, formal or informal, ornate or plain) and understand the ways in which diction can complement the author’s purpose.  Diction, combined with syntax, figurative language, literary devices, etc., creates an author’s style.

Didactic (dahy-dak-tik) – From the Greek, didactic literally means “teaching.”  Didactic works have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles.

Enumeration – Figure of amplification in which a subject is divided into constituent parts or details, and may include a listing of causes, effects, problems, solutions, conditions, and consequences; the listing or detailing of the parts of something.

Ex.  I love her eyes, her hair, her nose, her cheeks, her lips.

“Who’s gonna turn down a Junior Mint?  It’s chocolate; it’s peppermint; it’s delicious.  .   . It’s very refreshing!” – Kramer (Seinfeld).

Expletive (ek-spli-tiv) -   Figure of emphasis in which a single word or short phrase, usually interrupting normal speech, is used to lend emphasis to the words on either side of the expletive.  

Ex.  in fact, of course, to be sure, indeed, I suppose, I hope, you know, you see, clearly, in any event, in effect, certainly, remarkably.

Euphemism (yoo-fuh-miz-uhm) -   From the Greek for “good speech,” euphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.  The euphemism may be sued to adhere to standards of social or political correctness or to add humor or ironic understatement.  

Ex.  Saying “earthly remains” rather than “corpse” is an example of euphemism.  

Exposition -  In essays, one of the four chief types of composition, the others being argumentation, description, and narration.  The purpose of exposition is to explain something.  In drama, the exposition is the introductory material, which creates the tone, gives the setting, and introduces the characters and conflict.

Extended metaphor – A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout the work.

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.  Figures of speech include apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, metonymy, 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.  On the AP language exam, try to distinguish the unique features of a writer’s work from those dictated by convention.

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.  ON the AP language exam, expect the majority of the passages to be from the following genres:  autobiography, biography, diaries, criticism, essays, and journalistic, political, scientific, and nature writing.

Homily (hom-uh-lee)- This term literally means “sermon,” but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.

Hyperbole (hahy-pur-buh-lee) – A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement.  Hyperboles often have a comic effect; however, a serious effect is also possible.  Often, hyperbole produces irony.  It is used to provoke a response, to cast something in a strong light.

Ex.  “So first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself”  - Franklin D. Roosevelt

This stuff is used motor oil compared to the coffee you make, my love.

Hypophora – Figure of reasoning in which one or more questions is/are asked and then answered, often at length, by one and the same speaker;  raising and responding to one’s own question(s).  A common usage is to ask the question at the beginning of a paragraph and then use the paragraph to answer it.  You can use hypophora to raise questions which you think the reader obviously has on his/her mind and would like to see formulated and answered.

Ex.  “When the enemy struck on that June day of 1950, what did America do?  It did what it always has done in all its times of peril.  It appealed to the heroism of its youth.”  - Dwight D. Eisenhower

Imagery -   The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.  On a physical level, imager y uses terms related to the five senses; we refer to visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, or olfactory imagery.  On a broader and deeper level, however, one image can represent more than one thing.  For example, a rose may present visual imagery while also representing the color in a woman’s cheeks and/or symbolizing some degree of perfection (It is the highest flower on the Great Chain of Being).  An author may use complex imagery while simultaneously employing other figure s of speech, especially metaphor and simile.  In addition, this term can apply to the total of all the images in a work.  ON the AP exam, pay attention to how an author creates imagery and to the effect of this imagery.