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

AP Language and Composition Key Terminology Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
10305529333allegorya narrative in which the characters. behavior, and even setting demonstrate multiple levels of meaning and significance; a universal symbol or personified abstraction0
10305529334alliterationthe sequential repetition of a similar initial sound, usually applied to consonants, usually in closely proximate stressed syllables1
10305529335allusiona literary, historical, religious, or mythical reference2
10305529336anaphorathe regular repetition of the same words or phrases at the beginning of successive phrases or clauses3
10305529337antithesisthe juxtaposition of sharply contrasting words or ideas in balanced or parallel words, phrases, grammatical structure or ideas4
10305529338aphorisma concise statement designed to make a point or illustrate a commonly held belief5
10305529339apostrophean address or invocation to something inanimate6
10305529340appeals to... authority, emotion, or logicrhetorical arguments in which the speaker claims to be an authority or expert in a field, or attempts to play upon the emotions, or appeals to the use of reason7
10305529341assonancethe repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds, usually in successive or proximate words8
10305529342asyndetona syntactical structure in which conjunctions are omitted in a series, usually producing more rapid prose9
10305529343attitudethe sense expressed by the tone of voice and/or mood of a piece of writing; the authors feelings toward his or her subject, characters, events, or theme10
10305529344begging the questionan argumentative ploy where the arguer sidesteps the question or the conflict, evades or ignores the real question11
10305529345canonthat which has been accepted as authentic12
10305529346chiasmusa figure of speech and generally a syntactical structure wherein the order of the terms in the first half of a parallel clause is reversed in the second13
10305529347claimin argumentation, an assertion of something as fact14
10305529348colloquiala term identifying the diction of common, ordinary folks, especially in a specific region or area15
10305529349comparison and contrasta mode of discourse in which two or more things are compared, contrasted, or both16
10305529350connotationthe implied, suggested, or underlying meaning of a word or phrase; opposite of denotation17
10305529351Conceita comparison of two unlikely things that is drawn out within a piece of literature, in particular an extended metaphor within a poem; can also be used in non-fiction and prose18
10305529352consonanceThe repetition of two or more consonants with a change in the intervening vowels19
10305529353conventionan accepted manner, model, or tradition20
10305529354critiquean assessment or analysis of something, such as a passage of writing, for the purpose of the determining what it is, what its limitations are. and how it conforms to the standard of the genre21
10305529355deductive reasoning (deduction)the method of argument in which specific statements and conclusions are drawn from general principles: movement from the general to the specific, in contrast to inductive reasoning (induction)22
10305529356dialectthe language and speech idiosyncrasies of a specific area, region, or group of people23
10305529357dictionthe specific word choice an author uses to persuade or convey tone, purpose, or effect24
10305529358didactic(meaning "good teaching") when writing or speech has an instructive purpose or a lesson; often associated with a dry, pompous presentation, regardless of its innate value to the reader25
10305529359elegya poem or prose that LAMENTS, or meditates upon the death of a person; may end with words of consolation26
10305529360epistrophein rhetoric, the repetition of a phrase at the end of successive sentences27
10305529361epitaphwriting in praise of a dead person, most inscribed upon a headstone28
10305529362ethosin rhetoric, the appeal of text to the credibility and character of the speaker, writer, or narrator29
10305529363euphemismAn indirect, kinder, less harsh or hurtful way of expressing unpleasant information30
10305529364expositionthe interpretation or analysis of a text31
10305529365eulogya speech or written passage in PRAISE of a person; an oration in honor of a deceased person32
10305529366extended metaphora series of comparisons within a piece of writing; if consistently one concept = conceit33
10305529367figurative languagecontains levels of meaning expressed through figures of speech such as personification, metaphor, hyperbole, irony, oxymoron, litote34
10305529368flashbackan earlier event is inserted into the normal chronology of the narration (retrospection)35
10305529369genrea type of class of literature, such as epic, narrative, poetry, biography, history36
10305529370homilya sermon, but more contemporary uses include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual life37
10305529371hyperboleoverstatement characterized by exaggerated language, usually to make a point of draw attention38
10305529372imagerybroadly defined, any sensory detail or evocation in a work; more narrowly, the use of figurative language to evoke a feeling, call to mind an idea, or to describe an object39
