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| 8654765974 | anecdote | A short, simple narrative often used for humorous effect to make a point | 0 | |
| 8654765975 | Argumentation | Writing that attempts to prove the validity of a point of view or an idea by presenting "reasoned" arguments; persuasive writing is a form of argumentation & is the focus of the AP Lang. & composition program | 1 | |
| 8654765976 | Allegory | An extended narrative of an incident in prose or verse in which characters, events, & settings represent abstract qualities & in which the writer intends a second meaning to be read beneath the surface of the story; the underlying meaning may be moral, religious, political, social, or satiric | 2 | |
| 8654765977 | Annotation | Explanatory notes added to a text to explain, cite sources, or give bibliographic data. In AP Lang. you will need to demonstrate detailed annotations on most of your readings | 3 | |
| 8655234378 | Antithesis | The presentation of two contrasting images. The ideas are balanced by word, phrase, clause, or paragraphs. "To be or not to be" | 4 | |
| 8655234379 | Rhetoric | The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques | 5 | |
| 8655234380 | Colloquialism | A word or phrase(including slang) used in everyday conversation and informal writing but that is also inappropriate in formal writing (y'all, ain't, can't) | 6 | |
| 8655234381 | Connotation | Words suggesting implied meaning because of its association in a reader's mind. Opposite of dennotation | 7 | |
| 8655234382 | Consonance | Repetition of identical consonant sounds within 2 or more words in close proximity: boot/beat/best/brag or even compound words(fulfill, ping-pong) | 8 | |
| 8655234383 | Caricature | Descriptive writing that greatly exaggerates a specific feature of a person's appearance or a facet of personality | 9 | |
| 8655234384 | Coherence | The "quality" of a piece of writing in which all the parts contribute to the development of the central ideal theme or organizing principle | 10 | |
| 8655234385 | Aphorism | A short, often witty, statement of a principle or truth about life. Benjamin Franklin was somewhat famous for these in Poor Richard's Almanac "The early bird gets the worm" | 11 | |
| 8655234386 | Apostrophe | Usually in poetry but sometimes in prose: the device of calling out to an imaginary, dead, or absent person or to a place, thing, or personified abstraction | 12 | |
| 8655234387 | Cacophony | Also referred to as dissonance...hard, awkward, or dissonant sounds used deliberately in poetry or prose; the opposite of Euphony | 13 | |
| 8655234388 | Enumeration | Enumeration is a rhetorical device used for listing the details or a process of mentioning words or phrases step by step. In fact, it is a type of amplification or division in which a subject is further distributed into components or parts. Writers use this to clarify & detail understanding | 14 | |
| 8655234389 | Analogy | An analogy is a comparison in which an idea or a thing is compared to another thing that is quite different from it. It aims at explaining that idea or thing by comparing it to something that is familiar | 15 | |
| 8655234390 | Parallelism | The use of components in a sentence that are grammatically the same; or similar in their construction, sound, meaning, or meter. Like father like son, easy come easy go, flying is fast comfortable and safe | 16 | |
| 8655234391 | Allusion | A brief & indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical culture, cultural, literary or political significance. It does not describe in detail the person or thing to which it refers | 17 | |
| 8655234392 | Metonymy | A figure of speech that replaces the name of a person, place, or thing w/ the name of something else w/ which it is closely associated. Do not confuse this with a metaphor as a metonymy is not creating a comparison | 18 | |
| 8665980683 | Anaphora (n) | In writing or speech, the deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect is known as Anaphora. Anaphora, possible the oldest library device, has its roots in Biblical Psalms used to emphasize certain words or phrases. Gradually, Elizabethan and Romantic writers brought this device into practice | 19 | |
| 8665980684 | Epistrophe | Epistrophe is derived from a Greek word that means turning upon, which indicates the the same word returns at the end of each sentence. Epistrophe is a stylistic device that can be defined as the repetition of phrases or words at the end of the classes or sentences. It is also called epiphora. Epistrophe examples are frequently found in literary pieces, in persuasive writing and speeches | 20 | |
| 8665980685 | Asyndeton | Is derived from a Greek word asyndeton which means unconnected. It is a stylistic device used in literature & poetry to intentionally eliminate connections between the phrases & in the sentence, yet maintain the grammatical accuracy. Mostly this technique is employed in speech but can be used in written works too | 21 | |
| 8665980686 | Polysyndeton | The term polysyndeton comes from a Greek word meaning "bound together" It makes use of coordinating conjunctions like "and", "or", "but", & "nor"(mostly and & or) which are used to join successive words, phrases, or clauses in such a way these conjunctions are even used where they may have been emitted | 22 | |
| 8704423933 | Synecdoche | A literary device in which a part of something represents the whole or a whole to represent a part. Ex: the word "sails" refers to a whole ship The word "suits" refers to a business man | 23 | |
| 8704423934 | Tone | attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience. Generally conveyed through the choice of words or the viewpoint of a writer on a particular subject | 24 | |
| 8704423935 | Process Analysis | A step-by-step breakdown of the phases of a process, used to convey the details of each phase of thinking, an operation, etc. It is often used to improve understanding & also to breakdown an argument to make it more comprehensible | 25 | |
