Ap English Language And Composition Terms Test

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Allegory

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The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. In some allegories, for example, an author may intend the characters to personify an abstraction like hope or freedom. The allegorical meaning usually deals with moral truth or a generalization about human existence.

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Alliteration

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The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words (as in "she sells sea shells by the seashore"). Although the term is not frequently in the multiple choice section, you can look for alliteration in any essay passage. The repetition can reinforce meaning, unify ideas, supply a musical sound, and/or echo the sense of the passage.

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Allusion

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A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. Allusions can be historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical. There are many more possibilities, and a work may simultaneously use multiple ;ayers of allusion.

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Ambiguity

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The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.

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Analogy

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A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. An analogy can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with or pointing out its similarity to something more familiar. Analogies can also make writing more vivid, imaginative, or intellectually engaging.

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Antecedent

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The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. The AP language exam occasionally asks for the antecedent of a given pronoun in a long, complex sentence or in a group of sentences.

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Antithesis

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the opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite.

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Aphorism

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A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle. (If the authorship is unknown, the statement is generally considered to be a folk proverb.) An aphorism can be a memorable summation of the author's point.

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Apostrophe

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A figure of speech that directly addressed an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. It is an address to someone or something that cannot answer. The effect may add familiarity or emotional intensity.

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Atmosphere

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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. Even such elements as a description of the weather can contribute to the atmosphere. Frequently atmosphere foreshadows events. Perhaps it can create a mood.

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Caricature

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A verbal description, the purpose of which is to exaggerate or distort, for comic effect, a person's distinctive physical features or other characteristics.

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Clause

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A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb.

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Colloquial/colloquialism

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The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing. Not generally acceptable for formal writing, colloquialisms give a work a conversational, familiar tone. Colloquial expressions in writing include local or regional dialects

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Connotation

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

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Didactic

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From the Greek, /didactic/ literally means "teaching". Didactic words have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles.

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Euphemism

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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 used to adhere to standards of social or political correctness or to add humor or ironic understatement.

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Extended metaphor

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A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.

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Figurative Language

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

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Figure of speech

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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.

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Generic conventions

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

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Homily

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this term literally means "sermon", but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.

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Hyperbole

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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.

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Inference/infer

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To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.

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Invective

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

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Metonymy

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A term from the Greek meaning "changed label" or "substitute name", metonymy is a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it. The substituted term generally carries a more potent emotional impact.

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Mood

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The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work. Setting, tone, and events can effect the mood.

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Narrative

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

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Onomatopoeia

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

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Oxymoron

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From the Greek for "pointedly foolish, an oxymoron is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox. Simple examples include "jumbo shrimp" and "cruel kindness".

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Paradox

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A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense be upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity.

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Parody

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A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule. It exploits peculiarities of an author's expression (propensity to use too many parentheses, certain favorite words, etc.). Well-written parody offers enlightenment about the original, but poorly written parody offers only ineffectual imitation. Usually an audience must grasp literary allusion and understand the work being parodied in order to fully appreciate the nuances of the newer work. Occasionally, however, parodies take on a life of their own and don't require knowledge of the original.

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Pedantic

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An adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish (show-offy)

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Periodic sentence

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makes sense only when the end of the sentence is reached. End loaded.

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Point of view

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In literature, the perspective form which a story is told.

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Rhetorical modes

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This flexible term describes the variety, the conventions, and the purposes of the major kinds of writing. The four most common rhetorical modes are:
1. Exposition
2. Argumentation
3. Description
4. Narration

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Sarcasm

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From the Greek meaning "to tear flesh". sarcasm involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something. It may use irony as a device, but not all ironic statements are sarcastic.

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Satire

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A work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule. Regardless of whether or not the work aims to reform human behavior, satire is best seen as a style or writing rather than a purpose for writing. It can be recognized by the many devices used effectively by the satirist: irony, wit, parody, caricature, hyperbole, understatement, and sarcasm. The effects of satire are varied, depending on the writers goal, but good satire, often humorous, is thought provoking and insightful about the human condition.

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Style

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The consideration of style had two purposes:
1. An evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, and other literary devices. Some author's styles are so idiosyncratic that we can quickly recognize works by the same author.
2. Classification of authors to a group and comparison of an author to similar authors. By means of such classification and comparison, we can see how an author's style reflects and helps to define a historical period.

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Syllogism

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From the Greek for "reckoning together", a syllogism is a deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises (one major, one minor) that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.

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Syntax

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The way an author chooses to join words in phrases, clauses, and sentences. Syntax is similar to diction, but you can differentiate them by thinking of syntax as groups of words, while diction refers to the individual words.

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Transition

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

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Understatement

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The ironic minimalizing of fact, understatement presents something as less significant than it is. The effect can frequently be humorous or emphatic. Understatement is the opposite of hyperbole.

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Wit

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In modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights. A witty statement is humorous, while suggesting the speaker's verbal power in creating ingenious and perceptive remarks. Wit usually uses terse language that makes a pointed statement.

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Loose sentence

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makes complete sense if brought to a close before the actual ending. Front loaded.

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Parallel structure

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refers to a grammatical or structural similarity between sentences or parts of a sentence. It involves an arrangement of words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs so that elements of equal importance are equally developed and similarly phrased.

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Natural order sentence

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As sentence where the subject comes before the predicate.

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Simple sentence

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One independent clause.

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Compound sentence

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two or more independent clauses.

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Complex sentence

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one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.

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Compound complex sentences

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two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.