AP Notes 1-20 Flashcards
A short, simple narrative of an incident, often used for humorous effect or to make a point.
Anecdote
Writing that attempts to prove the validity of a point of view or an idea by presenting “reasoned” arguments; persuasive writing is a form of argumentation and is the focus of the AP Language and Composition program.
Argumentation
An extended narrative of an incident in prose or verse in which the writer intends a second meaning to be read beneath the surface of the story; the underlying meaning may be moral, religious, political, social, or satiric.
“All animals are equal but some are more equal than others.”
Allegory
Explanatory notes added to a text to explain, cite sources, or give bibliographic data. In AP Language you will need to demonstrate DETAILED annotations on most of your readings.
Annotation
The presentation of two contrasting images. The ideas are balanced by word, phrase, clause, or paragraphs. “To be or not to be…”, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” - Neil Armstrong
“Man proposes, God disposes.”
Antithesis
The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques. CORE of AP Language program
Rhetoric
A word or phrase (including slang) used in everyday conversion and informal writing but that is often inappropriate in formal writing. (y’all, ain’t, can’t, somethin’)
Colloquialism
Word suggesting implied meaning because of its association in a reader’s mind. This is the opposite of “denotation.”
“Shall I Compare Thee to a Midsummer’s day?”
Connotation
Repetition of identical consonant sounds within two or more words in close proximity: boot/beat/best/brag, or even compound words, fulfill, ping-pong.
Consonance
Descriptive writing that greatly exaggerates a specific feature of a person’s appearance or a facet of personality.
Caricature
The “quality” of a piece of writing in which all the parts contribute to the development of the central idea/theme or organizing principle.
Coherence
A short, often witty, statement of a principle or truth about life. Benjamin Franklin was somewhat famous for these in Poor Richard’s Almanac, e.g. “The early bird gets the worm.”
Aphorism
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.
Ex: Natasha calling out for Andrey when he is out in battle.
“Twinkle, twinkle, little star…”
Apostrophe
Also referred to as dissonance… hard, awkward, or dissonant sounds used deliberately in poetry or prose, the opposite of Euphony.
Cacophony
The literal meaning of word in regards to its dictionary definition.
Denotation
