AP Lang - ALL TERMS Flashcards
The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. An author may intend the characters to personify an abstraction like hope or freedom.
ex. Animal Farm is a _____ for the Russian Revolution
allegory
The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words.
ex. she sells sea shells by the sea shore
alliteration
A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. These can be historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical.
allusion
A word, phrase, sentence, or passage having multiple meanings–either intentional or unintentional.
ambiguity
A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. Can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with or pointing out its similarities to something more familiar.
analogy
The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.
ex. Charles rode his bike to the store
“his” refers to Charles
antecedent
A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle. Can be a memorable summation of the author’s point. (A well-known phrase).
ex. “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”
aphorism
A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction such as liberty or love; an address to someone/something that cannot answer.
ex. “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” (Romeo is not present, he cannot answer)
apostrophe
The emotional mood 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.
atmosphere
A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb.
clause
The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.
colloquialism
A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects. Displays intellectual cleverness as a result of the unusual comparison being made.
conceit
The non-literal associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning.
connotation
The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.
denotation
Related to style, refers to the writer’s word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.
diction
A work having the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially teaching moral or ethical principles.
didactic
A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.
ex. “passed away” rather than “died”
euphemism
A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.
extended metaphor
Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.
figurative language
A device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. Includes apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, metonymy, etc.
figure of speech
Term describing traditions for each genre. Help to define each genre.
ex. differentiates an essay from a journal
generic conventions
The major category into which a literary work fits.
genre
Usually a sermon, however it includes any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.
homily
A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement, often having a comic effect, sometimes producing irony.
hyperbole
