AP Glossary #1 Flashcards
Definition Active Voice
Subject of the sentence performs the action
Example + Non Example of Active voice
Example: I bought apples at the store today.
Non-example: Apples were bought by me at the store today.
Impact Active Voice
Lively, concise, interesting writing
Definition Allusion
An indirect reference to something
Example of Allusion
Pandora’s Box
Impact of Allusion
Enhances the text by providing further meaning
Definition Anecdote
A brief recounting of a relevant episode
Example Anecdote
“Last night, I accidentally locked myself out of the house and had to crawl through a small, dusty window to get back in.”
Impact of Anecdote
Anecdotes, personal or not, are an effective way of persuading an audience. Storytelling can persuade and inspire an audience, especially if the story is emotional or passionate.
Definition Antecedent
The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.
Example Antecedent
Chelsey finished her presentation, “Chelsey” is the antecedent and “her” is the pronoun.
Definition Classicism
Art or literature characterized by a realistic view of people and the world; sticks to traditional themes and structures.
Example Classicism
Architecture. Renaissance sculptors like Michelangelo often used religious themes for their works.
Definition Comic Relief
When a humorous scene is inserted into a serious story, in order to lighten the mood somewhat.
Example Comic Relief
The “gatekeeper scene” in Macbeth is an example of comic relief.
Impact of Comic Relief
Comic relief is used to break tension. It also allows for the audience to experience a different emotion, and calm themselves during a tense moment.
Definition Diction
Word choice, particularly as an element of style. Different types of words have significant effects on meaning.
Definition Colloquial
Ordinary or familiar type of conversation. A “colloquialism” is a common or familiar type of saying, similar to an adage or an aphorism.
Example Colloquial
Some examples of informal colloquialisms can include words (such as “y’all” or “gonna” or “wanna”).
Impact Colloquial
if done right, it can impart a strong sense of realism – of time, of place, of character – to your work. It can draw your readers into the story and help them relate to your characters. It makes writing less formal and more approachable
Definition Connotation
Rather than the dictionary definition (denotation), the associations suggested by a word. Implied meaning rather than literal meaning.
Definition Denotation
The literal, explicit meaning of a word, without its connotations.
Definition Jargon
The diction used by a group which practices a similar profession or activity. Lawyers speak using particular jargon, as do soccer players.
Example Jargon
Think outside the box.
Impact Jargon
Jargon can be integral to setting up your characters’ backgrounds and professions in a realistic way. Using the accepted jargon for a profession correctly can make a huge difference to how realistic that character is.
Definition Vernacular
- Language or dialect of a particular country. 2. Language or dialect of a regional clan or group. 3. Plain everyday speech
Definition Didactic
A term used to describe fiction, nonfiction or poetry that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.
Example Didactic
Aesop’s Fabels
Definition Adage
A folk saying with a lesson.
Example Adage
“A rolling stone gathers no moss.”
Impact of Adage
Adages help remind audiences what the important takeaways are and also help children understand basic moral lessons. Also, adages can be trusted because they are familiar and speak to universal truths that have been acknowledged over time.
Definition Allegory
A story, fictional or non fictional, in which characters, things, and events represent qualities or concepts. The interaction of these characters, things, and events is meant to reveal an abstraction or a truth.
Example Allegory
Animal Farm, by George Orwell, is an allegory.
Impact Allegory
Allegory allows writers to create some distance between themselves and the issues they are discussing, especially when those issues are strong critiques of political or societal realities.
Definition Aphorism
A terse statement which expresses a general truth or moral principle. An aphorism can be a memorable summation of the author’s point.
Example Aphorism
Ben Franklin wrote many of these in Poor Richard’s Almanac, such as “God helps them that help themselves,” and “A watched pot never boils.”
Impact Aphorism
These statements are generally easy to remember and frequently applicable to a number of different situations, granting them universal appeal.
Definition Ellipsis
The deliberate omission of a word or phrase from prose done for effect by the author.
Example Ellipsis
The whole day, rain, torrents of rain.” The term ellipsis is related to ellipse, which is the three periods used to show omitted text in a quotation.
Impact Ellipsis
Ellipsis points are important because they tell your readers that something is missing. The points help your audience understand that you have only quoted part of something, and that they can go back and fill in the blank should they wish to.
Definition Euphemism
A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts. Sometimes they are used for political correctness.
Example Euphemism
“Physically challenged,” in place of “crippled.” Sometimes a euphemism is used to exaggerate correctness to add humor. “Vertically challenged” in place of “short.”
Impact Euphemism
Euphemisms allow writers to address delicate or distressing topics with greater sensitivity, showing respect for the audience’s feelings.
Definition Figurative Language
Writing that is not meant to be taken literally. Opposite of “Literal Language”
Definition Analogy
An analogy is a comparison of one pair of variables to a parallel set of variables. When a writer uses an analogy, he or she argues that the relationship between the first pair of variables is the same as the relationship between the second pair of variables.
Example Analogy
“America is to the world as the hippo is to the jungle.” Similes and metaphors are sometimes also analogies.
Impact Analogy
Analogies take things one step further and connect an abstract idea with concrete objects so it becomes easier to understand.
Definition Hyperbole
An exaggeration.
Example Hyperbole
“My mother will kill me if I am late.”
Impact Hyperbole
It creates emphasis and depending on the context, you can use it for comic or dramatic effect, to create vivid images, or to convey intensity or emotion.
Definition Idiom
A common, often used expression that doesn’t make sense if you take it literally.
Example Idiom
“I got chewed out by my coach.”
Impact Idiom
Idioms add color, depth, and emotion to the text, making it more engaging and memorable for readers.
Example + Non Example of Metaphor
Example: He’s a couch potato.
Non-example: That car is like a rocket!
Definition Metaphor
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable
Impact Metaphor
Metaphors create images that are easier to understand and respond to than literal language.
Definition Metonymy
Replacing an actual word or idea, with a related word or concept.
Example Metonymy
“Relations between London and Washington have been strained,” does not literally mean relations between the two cities, but between the leaders of The United States and England. Metonymy is often used with body parts: “I could not understand his tongue,” means his language or his speech.
Impact Metonymy
Metonymy has the effect of creating concrete and vivid images in place of generalities.
Definition Synecdoche
A kind of metonymy when a whole is represented by naming one of it’s parts, or vice versa.
Example Synecdoche
“The cattle rancher owned 500 head.” “Check out my new wheels.”
Impact Synecdoche
This technique adds depth as well as imagery in writing.
Definition Simile
Using words such as “like” or “as” to make a direct comparison between two very different things.
Example + Non example of Simile
Example: “My feet are so cold they feel like popsicles.”
Non-example: “Her hair smells like smoke.”
Impact Simile
Similes give readers a fuller understanding of the subject and help them connect to the text.
Definition Synesthesia
A description involving a “crossing of the senses.”
Example Synesthesia
“A purplish scent filled the room.” “I was deafened by his brightly-colored clothing.”
Impact Synesthesia
It serves to develop increased interiority, letting readers see things from the protagonist’s or speaker’s perspective.
Definition Personification
Giving human-like qualities to something that is not human.
Example Personification
“The tired old truck groaned as it inched up the hill.”
Impact Personification
It can help readers connect with the parts of a story or poem that aren’t the characters.