| 8704423936 | Syntax | A set of rules in a language. It dictates how words from diff. parts of speech are put together in order to convey a complete thought. In plain English "syntax" refers to how we choose to arrange our words. The choice of specific words is called diction. Thus, the two are closely related in creating an argument | 26 | |
| 8821570138 | Provocative Diction | "diction" is our choice of words. Thus, "provocative diction" is the purposeful choice of words serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate a provocative question that will frame a rhetorical argument | 27 | |
| 8821598104 | Classification | the action or process of classifying something according to shared qualities or characteristics. This often is a strategy of argumentation or an argumentative response in an effort to provide the reader w/ structure to your argument. It would be considered to support to both logos & ethos in presenting an argument. | 28 | |
| 8821665715 | Understatement | for example you win 10 million dollars in a lottery. When you tell a news reporter "I am delighted" you are making an understatement. It is opposite of hyperbole or overstatement. | 29 | |
| 8821689852 | Colorful Diction | diction is your conscious choice of words as a writer. It stands to reason that "colorful diction" is a very purposeful word choice that will serve to accentuate meaning & tone. | 30 | |
| 8821716310 | Counterargument | an argument or set of reasons put forward to oppose an idea or theory developed in another argument. When writing in the argumentative mode, it is mandatory that the writer acknowledge the "other" side to his or her argument. It is part of the refutation of someone else's claim to support your own "side" of the argument that you are making | 31 | |
| 8821767639 | Claim | when someone provides an argument to support his/her position the process is called making a claim. Different reasons are usually presented to prove why a certain point should be accepted as logical. | 32 | |
| 8821802258 | Evidence | evidence is a type of literary device that appears in different categories of essays and theses in the form of paraphrase and quotations. It is presented to persuade the readers and used with powerful arguments in the text or essays. In rhetoric, when a person makes a claim or presents an argument, he needs to present evidence in support of his claim and argument in order to establish the veracity and authenticity of his claim or argument. If there is no evidence, the claim stands quashed. The same is true with a case in law where a case or litigation is quashed, if there is no evidence to support the claim. However, literary evidence is only used in literature, essays, and research papers for persuasion and convincing purposes. | 33 | |
| 8822049421 | Warrant | a warrant is the glue that holds an argument together. It links the evidence to the claim. It says something like "This evidence supports the claim because..." and it is always in a similar form that is more of a statement of support of "WHY" your evidence supports your assertion/claim | 34 | |
| 8822074147 | Fallacy | a fallacy is an erroneous argument dependent upon an unsound or illogical contention. There are many fallacy examples that we can find in everyday conversations. | 35 | |
| 8822090126 | Logical Fallacy | In argumentation, a formal fallacy (also called deductive fallacy) is a pattern of reasoning/thinking rendered invalid by a flaw in its logical structure that can neatly be expressed in a standard logic system, for example, propositional logic. An argument that is formally fallacious is always considered wrong | 36 | |
| 8822137154 | Prophecy | many believed that a prediction & a prophecy are the same, but they are mistaken. It is true that both "forecast" the future, but there is a significant difference. A prophecy has all the element of a prediction except the element of time. W/o the element of time, a prophecy is hard to determine. A "prophecy" has more of a religious connotation since there is an element of uncertainty about time | 37 | |
| 8822182403 | Prediction | a prediction is a forecast made by those who calculate the parameters of the subject involved after evaluating the odds they can predict the future. The weather forecast is a good example. A "prediction" is limited to a time element, unlike a prophecy | 38 | |
| 8822208123 | Adage | a short, pointed, & memorable saying based on facts, & is considered a veritable truth by the majority of people. Famous adages become popular due to their usage over a long period of time. In fact, an adage expresses a general fact or truth about life. | 39 | |
| 8822242988 | Pedantic | comes from a French word, pedant, means "to teach or to act as pedagogue" A pedantic is someone who is concerned with precision, formalism, accuracy, minute details in order to make an arrogant & ostentatious show of learning. He could be a writer, a character, feelings, tones, or words. | 40 | |
| 8822273342 | Flippant | lacking proper respect or seriousness. This is often associated w/ the impatience of youth | 41 | |
| 8822295571 | Evocative | the use of language that "suggests" meanings other than the denotative. Language that connects w/ emotions or feelings not associated w/ the actual meaning of a word | 42 | |
| 8822316030 | Syntactical Inversion | inversion, also called anastrophe, in literary style and rhetoric, the synatic reversal of the normal order of the words and phrases in a sentence, as, in English, the placing of an adjective after the noun it modifies ( "the form divine"), a verb before its subject ("came the dawn") | 43 | |
| 8822342564 | Apposition | is a grammatical construction in which two elements, normally noun phrases, are placed side by side, with one element serving to identify the other in a different way. The two elements are said to be apposition | 44 | |
| 8822364268 | Didactic | the word didactic is frequently used for those literary texts which are overloaded with informative or realistic matter and are marked by the omission of graceful and pleasing details. Didactic, therefore, becomes a derogatory term referring to the forms of literature that are ostentatiously dull and erudite. However, some literary texts are entertaining as well as didactic | 45 | |
