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

AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
9578276278allegory (n)a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.0
9578276279Alliterationthe occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.1
9578276280Allusionindirect reference2
9578276281Ambiguityuncertainty or inexactness of meaning in language3
9578276282analogy (n)words that draw comparisons and similarities4
9578276283Antecedentis a literary device in which a word or pronoun in a line or sentence refers to an earlier word, for instance, "while giving treats to children or friends offer them whatever they like."5
9578276284Antithesisopposite6
9578276285Aphorism (n)a statement of truth or opinion expressed in a concise and witty manner7
9578276286Apostropheis a term used when a speaker directly addresses someone or something that isn't present in the poem.8
9578276287AtmosphereA mood can serve as a vehicle for establishing atmosphere. In literary works, atmosphere refers to emotions or feelings an author conveys to his readers through description of objects and settings, such as J. K. Rowling in Harry Potter tales, spins a whimsical and enthralling atmosphere.9
9578276288Caricaturean exaggerated portrayal of one's features10
9578276289Clauseis a group of related words containing a subject that tells readers what the sentence is about, and a verb that tells readers what the subject is doing. A clause comes in four types; independent, dependent, relative or noun clause.11
9578276290Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.12
9578276291Conceitsis a kind of metaphor that compares two very unlike things in a surprising and clever way.13
9578276292Connotation (n)refers to a meaning that is implied by a word apart from the thing which it describes explicitly.14
9578276293DenotationThe dictionary definition of a word15
9578276294diction (n)word choice; terminology; enunciation16
9578276295didactic literatureliterature meant to instruct, give advice, or convey a philosophical or moral lesson17
9578276296Euphemism (n)substitution of a "good" expression for an unpleasant one18
9578276297extended metaphorA metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.19
9578276298figurative languagewriting or speech not meant to be interpreted literally20
9578276299figure of speechAn expression that strives for literary effect rather than conveying a literal meaning.21
9578276300generic conventionsTraditions for each genre.22
9578276301Genresmajor categories of media content23
9578276302homily (n.)is a sermon or speech that a religious person or priest delivers before a group of people to offer them moral correction.24
9578276303Hyperboleexaggeration25
9578276304ImageryDescription that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)26
9578276305InferenceA conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning27
9578276306Invective (n)denotes speech or writing that attacks, insults, or denounces a person, topic, or institution28
9578276307Irony/ironicthe contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant29
9578276308LitotesA form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite30
9578276309Loose sentence/non-periodic sentenceA loose sentence, also called a cumulative sentence, begins with a main clause that is followed by phrases and/or clauses that modify the main clause.31
9578276310MetaphorA comparison that establishes a figurative identity between objects being compared.32
9578276311Metonymythe substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant33
9578276312MoodThe prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work . Setting, tone, and events can affect the mood.34
9578276313NarrativeThe telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events35
9578276314onomatopoeiathe formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named (e.g., cuckoo, sizzle ).36
9578276315Oxymorona figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction37
9578276316Paradoxa seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.38
9578276317Parallelismsimilarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses39
9578276318Anaphorathe repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses40
9578276319Parodyis an imitation of a particular writer, artist or a genre, exaggerating it deliberately to produce a comic effect. ..41
9578276320pedanticpompous; self-important; making a show of knowledge42
9578276321periodic sentenceA sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end.43
9578276322Personificationa kind of metaphor that gives inanimate objects or abstract ideas human characteristics44
9578276323point of viewThe perspective from which a story is told45
9578276324Proseis a form of language that has no formal metrical structure. It applies a natural flow of speech, and ordinary grammatical structure rather than rhythmic structure, such as in the case of traditional poetry.46
9578276325Repetitionthe action of repeating something that has already been said or written.47
9578276326Rhetoric (n)the art of using language effectively and persuasively48
9578276327rhetorical modesexposition, description, narration, argumentation49
9578276328Sarcasmthe use of irony to mock or convey contempt.50
9578276329Satireusing humor to expose something or someone to ridicule51
9578276330Semanticsrelating to meaning in language or logic.52
9578276331Styleis the literary element that describes the ways that the author uses words — the author's word choice, sentence structure, figurative language, and sentence arrangement all work together to establish mood, images, and meaning in the text.53
9578276332subject complementA word or word group in the predicate that identifies or describes the subject54
9578276333subordinate clauseCreated by a subordinating conjunction, a clause that modifies an independent clause.55
9578276334Syllogisma form of deductive reasoning with a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion56
9578276335Symbol/ symbolismSymbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense.57
9578276336SynecdocheSynecdoche is a literary device in which a part of something represents the whole or it may use a whole to represent a part.58
9578276337Synesthesiarefers to a technique adopted by writers to present ideas, characters or places in such a manner that they appeal to more than one senses like hearing, seeing, smell etc. at a given time.59
9578276338SyntaxSentence structure60
9578276339ThemeThe central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life.61
9578276340Thesisa statement or theory that is put forward as a premise to be maintained or proved.62
9578276341ToneTone, in written composition, is an attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience.63
9578276342Transitiona word or phrase that links different ideas64
9578276343UnderstatementThe ironic minimizing of fact, presents something as less significant than it is.65
9578276344WitIn modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights. A witty statement is humorous, while suggesting the speakers verbal power in creating ingenious and perceptive remarks.66

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!