AP Lang. Vocab 1-20

Question 1

Anecdote

Answer 1

a short, simple narrative of an incident, often used for humorous effect or to make a poiny

Question 2

Argumentation

Answer 2

writing that attempts to prove the validity of view or an idea by presenting “reasoned” arguments

Question 3

Allegory

Answer 3

an extended narrative of an incident in prose or verse which uses characters, events, or settings to represent abstract qualities and has an intentional underlying meaning (moral, religious, political, social, or satiric beneath the surfaced of the story

Question 4

Annotation `

Answer 4

explanatory notes added to a text to explain, cite sources, or give bibliographic data- will demonstrate DETAILED annotation on most of the AP Lang reading

Question 5

Antithesis

Answer 5

the presentation of 2 images that are balanced by word, phrase, clause, or paragraphs- “To be or not to be…”

Question 6

Rhetoric

Answer 6

the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques- CORE of AP Lang

Question 7

Colloquialism

Answer 7

a word or phrase used in everyday conversation and informal writing but is inappropriate in formal writing

Question 8

Connotation

Answer 8

words suggesting implied meaning because of its association in the reader’s mind- Opposite of denotation

Question 9

Consonance

Answer 9

repitition of identical consonant sounds within two or more word in close proximity: boot/beat/best/brag or even compound words, “fulfill”, “ping-pong”

Question 10

Caricature

Answer 10

descriptive writing that greatly exaggerates a specific feature of a person’s appearance or a facet of personality

Question 11

Coherence

Answer 11

the “quality” of a piece of writing in which all the parts contribute to the development of the central idea/theme or organizing principle

Question 12

Aphorism

Answer 12

a shortm often witty, statement of a principle or truth about life. Benjamin Franklin was somwhat famous for these in Poor Richard’s Almanac, e.g. “The early bird gets the worm.”

Question 13

Apostrophe

Answer 13

Usually in poetry, but sometimes in prose: the device of calling out to an imaginary, dead, or absent person or to a place, thing, or personified abstraction.

Question 14

Cacophony

Answer 14

also reffered to as DISSONANCE… hard, awkward, or dissonant sounds used deliberately in poetry or prose; the opposite of EUPHONY.

Question 15

Denotation

Answer 15

the “dictionary” meaning of a word

Question 16

Enumeration

Answer 16

the rhetorical device used for listing the details or a process of mentioning words or phrases step by step. In fact, it is a type of amplification or division in which a subject is further distributed into components or parts. Writers use this to clarify and detail understanding.

Question 17

Analogy

Answer 17

a comparison in which an idea or thing is compared to another thing that is quite different from it. It aims at explaining that idea or thing by comparing it to something similar. “The structure of an atom is like a solar system. Nucleus is the sun and electrons are the planets revolving around their sun.”

Question 18

Parallelism

Answer 18

the use of components in a sentence that are grammatically the same; or similar in their construction, sound, meaning or meter. “Like Father, Like Son” “The escaped prisoner is wanted dead or alive”

Question 19

Allusion

Answer 19

a brief and indirect refrence to a person, place, thing or idea of a historical, cultural, literary or political significance. It does not descrive in detail the person or thing to which it refers. It is just a passing comment and the writer expects the reader to possess enough knowledge to spot it and grasp its importance in a text.

Question 20

Metonymy

Answer 20

It is a figure of speech that replaces the name of a thing with the name of something else with which it is closely associated. We can come across examples of this both from literature and everyday life. Do not confuse this with a metaphor as this is NOT creating a comparison.

Question 21

Anaphora

Answer 21

In writing or speech, the deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect is known as this, possibly the oldest literary device, has roots in Biblical Psalms used to emphasize certain words or phrases. Gradually, Elizabethan and Romantic writers brought this device into practice.

Question 22

Epistrophe

Answer 22

This is derived from a Greek word that means “turning upon”, which indicates the same word returns at the end of each sentence. This is a stylish device that can be defined as the repetition of phrases or words at the end of the clauses or sentences. It is also called EPIPHORA. Examples are frequently found in literary pieces, in persuasive writing and speeches.

