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

AP Language Literary Terms, AP Language terms Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
8460334880Cumulative (Loose) Sentencebegins with a main clause that is followed by phrases and/or clauses that modify the main clause. These phrases or clauses add information to the main or independent clause.0
8460334881Periodic Sentencea sentence that, by leaving the completion of its main clause to the end, produces an effect of suspense.1
8460334882Litotes/Understatementa figure of speech in which a negative statement is used to affirm a positive statement.2
8460334883Warrantexpresses the assumption necessarily shared by the speaker and the audience.3
8460334884Ethosan appeal to ethics and it is a means of convincing someone of the character or credibility of the persuader.4
8460334885Pathosan appeal to emotion, and is a way of convincing an audience of an argument by creating an emotional response.5
8460334886Logosan appeal to logic, and is a way of persuading an audience by reason.6
8460334887Concessionan acknowledgement that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable.7
8460334888SyllogismA logical structure that uses the major premise and minor premise to reach a necessary conclusion.8
8460334889Major premisecontains the term that is the predicate of the conclusion.9
8460334890Minor premisecontains the term that is the subject of the conclusion.10
8460334891Inductiona logical process wherein you reason from particulars to universal, using specific cases in order to draw a conclusion, which is also called a generalization.11
8460334892Deductiona logical process wherein you reach a conclusion by starting with a general principle or universal truth (a major premise).12
8460334893Equivocationa fallacy of argument in which a lie is given the appearance of truth, or in which the truth is misrepresented in deceptive language.13
8460334894Refutationa denial of the validity of an opposing argument.14
8460334895Dictiona speaker's choice of words. Analysis of diction looks at these choices and what they add to the speaker's message.15
8460334896Similea figure of speech used to explain or clarify an idea by comparing it explicitly to something else, using words like, as, or as though.16
8460334897Metaphorfigure of speech that compares two unlike things without using like or as.17
8460334898Anaphorathe intentional repetition of beginning clauses in order to create an artistic effect.18
8460334899Rhetoricit is the art of finding ways of persuading an audience.19
8460334900Rhetorical Trianglespeaker-subject-audience20
8460334901Allusionbrief reference to a person, event, or place (real or fictitious) to to a work of art.21
8460334902Hyperboledeliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or to produce a comic or ironic effect; an overstatement to make a point.22
8460334903Personificationattribution of a lifelike quality to an inanimate object or an idea.23
8460334904Asyndetonomission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.24
8460334905Polysyndetonthe deliberate use of multiple conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses or words.25
8460334906Parallelismsimilarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses.26
8460334907Antithesisopposition, or contrast or ideas or words in a parallel construction.27
8460334908Enumerationto mention separately as if in counting; name one by one; specify, as in list28
8460334909Rhetorical QuestionFigure of speech in the form of a question posed for the rhetorical effect rather than for the purpose of getting an answer. Ex.) Are you stupid?29
8460334910Chiasmusthe reversal in the order of words in two otherwise parallel phrases. Ex.) He went to the country, the country went to him.30
8460334911RebuttalIn the Toulon model, a rebuttal gives voice to possible objections.31
8460334912Fallacy of Argumenta flaw in the structure of an argument that renders its conclusion invalid or suspect.32
8460334913Bandwagon Appeala fallacy of argument in which a course of action is recommended on the grounds that everyone else is following it.33
8460334914Begging the Questiona fallacy of argument in which a claim is based on the very grounds that are in doubt or dispute.34
8460334915Anecdotea brief story used to illustrate a point or claim.35
8460334916Modes of DisclosureExposition- illustrates a point Narration- tells a story Description- creates a sensory image Argumentation- takes a position on an issue and defends it.36
8460334917Examplea specific event, person, or detail of an idea cited and/or developed to support or illustrate a thesis or topic.37
8460334918Contrast/ Comparisona method of presenting similarities and differences between or among at least two persons, places, things, ideas, etc. may be organized by: Subject by subject Point by point Combination38
8460334919Cause and Effectestablishes a relationship: B is the result of A.39
8460334920Classificationseparates items into major categories and details the characteristics of each group is placed within the category.40
8460334921Processsimply "how to" do something is done. It can have one of two purposes. It can either give instructions or inform the reader about how something is done.41
8460334922Definitionidentifies the class to which a specific term belongs and those characteristics which make it different from all the other items in that class.42
8460334923Narrationis nothing more than storytelling. There is a beginning, a middle, and an end.43
8460334924Descriptionwriting that appeals to the senses. It can be objective, which is scientific or clinical, or it can be impressionistic, which tries to involve the reader's emotions or feelings.44
8460334925Dogmatism`a fallacy of argument in which a claim is supported on the grounds that it's the only conclusion acceptable within a given community.45
8460334926False Dilemma or Dichotomya fallacy of argument in which a complicated issue is misrepresented as offering only two possible alternatives, one of which is often made to seem vastly preferable to the other.46
8460334927False authoritya fallacy of argument in which a claim is based on the expertise of someone who lacks appropriate credentials.47
