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

AP Language Concepts/Terms Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
4358387641AllegoryA story in verse or poem that has another meaning beyond the surface.0
4358396408AllusionA literary reference to a well-known person/place/event/idea for a comparison.1
4358398233AmbiguityAuthor leaves out information so reader must "fill-in-the-blanks"; creates uncertainty.2
4358401324AnalogyExplains one idea or concept by comparing it to something else.3
4359292985AlliterationSequential repetition of similar initial sound.4
4359294465AnaphoraRepetition of words at start of successive clauses.5
4358402468AnecdoteA short, narrative account of an amusing, unusual, or interesting event. (Used to clarify point or create a memorable image, or to humanize the author)6
4358405406AntecedentPhrase or clause referred to by a pronoun.7
4358406559AntithesisParallelism that emphasizes an opposition of ideas.8
4358410607AphorismA short, catchy statement that teaches a moral. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."9
4358412445ApostropheAddressing of a dead person or something not human.10
4359299251AssonanceRepetition of identical/similar vowel sounds.11
4359300642AsyndetonStyle where conjunctions are omitted.12
4358413327CaricatureA representation where the subject's distinctive features are deliberately exaggerated for comedic effect.13
4358415829ClauseA grammatical unit that has a subject and a verb.14
4359302979ConceitProlonged comparison of two unlikely things.15
4358417507Independent/Main ClauseA complete sentence (stand alone).16
4358419642Dependent/Subordinate ClauseSimilar to an independent clause, but lacks one of the elements that would make it a complete sentence.17
4358429844Colloquialism/Colloquial LanguageA term identifying the diction of the common, ordinary folks, especially in a specific region or area.18
4358436368ConnotationThe emotional implications evoked by a word or phrase.19
4359306605Deductive ReasoningArgument in which specific statements/conclusions are drawn from general principles; moves from general to specific.20
4358437001DenotationThe dictionary definition of a word.21
4358437761DictionWord choice.22
4358439013DidacticInstructive.23
4358439014EpithetA descriptive phrase that characterizes a person, place, or thing (like name-calling or "Man's Best Friend").24
4359309541EpistropheRepetition of a phrase at the end of sentences.25
4358441124EuphemismWhen you substitute a more pleasant word for an offensive one.26
4358442519Figurative LanguageEnglish not meant to be taken on a literal level.27
4358443703GenreA type of literature distinguished by style or form.28
4358444739HyperboleAn extreme exaggeration.29
4359314405HomilySermon, talk, lecture on moral or spiritual life.30
4358445341ImageryIntensely descriptive language that appeals to the senses (visual, olfactory, auditory, kinesthetic/tactile, or gustatory).31
4359316853Inductive ReasoningArgument in which general conclusions are drawn from specific facts.32
4358448715InferTo draw a reasonable conclusion from facts presented.33
4358450864InvectiveStrong, abusive language (more so insulting).34
4358451726InversionThe reversal of normal word order in a sentence (Yoda talk).35
4358459821IronyWhen the opposite of what you expect actually happens.36
4358461550JuxtapositionPlacing dissimilar ideas close together for comparison and contrast.37
4358467862Loose SentenceThe independent clause is first followed by dependent clauses.38
4359318994LitoteFigure of speech that emphasizes its subject by conscious understatement.39
4358470508MetaphorA direct comparison between two items.40
4359321195MetonymyFigure of speech in which an attribute/feature is used to name/designate something.41
4358471608ParadoxA statement that appears contradictory but is still true.42
4358476799ParallelismExpression of ideas of equal worth in the same grammatical fashion. Often in sets of 3 (I came, I saw, I conquered).43
4358486457ParodyMockery by imitation (of a particular work or style of an author).44
4358499532PedanticOverly scholarly, academic, bookish.45
4358529207Periodic SentenceDependent clauses first, and main/independent clause comes at the end.46
4358530924PersonaWhen an author creates a voice through which the story is told (ex. Mark Twain).47
4358532535PersonificationNon-human things given human characteristics.48
4358533396Point of ViewPerspective from which a story is told.49
4358534146ProseAny type of writing that isn't poetry.50
4358535084RhetoricEffective communication.51
4358542169Rhetorical AppealReasoned arguments in favor of or against particular beliefs/actions.52
4358546543LogosLogical appeals: rational arguments used to support your claim.53
4358547966EthosEthical appeals: based on character or reputation of speaker, identifying shared moral values with audience.54
4358561568PathosEmotional appeals: appeals to feelings or emotions; make audience care about the issue.55
4358563398Rhetorical ModesExposition- explanatory, argumentative, descriptive, narrative.56
4358573613Rhetorical StrategiesAll the strategies an author can use. (Structure/Organization, Purpose, and Style)57
4358580852Rhetorical QuestionA question posed for effect that does not expect a reply.58
4358581983SarcasmHarsh, bitter, cutting remark intended to wound.59
4358583007SatireUse of irony, wit, and humor to expose humanity's vices, giving impetus to change or reform- a form of corrective ridicule.60
4358586795SimileAn indirect comparison between two items (uses like or as)61
4358588918StyleThe distinctive way an author writes (language, structure, etc.)62
4358590143Stylistic DevicesThe things writers use to create their style.63
4358597209Subordinate ClauseA dependent clause.64
4358597673SyllogismSystem of formal logic that relies on deductive reasoning.65
4358598530SyntaxSentence Structure (Simple, Complex, Compound Sentence).66
4359326094SynecdocheWhen a part is used to signify a whole.67
4359273240ThemeThe main idea of a work, stated directly or indirectly (state in a complete sentence).68
4359275013ToneThe way a writer conveys his/her attitude in a piece of literature.69
4359276089UnderstatementUsing a lesser expression than what would be expected.70
4359277263Declarative SentenceIs assertive and makes a clear statement: "The king is sick."71
4359280294Imperative SentenceIs assertive and gives a command: "Stand up. Bow to the king."72
4359281711Interrogative SentenceAsks a question: "Is the king sick?"73
4359283238Exclamatory SentenceMakes an exclamation: "The king is dead!"74
4359285330JargonLanguage specific to a profession or activity.75

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!