AP Language Terms

Question 1

Rhetoric/Rhetorical triangle

Answer 1

Effective, persuasive, and eloquent language use. Audience <-> writer <-> subject <-^ with context and purpose

Question 2

Alliteration

Answer 2

Reposition of consonant sounds. “My beautiful Annabel lee”

Question 3

Allusion

Answer 3

An indirect reference to something outside of the text. Example: Code lyoko (TV) mentioning “missing an episode” and then recapping the last episode.

Question 4

Ambiguity

Answer 4

Unclear; 2 or more possible meanings or interpretations. “‘I’m hungry’ ‘Hello hungry I’m dad’”

Question 5

Analogy

Answer 5

An extended metaphor or comparison between two seemingly dissimilar things. “An artist is a geode with gems inside”

Question 6

Anaphora

Answer 6

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of multiple sentences in a section of writing. “I believe” poem

Question 7

Antithesis

Answer 7

Parallel structure that compares contrasting ideas. Opposing ideas being put against each other. “To err is human; to forgive: divine”

Question 8

Aphorism

Answer 8

A short, astute statement of general truth. “Words have power” “Normal is all relative”

Question 9

Apostrophe

Answer 9

Addressing an absent person or concept. “You had to go and screw up the dishes, Peter. Thanks a lot”

Question 10

Bias

Answer 10

Prejudice or predisposition toward one side of a subject or issue (usually due to personal experience). “I have a bias towards real Christmas trees”

Question 11

Claim

Answer 11

A statement that asserts a belief or truth.

Question 12

Cliché

Answer 12

An overused expression.

Question 13

Colloquial/coloquialism

Answer 13

Distinctive language of a certain time or place. “Lift for elevator from Britain”

Question 14

Concession

Answer 14

A reluctant acknowledgement or yielding. “To concede” “I admit you have a good point there, BUT…”

Question 15

Connotation

Answer 15

The implied definition of a word that creates tone. “Cramped vs cozy” imply different things

Question 16

The appeals

Answer 16

Ethos, logos, pathos

Question 17

Deduction

Answer 17

Arguing/reasoning from general to specific \ /. Opposite of induction.

Question 18

Denotation

Answer 18

Literal/dictionary meaning of a word. Opposite of connotation

Question 19

Diction

Answer 19

The author’s choice of words

Question 20

Double entendre

Answer 20

Double meaning of a group of words that the writer has purposefully left ambiguous

Question 21

Elegiac 💚

Answer 21

Mournful tone over what has passed or been lost. Tone word

Question 22

Epigram

Answer 22

A brief, witty statement. “If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they’ll kill you.” - Oscar Wilde

Question 23

Epithet

Answer 23

A word or phrase adding a characteristic to a thing or person’s name. “Alexander the Great”

Question 24

Ethos

Answer 24

Appeal that focuses on the credibility of a person and shared values between audience and speaker.

Question 25

Euphemism

Answer 25

A word that’s serves as a substitute for an unpleasant word. “Bob has passed away”

Question 26

Exigence

Answer 26

An issue, problem or situation that causes or prompts someone to write or speak. Occasion in soapstone

Question 27

Figurative language

Answer 27

Figures of speech that go beyond literal meaning to achieve literary effect. Metaphors, similes, personification, hyperbole, etc.

Question 28

Grounds

Answer 28

The material a writer uses to support a claim. Evidence, appeals, + reasoning

Question 29

Hyperbole

Answer 29

Exaggeration for emphasis. “My feet are killing me”

Question 30

Imagery

Answer 30

Words that appeal to a reader’s senses (sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing)

Question 31

Induction

Answer 31

Reasoning from specific to general / \ . Opposite of deduction.

Question 32

Inference

Answer 32

Reasonable conclusion drawn from information presented.

Question 33

Invective 💚

Answer 33

Spiteful, angry, language. Tone word

Question 34

Inversion

Answer 34

A sentence in which the verb proceeds the subject. Yoda speak. “Never have I experienced something more frightening”