8460334928Faulty causalitya fallacy of argument making the unwarranted assumption that because one event follows another, the first event causes the second. Also called post hoc, ergo propter hoc, this forms the basis of many superstitions.48
8460334929Hasty generalizationa fallacy of argument in which an inference is drawn from insufficient data.49
8460334930Non sequitora fallacy of argument in which claims, reasons, or warrants fail to connect logically; one point doesn't follow from another.50
8460334931AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. A story in which each aspect of the story has a symbolic meaning outside the tale itself.51
8460334932AlliterationThe repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words (as in "she sells sea shells").52
8460334933AllusionA direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art.53
8460334934AmbiguityThe multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.54
8460334935AnalogyA similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.55
8460334936AntecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.56
8460334937Antithesisthe opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite.57
8460334938AphorismA terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle. (If the authorship is unknown, the statement is generally considered to be a folk proverb.)58
8460334939ApostropheA prayer like figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. It is an address to someone or something that cannot answer.59
8460334940AtmosphereThe emotional nod created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting and partly by the author's choice of objects that are described.60
8460334941Caricaturea verbal description, the purpose of which is to exaggerate or distort, for comic effect, a person's distinctive physical features or other characteristics.61
8460334942ClauseA grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb.62
8460334943Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.63
8460334944Literary ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects; displays intellectual cleverness through unusual comparisons that make good sense64
8460334945ConnotationThe non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning.65
8460334946DenotationThe strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.66
8460334947DictionRelated to style, diction refers to the writer's word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.67
8460334948DidacticFrom the Greek, didactic literally means "teaching."68
8460334949EuphemismFrom the Greek for "good speech," euphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept - POLITICALLY CORRECT69
8460334950Extended MetaphorA metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.70
8460334951Figurative LanguageWriting or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid71
8460334952Figure of speechA device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. Figures of speech include apotrophe hyperbole irony metaphor oxymoron paradox personification simile syneddoche understatement72
8460334953GenreThe major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama.73
8460334954HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.74
8460334955HyperboleA figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. (The literal Greek meaning is "overshoot.")75
8460334956ImageryThe sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.76
8460334957Inference/inferTo draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.77
8460334958Invectivean emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.78
8460334959Irony/ironicThe contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant, or the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true.79
8460334960Loose sentence/non-periodic sentenceA type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses.80
8460334961MetaphorA figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity.81
8460334962MetonymyA figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.82
8460334963MoodThe prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work.83
8460334964NarrativeThe telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.84
8460334965onomatopoeiaA figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words.85
8460334966OxymoronOxymoron is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.86
8460334967ParadoxA statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity.87
8460334968Parallelismthe use of successive verbal constructions in poetry or prose that correspond in grammatical structure, sound, meter, meaning, etc.88
8460334969ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.89
8460334970PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish (language that might be described as "show-offy"; using big words for the sake of using big words).90
8460334971Periodic sentenceThe opposite of loose sentence, a sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end.91
8460334972PersonificationA figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions.92
8460334973Point of viewIn literature, the perspective from which a story is told.93
8460334974Prosewritten or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure.94
8460334975RepetitionThe duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern.95
8460334976RhetoricFrom the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.96
8460334977SarcasmInvolves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something.97
8460334978SatireA work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule.98
8460334979Subordinate clauseLike all clauses, this word group contains both a subject and a verb (plus any accompanying phrases or modifiers), but unlike the independent clause, this clause cannot stand alone; it does not express a complete thought.99
8460334980SyllogismA deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises (the first one called "major" and the second called "minor") that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.100
8460334981Symbol/symbolismGenerally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else.101
8460334982SyntaxThe way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.102
8460334983ThemeThe central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life.103
8460334984ThesisThe sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position.104