| 8822416154 | Conceit | a figure of speech in which two vastly different objects are likened together with the help of similes or metaphors. Thus, conceit examples have a surprising or shocking effect on the readers because they are novel comparisons unlike the conventional comparisons made in similes and metaphors | 46 | |
| 8822440754 | Anadiplosis | the repetition of a word or words in successive clauses in such a way that the second clause starts with the same word which marks the end of the previous clause | 47 | |
| 8822460090 | Anachronism | derived from the Greek word anachronus, which means "against time" An anachronism is an error of chronology or timeline in a literary piece. In other words, anything that is out of time & out of place is an anachronism | 48 | |
| 8822478981 | Anagram | rearranging letters so a new word is formed | 49 | |
| 8822483431 | Hyperbole | exaggeration | 50 | |
| 8822489326 | Onomatopoeia | sound effect | 51 | |
| 8822491614 | Periodic Sentence | has the main clause or predicate at the end. This is used for emphasis & can be persuasive by putting reasons for something at the beginning before the final point is made. It can also create suspense or interest for the reader. EX: with low taxes, beautiful views, & a mild climate, this city is a great place to live. | 52 | |
| 8822533790 | Paradox | a statement that appears to be self-contradictory or silly but may include a latent truth. It is also used to illustrate an opinion or statement contrary to accepted traditional ideas. A paradox is often used to make a reader think over an idea in an innovative way. EX: Your enemy's friend is your enemy | 53 | |
| 8822575920 | Irony | a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meanings of the words. It may also be a situation that may end up in quite a different way than what is generally anticipated. In simple words, it is a difference between appearance and reality | 54 | |
| 8822608615 | Parenthesis | a stylistic device that comes from a Greek word, meaning to place alongside. Parenthesis is a qualifying or explanatory sentence, clause or word that writers insert into a paragraph or passage | 55 | |
| 8822629047 | Sardonic | grimly mocking, sarcastic, satirical mocking in a humorous manner. This is one of those "tone" words that describe writing that fits the meaning | 56 | |
| 8822650648 | Satire | a technique employed by writers to expose & criticize foolishness & corruption of an individual or a society by using humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule. It intends to improve humanity by criticizing follies & foibles. A writer in a satire uses fictional characters which stand for real people to expose & condemn their corruption | 57 | |
| 8822689118 | Polemical | relating to or involving strongly critical, controversial, or disputatious writing or speech | 58 | |
| 8822700747 | Ambiguity | the fallacy of ambiguity is a word, phrase, or statement which contains more than one meaning. Skilled writers use ambiguity w/ purpose & intent. However, most students who are just learning about language use it w/o thought & it detracts from their writing. Here is a good example of purposeful use to "tag" a teenager speaking | 59 | |
| 8822740600 | Archetype | also known as universal symbol, may be a character, a theme, a symbol or even a setting. Many literary critics are of the opinion that archetypes, which have a common & recurring representation in a particular culture or entire human race, shape the structure and function of a literary work | 60 | |
| 8822772188 | Function of Archetype | the use of archetypical characters & situations gives a literary work a universal acceptance, as readers identify the characters & situations in their social & cultural context. By using common archetype, the writers attempt to impart realism to their works, as the situations & characters are drawn from the experience of the world | 61 | |
| 8822815025 | Tragic Flaw | a literary device that can be defined as a trait in a character leading to his downfall & the character is often the hero of the literary piece. This trait could be the lack of self knowledge, lack of self pride and often it is hubris (pride) | 62 | |
| 8822844486 | Assertion | when someone makes a statement investing his strong belief in it, as if it is true though it my not be, he is making an assertion. Assertion is a stylistic approach or technique involving strong declaration, a forceful or confident & positive statement regarding a belief or fact. Often, it is w/o a proof or any support. Its purpose is to express ideas or feelings directly, for instance, "I have put my every effort to complete this task today." | 63 | |
| 8822889310 | Autobiography | a one type of biography which tells a life story of its author, meaning it is a written record of the author's life. Rather than being written by somebody else, an auto biography comes through the person's own pen, in his own words. | 64 | |
| 8901580187 | Memoir | a record of memories, & particular events that have taken place in the author's life. In fact, it is the telling of a story or an event from his life; an account that does not tell the full record of a life | 65 | |
| 8901700338 | Cumulative Sentence | a loose sentence that starts with an independent clause or main clause which is simple & straight, provides main idea & then adds subordinate elements or modifiers. It adds subordinate or modifying elements after the subject & the predicate. Writers use these types of sentences when they want to put the main idea 1st & provide details to elucidate the idea further there after. Consider how this is different from the periodic sentence (where the main clause is left to the end of the sentence) | 66 | |
| 8926164174 | Blank Verse | a literary device defined as un-rhyming verse written iambic pentameter. In poetry & prose, it has a consistent meter with 10 syllables in each line; where, unstressed syllables are followed by stressed ones & 5 of which are stressed but do not rhyme, although it can if the poet chooses. It is also known as iambic pentameter. | 67 |
