AP Notes, Outlines, Study Guides, Vocabulary, Practice Exams and more!

AP English Glossary Mr.Snodgrass PART 1

Terms : Hide Images
215502426Abstract LanguageDescribes ideas/qualities rather than observable/specific things, people, or places. The observable or "physical" is usually described in concrete language
215502427Active VoiceThe subject of the sentence performs the action (More direct/preferred style in writing... See PASSIVE VOICE also)
215502428AllusionIndirect reference to something with which the reader is supposed to be familiar
215502429AmbiguityEvent or situation that may be interpreted in 1+ ways. Artful language= ambiguous Unintentional: vagueness
215502430AnalogyComparison to a directly parallel case.
215502431AnecdoteBrief recounting of a relevant episode (i.e: flashback?)
215502432AnnotationNotes added to text to explain, clarify + prompt further thought
215502433AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. I.e: What is "it" referring to
215502434ApostropheFigure of speech that directly addresses an absent/imaginary person/personified abstraction. I.e: liberty/love. May add familiarity/emotional intensity
215502435Attitude of AuthorSAME AS TONE
215502436ClassicismArt/literature characterized by realistic view of people and the world; traditional themes+structures (See romanticism)
215502437Concrete LanguageLanguage that describes specific, observable things, people or places; rather than ideas or qualities (Opposite of Abstract Language)
215502438PersuasiveMode of discourse
215502439ExpositoryMode of discourse
215502440Narrative(historical) Discourse
215502441DescriptiveMode of discourse
215502442DictionWord Choice
215502443ColloquialOrdinary/familiar type of conversation. "Colloquialism" = a common or familiar type of saying. Similar to adage/anaphora
215502444ConnotationImplied meaning rather than literal meaning
215502445DenotationLiteral, explicit meaning of a word w/o connotations
215502446JargonDiction used by a group of similar profession
215502447Vernacular1.Language or dialect in particular country 2. Language/dialect of regional clan/group 3. Everyday speech
215502448DidacticDescribes fiction, nonfiction or poetry that teaches specific lesson/moral to provide model of correct behavior/thinking
215502449AdageFolk saying w/ lesson "Rolling stone gathers no moss" Similar to aphorism and colloqualism
215502450AllegoryStory, fictional, non fictional, in which characters, things and events represent qualities or concepts. Interaction of characters, things and events = reveals abstraction or a truth. Animal Farm
215502451AphorismTerse statement which expresses a general truth or moral principle. Can be a memorable summation of the author's point
215502452Homily"Sermon" Any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice
215502453EllipsisDeliberate omission of a word or phrase from prose done for effect by the author
215502454EpigramShort poem with a clever twist at the end, or concise and witty statement
215502455EpigraphQuotation or aphorism in the beginning of a literary work with suggestive of theme
215502456EuphenismMore agreeable or less offensive sub. for generally unpleasant words/concepts. I.e: Physically challenged lolol
215502457ExplicationInterpreting or discovering the meaning of a text. Attention to close reading and use of rhetorical devices

Need Help?

We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.

If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.

Need Notes?

While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!