8460334985ToneDescribes the author's attitude toward his material, the audience, or both.105
8460334986TransitionA word or phrase that links different ideas. Used especially, although not exclusively, in expository and argumentative writing, effectively signal a shift from one idea to another.106
8460334987Understatementthe ironic minimalizing of fact; presents something as less significant than it is.107
8460334988Witin modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights.108
8460334989Slippery SlopeThis is the failure to provide evidence to support a claim that one event will lead to a catastrophic chain of events.109
8460334990straw manWhen a writer argues against a claim that nobody actually holds or is universally considered weak.110
8460334991EthosAn appeal to credibility. The writer is seeking to convince you that he or she has the background, history, skills, and/or expertise to speak on the issue.111
8460334992JuxtapositionMaking on idea more dramatic by placing it next to its opposite.112
8460334993LogosAn appeal to reason.113
8460334994PathosAn appeal to emotion.114
8460334995Rhetorical QuestionA question whose answer is assumed.115
8460334996SimileA critical figure of speech in an argument when what is unknown is compared to something that is known using the word "like," "as," or "than" in order to better perceive its importance.116
8460334997rhetorical appealthe persuasive devices by which a writer tries to sway an audience's attention and response to any given work. See logos, ethos, and pathos.117
8460334998descriptive detailWhen an essay uses this phrase, look for the writer's sensory description.118
8460334999devicesThe figures of speech, syntax, diction, and other stylistic elements that collectively produce a particular artistic effect.119
8460335000narrative devicesThis term describes the tools of the storyteller (also used in nonfiction), such as ordering events so that they build to a climactic moment or withholding information until a crucial or appropriate moment when revealing it creates a desired effect. On the essay portion of the exam, this term may also apply to biographical and autobiographical writing.120
8460335001narrative techniquesThe style of telling the "story," even if the passage is nonfiction. Concentrate on the order of events and on their detail in evaluating a writer's technique.121
8460335002Ad hominem argumentAn argument attacking an individual's character rather than his or her position on an issue122
8460335003AnaphoraFigure of repetition that occurs when the first word or set of words in one sentence, clause, or phrase is/are repeated at or very near the beginning of successive sentences, clauses, or phrases; repetition of the initial words over successive phrases or clauses123
8460335004AnecdoteA brief story that illustrates or makes a point124
8460335005Appeal to authorityA fallacy in which a speaker or writer seeks to persuade not by giving evidence but by appealing to the respect people have for a famous person or institution.125
8460335006Argumentationone of the four forms of discourse which uses logic, ethics, and emotional appeals (logos, ethos, pathos) to develop an effective means to convince the reader to think or act in a certain way.126
8460335007AssonanceRepetition of a vowel sound within two or more words in close proximity127
8460335008AsyndetonA series of words separated by commas (with no conjunction).128
8460335009toneA speaker's, author's, or character's disposition toward or opinion of a subject.129
8460335010audienceOne's listener or readership; those to whom a speech or piece of writing is addressed.130
8460335011Balanced sentenceA sentence in which words, phrases, or clauses are set off against each other to emphasize a contrast131
8460335012Begging the questionOften called circular reasoning, __ occurs when the believability of the evidence depends on the believability of the claim.132
8460335013understatement"I have to have this operation. It isn't very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain." Holden Caulfield, Catcher in the Rye133
8460335014parallelism"My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." John F. Kennedy134
8460335015allusionThe rise in poverty will unlock the Pandora's box of crimes.135
8460335016hyperbole"I'll love you, dear, I'll love you/Till China and Africa meet,/And the river jumps over the mountain"136
8460335017aphorism"Having nothing, nothing can he lose."137
8460335018metonymy"Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears." Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Act I138
8460335019invective"I cannot but conclude the bulk of your natives to be the most pernicious race of little odious vermin that nature ever suffered to crawl upon the surface of the earth." Jonathan Swift Gulliver's Travels139
8460335020antithesis"To err is human; to forgive divine." Alexander Pope "An Essay on Criticism"140
8460335021euphemism"I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs." William Shakespeare Othello141
8460335022periodic sentenceIn spite of heavy snow and cold temperatures, the game continued.142
8460335023paradox"Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it." -Gandhi143
8460335024alliteration"His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living and the dead."144
8460335025chiasmus"he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling"145
8460335026oxymoron"Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing. / Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, / That I shall say good night till it be morrow."146
8460335027personification"Pearl Button swung on the little gate in front of the House of Boxes. It was the early afternoon of a sunshiny day with little winds playing hide-and-seek in it."147
8460335028onomatopoeia"He saw nothing and heard nothing but he could feel his heart pounding and then he heard the clack on stone and the leaping, dropping clicks of a small rock falling."148
8460335029inverted syntax"Patience you must have, my young padawan."149
8460335030spatial description"In my pantry, coffee, tea powder, and sugar have been kept in the top shelf. Flour, canned food, and dry pasta are on the second shelf."150

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!