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

AP Language terms 1-6 Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
9460510712AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning.0
9460510713Alliterationthe repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words.1
9460510714AllusionA direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly know.2
9460510715AmbiguityThe multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.3
9460555514AnadiplosisThe repetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the following clause4
9460510716AnalogyA similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.5
9460510717AnaphoraThe same expression is repeated at the beginning of two or more lines , clauses, or sentences.6
9460510718AnecdoteOffering a brief narrative episode. This device can serve many functions in a text—for example, introducing an issue, serving as evidence, to illustrate a point, and so on.7
9460510719AntecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. The AP language exam occasionally asks for the antecedent of a given pronoun in a long, complex sentence or in a group of sentences.8
9460510720AntithesisThe opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite.9
9460510721AphorismA 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.) An aphorism can be a memorable summation of the author's point.10
9460510722ApostropheA 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. The effect may add familiarity or emotional intensity.11
9460510723ArgumentThe combination of reasons, evidence, etc that an author uses to convince an audience of their position.12
9460510724Aristotelian AppealsThree different methods of appealing to an audience to convince them—ethos, logos, and pathos.13
9460510725AtmosphereThe 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. Even such elements as a description of the weather can contribute to the atmosphere. Frequently atmosphere foreshadows events. Perhaps it can create a mood.14
9460510726AttitudeThe writer's personal views or feelings about the subject at hand.15
9460510727AudienceWho the author is directing his or her message towards16
9460510728CaricatureA verbal description, the purpose of which is to exaggerate or distort, for comic effect, a person's distinctive physical features or other characteristics.17
9460510729ClauseA grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb. An independent, or main, clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent, or subordinate clause, cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent clause. The point that you want to consider is the question of what or why the author subordinates one element should also become aware of making effective use of subordination in your own writing.18
9460510730Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing. Not generally acceptable for formal writing, colloquialisms give a work a conversational, familiar tone. Colloquial expressions in writing include local or regional dialects.19
9460510731Compare & ContrastDiscussing the similarities and differences between two things to some persuasive or illustrative purpose.20
9460510732ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects. A conceit displays intellectual cleverness as a result of the unusual comparison being made.21
9460510733ConcessionAgreeing with the opposing viewpoint on a certain smaller point (but not in the larger argument).22
9460510734ConnotationThe implied meaning of a word; words can broadly have positive, negative, or neutral connotations.23
9460510735ContextThe extra-textual environment in which the text is being delivered.24
9460510736CounterargumentThe argument(s) against the author's position.25
9460510737Deductive ReasoningA form of logical reasoning wherein a general principle is applied to a specific case.26
9460510738DenotationThe literal, dictionary-definition meaning of a word.27
9460510739DidacticA text with an instructive purpose, often moral.28
9460510740DictionThe style of language used; generally tailored to be appropriate to the audience and situation.29
9460510741EthosSetting up a source as credible and trustworthy.30
9460510742EuphemismReferring to something with a veiled phrase instead of saying it directly31
9460510743EvidenceThe information presented meant to persuade the audience of the author's position.32
9460510744ExemplificationProviding examples in service of a point.33
9460510745Figurative LanguageThe use of language in a non-literal way; i.e. metaphor, simile, etc.34
9460510746Generic ConventionsThis term describes traditions for each genre. These conventions help to define each genre; for example, they differentiate an essay and journalistic writing or an autobiography and political writing. On the AP language exam, try to distinguish the unique features of a writer's work from those dictated by convention.35
9460510747GenreThe specific type of work being presented.36
9460510748HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.37
9460510749HyperboleOverstating a situation for humorous or dramatic effect.38
9460510750IdiomA commonly used phrase that signifies something very different than its literal meaning.39
9460510751ImageryAny descriptive language used to evoke a vivid sense or image of something; includes figurative language.40
9460510752ImplicationWhen something is suggested without being concretely stated.41
9460510753Inductive ReasoningMaking a generalization based on specific evidence at hand.42
9460510754InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.43
9460510755IronyAt the most basic sense, saying the opposite of what you mean; also used to describe situations in which the results of an action are dramatically different than intended.44
9460510756JuxtapositionPlacing two very different things together for effect.45
9460510757LitotesA form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite. Litote is the opposite of hyperbole46
9460510758LogosAppealing to someone's sense of concrete facts and logic.47
9460510759Loose 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. If a period were placed at the end of the independent clause, the clause would be a complete sentence. A work containing many loose sentences often seems informal, relaxed, or conversational. Generally, loose sentences create loose style. The opposite of a loose sentence is the periodic sentence.48
9460510760MetonymyA term from the Greek meaning "changed label" or "substitute name," metonymy is a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.49
9460510761NarrativeThe telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.50
9460510762OccasionThe reason or moment for writing or speaking.51
9460510763OnomatopoeiaUsing "sound-effect" words (e.g. "clap," "buzz).52
9460510764OrganizationHow the different parts of an argument are arranged in a piece of writing or speech.53
9460510765ParadoxA phrase or assertion that appears to contradict itself (but the contradiction itself may have its own meaning).54
9460510766ParallelismRepeated structural elements in a sentence.55
9460510767ParodyUsing the form of something to mimic and make fun of it. A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule. It exploits peculiarities of an author's expression. Well-written parody offers enlightenment about the original, but poorly written parody offers only ineffectual imitation. Usually an audience must grasp literary allusion and understand the work being parodied in order to fully appreciate the nuances of the newer work.56
