Literary Terms For Ap Language And Compostion

Front 1

Abstract

Back 1

That which is intangible, not of the physical world. Ex. Honor, Courage

Front 2

Ad Homimen (to the man)

Back 2

Distorts the argument by attacking the opponent's character, sometimes through the use of lables, stereotypes, etc. to arouse emotions, prejudices. Ex. Why elect him? He is divorced, an alcoholic, and a member of Weight Watchers.

Front 3

Allegory

Back 3

A form of extended metaphor in which characters and/or story elements are used to convey symbolic meaning in addition to literal meaning. ex. Pilgrim's Progress

Front 4

Ambiguity

Back 4

The multiple meanings, intentional or not, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage. ex. Pun

Front 5

Anti-climax

Back 5

An abrupt lapse from growing intensity to triviality in writing. ex. A better cavalier ne'er mounted horse, when mounted, e'er got down again.

Front 6

Antithesis

Back 6

Compares two things, which are alike in several respects, for the purpose of explaining or clarifying some unfamiliar or difficult idea by showing how the 'difficult' idea is similar to the familiar one. ex. To err is human, to forgive is divine.

Front 7

Antithetical Construction

Back 7

Can convey some sense of complexity in a person or idea by admitting opposite or nearly opposite truths. ex. One has a legal and moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsiiblity to disobey unjust laws.

Front 8

Aphorism

Back 8

Statement of some general principle, expressed memorably by condensing much wisdom into a few words. ex. Give a man a mask and he will tell you the truth.

Front 9

Apostrophe

Back 9

Interrupts discussion or discourse and addresses directly a person or personified thing, either present or absent. ex. Ode to a Grecian Urn.

Front 10

Appeals

Back 10

Persuasive techniques to influence the audience. Includes emotional (pathos), ethical (ethos), and logical (logos). Pathos influences through feeling, instinct, opinion, and dramatic example. Ethos uses character of writer to reach the audience (writer can be trusted or has a good rep.)Logos influences through argument, facts, or probability to establish a case.

Front 11

Authorial Persona

Back 11

Person created by the author to tell a story. Actual author's personality is often different from character's personality. ex. Huck Finn

Front 12

Begging the Question

Back 12

Occurs when part of what has to be proved is assumed to be true, or when there is a circular argument. ex. Polygraphs aren't reliable because they can't be trusted.

Front 13

Colloquialism

Back 13

Use of informal expression appropriate to everyday speech rather than to the formality of writing. ex. "ya'll"

Front 14

Conceit

Back 14

Fanciful expression usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between dissimilar objects.

Front 15

Concession

Back 15

In argument, to agree to or surrender to an opponent's point.