Question 23

Asyndeton

Answer 23

This is derived from a Greek word which means unconnected. It is a stylistic device used in literature and poetry to intentionally eliminate conjunctions between the phrases and in the sentence, yet maintain the grammatical accuracy. This literary tool helps in reducing the indirect meaning of the phrase and presents it in concise form. This helps in speeding up the rhythm of words. Mostly this technique is employed in speech but can be used in written works too.
“This is the villain among you who deceived you, who cheated you, who meant to betray you…”

Question 24

Polysyndeton

Answer 24

This term comes from a Greek word meaning “bound together”. It makes use of coordinating conjunctions like “and”, “or”, “but” and “nor” (mostly “and” and “or”) which are used

Question 25

Synecdoche

Answer 25

This is a literary device in which a part of something represents the whole or it may use a while to represent a part. Disgusting between this and metonymy often take some thoughtful consideration.The word “bread” refers to food or money as in “Writing is my bread and butter” or “sole breadwinner”

Question 26

Tone

Answer 26

This is an attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience. It is something important for the reader to “sense” to determine an argument. This is generally conveyed through the voice of words or the viewpoint of a writer on a particular subject.

Question 27

Process Analysis

Answer 27

A step-by-step breakdown of the phrases of a process, used to convey the details of each phase of thinking, an operation, etc. It is often used to improve understanding and also to break down an argument to make it more comprehensible.

Question 28

Syntax

Answer 28

This is a set of rules in a language. It dictates how words from different parts of speech are put together in order to convey a complete thought. In plain English, this refers to HOW we choose to arrange our words. The choice of those specific words is called DICTION. This the two are closely related in creating an argument.

Question 29

Classification

Answer 29

The action or process of classifying something according to shared qualities or characteristics. This often is a strategy of argumentation or an arguementatuve response in an effort to provide the reader with structure to YOUR arguement

Question 30

Understatement

Answer 30

The opposite of HYPERBOLE or OVERSTATEMENT

Question 31

Colorful Diction

Answer 31

A very purposeful word choice that will serve to accentuate meaning and tone.

Question 32

Counterargument

Answer 32

An argument or set of reasons put forward to oppose an idea or theory developed in another argument. When writing in the argumentative mode, it is MANDATORY that the writer acknowledge the “other” side to his or her argument. It is the part of the refutation of someone else’s claim to support his/her position, it is called making a claim. Different reasons are usually presented to prove why a certain point should be accepted as logical.

Question 33

Claim

Answer 33

If somebody gives an argument to support his/her position, it is called making a this. Different reasons are usually presented to prove why a certain point should be accepted as logical.

Question 34

Evidence

Answer 34

This is a type of literary device that appears in different categories of essays and theses in the form of paraphrase and quotations. It is presented to persuade the readers and used with powerful arguments in texts or essays. In rhetoric, when a person makes a this or presents an argument, he needs to present evidence, then the claim stands are squashed.

Question 35

Warrant

Answer 35

The glue that holds an argument together. It links the evidence to the claim. It says something like “this evidence supports the claim because…” and it is always in a similar form that is more of a statement of support of “WHY” your evidence supports your assertion/claim.

Question 36

Fallacy

Answer 36

This is an erroneous argument dependent upon an unsound or logical contention. There are many examples that we can find in every day conversations.

Question 37

Logical Fallacy

Answer 37

In argumentation, a formal fallacy (also called deductive fallacy) is a pattern of reasoning/thinking rendered invalid by a standard logic system, for example propositional logic. An argument that is formally fallacious is always considered wrong.

Question 38

Prophecy

Answer 38

“Forecast” of the future, and has a more religious connotation since there is no set time.

Question 39

Prediction

Answer 39

This is a forecast made by those who calculate the parameters of the subject involved after evaluating the odds that they can predict the future.

Question 40

Adage

Answer 40

This is a short, pointed and memorable saying based on facts, and it is considered a veritable truth by the majority of people. Famous examples become popular due to their usage over a long period of time. In fact, it is then excepted as a universal truth.
For instance: “God helps those who help themselves” is now considered a universal truth because of its usage throughout human history.

Question 41

Pedantic

Answer 41

This comes from a French word, pendant, means “ to teach or to act as a pedagogue.” This is someone who is concerned with precision, formalism, accuracy, my new details in order to make an arrogant and Austin sensuous show of learning.
Could be a writer, character, feelings, tone or words.