9460510768PathosAn Aristotelian appeal. Involves appealing to someone's emotions.57
9460510769PedanticAn 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).58
9460510770Periodic SentenceThe opposite of loose sentence, a sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end. This independent clause is preceded by a phrase or clause that cannot stand alone. The effect of a periodic sentence is to add emphasis and structural variety. It is also a much stronger sentence than the loose sentence59
9460510771PersonificationGiving human characteristics to a nonhuman object or idea.60
9460510772ProseOne of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms. In prose the printer determines the length of the line; in poetry, the poet determines the length of the line.61
9460510773PurposeThe author's persuasive intention.62
9460510774RepetitionRe-using a word or phrase repeatedly for effect or emphasis.63
9460510775RhetoricThe use of spoken or written word (or a visual medium) to convey your ideas and convince an audience.64
9460510776Rhetorical ModesThis flexible term describes the variety, the conventions, and the purposes of the major kinds of writing. The four most common rhetorical modes (often referred to as "modes of discourse") are as follows: 1. The purpose of exposition (or expository writing) is to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion. The AP language exam essay questions are frequently expository topics. 2. The purpose of argumentation is to prove the validity of an idea, or point of view, by presenting sound reasoning, discussion, and argument that thoroughly convince the reader. Persuasive writing is a type of argumentation having an additional aim of urging some form of action. 3. The purpose of description is to re-create, invent, or visually present a person, place, event or action so that the reader can picture that being described. Sometimes an author engages all five senses in description; good descriptive writing can be sensuous and picturesque. Descriptive writing may be straightforward and objective or highly emotional and subjective. The purpose of narration is to tell a story or narrate an event or series of events. This writing mode frequently uses the tools of descriptive writing.65
9460510777Rhetorical TriangleThe relationship between the author, the audience, the text/message, and the context. The author communicates to the reader via the text; and the reader and text are surrounded by context.66
9460510778SarcasmMockingly stating the opposite of what you mean. Easier to convey in the spoken word than via writing.67
9460510779SatireA genre of humorous and mocking criticism to expose the ignorance and/or ills of society.68
9460510780SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another.69
9460510781SpeakerThe persona adopted by the author to deliver his or her message; may or may not actually be the same person as the author.70
9460510782StyleThe author's own personal approach to rhetoric in the piece; similar to voice. The consideration of style has two purposes: An evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices. Some authors' styles are so idiosyncratic that we can quickly recognize works by the same author. We can analyze and describe an author's personal style and make judgments on how appropriate it is to the author's purpose. Styles can be called flowery, explicit, succinct, rambling, bombastic, commonplace, incisive, laconic, etc. Classification of authors to a group and comparison of an author to similar authors. By means of such classification and comparison, we can see how an author's style reflects and helps to define a historical period, such as the Renaissance or the Victorian period, or a literary movement, such as the romantic, transcendental, or realist movement.71
9460510783Subject ComplementThe word (with any accompanying phrases) or clause that follows a linking verb and complements, or completes, the subject of the sentence by either (1) renaming it (the predicate nominative) or (2) describing it (the predicate adjective). These are defined by: 1.) the predicate nominative - a noun, group of nouns, or noun clause that renames the subject. It, like the predicate adjective, follows a linking verb and is located in the predicate of the sentence. Example: Julia Roberts is a movie star. movie star = predicate nominative, as it renames the subject, Julia Roberts 2.) The predicate adjective -- an adjective, a group of adjectives, or adjective clause that follows a linking verb. It is in the predicate of the sentence, and modifies, or describes, the subject. Example: Warren remained optimistic. optimistic = predicate adjective, as it modifies the subject, Warren72
9460510784Subordinate ClauseLike all clauses, this word group contains both a subject and a verb (plus any accompanying phrases or modifiers), but unlike the independent clause, the subordinate clause cannot stand alone; it does not express a complete thought. Also called a dependent clause, the subordinate clause depends on a main clause (or independent clause) to complete its meaning. Easily recognized key words and phrases usually begin these clauses. For example: although, because, unless, if, even though, since, as soon as, while, who, when, where, how and that. Example: Yellowstone is a national park in the West that is known for its geysers. underlined phrase = subordinate clause73
9460510785SyllogismA 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. A syllogism's conclusion is valid only if each of the two premises is valid. Syllogisms may also present the specific idea74
9460510786SymbolismUsing a symbol to refer to an idea or concept.75
9460510787SynecdocheReferring to one part of something as a way to refer to the whole.76
9460510788SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another. In literature, synesthesia refers to the practice of associating two or more different senses in the same image.77
9460510789SyntaxThe way sentences are grammatically constructed.78
9460510790SynthesisCombining sources or ideas in a coherent way in the purpose of a larger point.79
9460510791ThemesOverarching ideas or driving premises of a work.80
9460510792ThesisIn expository writing, the thesis statement is the sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position. Expository writing is usually judged by analyzing how accurately, effectively, and thoroughly a writer has proven the thesis.81
9460510793ToneThe use of stylistic devices to reveal an author's attitude toward a subject.82
9460510794TransitionA word or phrase that links different ideas. Used especially, although not exclusively, in expository and argumentative writing, transitions effectively signal a shift from one idea to another. More sophisticated writers use more subtle means of transition.83
9460510795UnderstatementDeliberately minimizing something, usually for humorous effect.84
9460510796VoiceAn author's unique sound. Similar to style.85
9460510797WitIn modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights. A witty statement is humorous, while suggesting the speaker's verbal power in creating ingenious and perceptive remarks. Wit usually uses terse language that makes a pointed statement. Historically, wit originally meant basic understanding. Its meaning evolved to include speed of understanding, and finally, it grew to mean quick perception including creative fancy and a quick tongue to articulate an answer that demanded the same quick perception.86

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!