10305529373inductive reasoning (induction)the method of reasoning or argument in which general statements and conclusions are drawn from specific principals: movement from the specific to the general; a general supposition is made after investigation specific instances, a common logic used in study40
10305529374inferencea conclusion or proposition arrived at by considering facts, observations, or some other specific data41
10305529375ironythe contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant; often suggesting light sarcasm; verbal,situational and dramatic42
10305529376isocolonparallel structure in which the parallel elements are similar not only in grammatical structure, but also in length43
10305529377jargonspecialized or technical language of a trade, profession, or similar group44
10305529378juxtapositionthe location of one thing adjacent to another to create an effect, reveal an attitude, or accomplish some other purpose45
10305529379litotea figure of speech that emphasizes its subject by conscious understatement46
10305529380loose sentencea long sentence that starts with its main clause followed by many dependent clauses and modifying phrases (a term from syntax)47
10305529381metaphorone thing pictured as if it were something else, suggesting a likeness or analogy; direct comparison48
10305529382metonymya figure of speech in which an attribute or commonly associated feature is used to name or designate something49
10305529301mode of discoursethe way in which information is presented in written or spoken form; narration, description, exposition (cause and effect, process analysis, comparison and contrast), and argumentation50
10305529302mooda feeling or ambience resulting from the tine of a piece as well as the writer/narrator's attitude and point of view; a feeling that establishes the atmosphere in a work of literature or other discourse51
10305529303narrativea mode of discourse that tells a story of some sort and is based on sequences of connected events, usually presented in a straightforward, chronological framework52
10305529304onomatopoeiaa word capturing or approximating the sound of what it describes; to make a passage more effective for the reader and listener53
10305529305oxymorona figure of speech that combines two apperently contradictory elements54
10305529306paradoxa statement that seems contradictory but is actually true55
10305529307parallel structurethe use of similar forms in writing nouns, verbs, phrases, or thoughts56
10305529308pathosthe element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow57
10305529309periodic sentencea long sentence in which the main clause is not completed until the end58
10305529310PersonificationTreating an abstraction or nonhuman object as if it were a person by enfowing it human features or qualities.59
10305529311point of viewthe relation in which a narrator/author stands to a subject of discourse; requires the reader to establish the historical perspective of what is being said60
10305529312prosethe ordinary form of written language without metrical structure in contrast to verse and poetry61
10305529313realismattempting to describe nature and life without idealization and with attention to detail62
10305529314rebuttle/refutationan argument technique wherein opposing arguments are anticipated and countered63
10305529315rhetoricthe art of using words to persuade in writing or speaking64
10305529316rhetorical questiona question that is asked simply for the sake of stylistic effect and its not expected to be answered65
10305529317sarcasma form of verbal irony in which apparent praise is actually critical; can be light and gently poke fun at something or be harsh, caustic, and mean66
10305529318satirea literary work that holds up human failings to ridicule and censure67
10305529319similea direct, explicit comparison of one thing to another, usually using the words like or as to draw the connection68
10305529320styleThe manner in which an author combines and arranges words, shapes ideas, and utilizes syntax and structure69
10305529321symbolismuse of a person, place, thing, event, or pattern that figuratively represents or stands for something else70
10305529322synecdochea figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole71
10305529323syntaxthe way words are put together to form phrases, clauses, and sentences; sentence structure and how it influences the way the reader receives a particular piece of writing72
10305529324themethe central of dominant idea or focus of work; the statement a passage makes about its subject73
10305529325tonethe attitude the narrator/writer takes toward a subject and theme; the tenor of a piece writing based on particular stylistic devices employed by the writer74
10305529326voicethe acknowledged or unacknowledged source of the words of the story; the speaker's or narrator's particular "take" on an idea based on particular passage and how all the elements of the style of the piece come together to express his or her feelings75
10305529327zeugmaa grammatically correct construction in which a word, usually a verb or adjective, is applied to two or more nouns without being repeated; often used to comic effect76

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!