Question 42

Flippant

Answer 42

Lacking proper respect or seriousness. This is often associated with the impatience of youth.
Ex:
Syn: pert, smart, smart-aleck
Ant: earnest, sincere
Related words: Flighty, cheeky, cocky, fresh

Question 43

Evocative

Answer 43

The use of language that “suggests” meetings other than the denotative. Language that connects with emotions or feelings not associated with the actual meaning of the word.

Question 44

Syntactical Inversion

Answer 44

Also called anastrophe, in literary style and rhetoric, the syntactic reversal of the normal order of the words and phrases in a senates, as, in English, the placing of an adjective after the noun it modifies (“the form divine”), A verbal before its subject (“came the Dawn”)

Question 45

Apposition

Answer 45

Is a grammatical construction in which two elements, normally noun phrases, or placed side-by-side, with one element serving to identify the other in a different way. The two elements are said to be in apposition.

Question 46

Didactic

Answer 46

This word is frequently used for those literary texts which are overloaded was informative or realistic matter and are marked by the omission of graceful and pricing details. This, therefore, becomes a derogatory term referring to the forms of literature that are ostentatiously dull and erudite. However, some literary texts are entertaining as well as this.

Question 47

Conciet

Answer 47

This is a figure of speech in which to vastly different objects are linked together with the help with similes or metaphors. Thus, this can have a surprising or shocking effect on the readers because they are novel comparisons unlike the conventional comparisons made in similes and metaphors

Question 48

Periodic Sentence

Answer 48

This has the main clause or predicate at the end. This is used for emphasis and can be persuasive by putting reasons for something at the beginning before the final point was made. He can also create suspense or interest of the reader.

• “In spite of heavy snow and cold temperatures, the game continued.”
• “With low taxes, beautiful views in mild climate, this city is a great place to live.”

Question 49

Paradox

Answer 49

It is a statement that appears to be self-contradictory or silly but may include a latent truth. It is also used to illustrate an opinion or statement contrary to accepted traditional ideas. This is often used to make a reader think over an idea in an innovative way.

-“My enemy’s friend is my enemy”
“All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.”

Question 50

Irony

Answer 50

A figure of speech in school words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words. It may also be a situation that may end up in white a different way than what is generally anticipated. In simple words, it is the difference between the appearance and the reality.

“Go ask his name: If he be married.
My grave is like to be my wedding bed.”

Question 51

Parentheses

Answer 51

A stylistic device that comes from a Greek word, meaning to place or alongside. This is a qualifying or explanatory sentence, clause or word that writers insert into a paragraph or passage.

Helps explain, with ( ) or [ ] or even — —

Question 52

Sardonic

Answer 52

grimly mocking or cynical

Question 53

Satire

Answer 53

A technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society by using humor, irony, exaggeration or ridicule. Intends to improve humanity by criticizing its follies and foilables. A writer in this used fictional characters, which stand for real people, to expose and condemn their corruption. One current example of this writing was something spoken by Steve Colbert the other night on his show.

Question 54

Polemical

Answer 54

relating to or involving strongly critical, controversial, or disputatious writing or speech.

Question 55

Ambiguity

Answer 55

This or fallacy of this is a word, phrase, or statement which contains more than one meaning. Skilled writers use this with purpose and intent.

Question 56

Archetype

Answer 56

This, also known as universal symbol, may be a character, a theme, a symbol or even a setting. Many literary critics are of the opinion that this has a common and recurring representation in a particular human culture or entire human race, shape the structure and function of a literary work.

Question 57

Function of Archetype

Answer 57

The use of these characters in situations gives a literary work are universal acceptance, as readers identify the characters and situations in their social and cultural context.
-By using this, the writers attempt to impart realism into their works, as the situations in characters are drawn from the experiences of the world.

Question 58

Tragic Flaw

Answer 58

This is a literary device that can be defined as a trait in a character leading to his downfall and the character is often the hero of the literary peace. This trait could be the lack of self-knowledge, lack of judgment and often is the hubris (pride).

Question 59

Assertion

Answer 59

When someone makes a statement investing his strong belief in it, as if it is true though it may not be, he is making this. This is a stylistic approach or technique involving a strong declaration, a forceful or confident and positive statement regarding a belief or a fact. Often it is without a proof or any support. It’s purpose is to express ideas or feelings directly.