AP English Language and Composition Terms Flashcards

9423684445	Allegory	The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. In some allegories, for ex, an author may intend the characters to personify an abstraction lie hope or freedom. The allegorical meaning usually deals with moral truth or a generalization about human existence.	0
9423732169	Alliteration	The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words (as in "she sells sea shells").	1
9423744883	Allusion	A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. Can be historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical.	2
9423776098	Ambiguity	The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.	3
9423783209	Analogy	A similarity or comparison between two different things of the relationship between them. It can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with or pointing out its similarity to something more familiar.	4
9423816253	Antecedent	The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.	5
9423869233	Antithesis	The opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite.	6
9423871454	Aphorism	A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle. Can be a memorable summation of the author's point.	7
9423890485	Apostrophe	A figure of speech that directly addresses on absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. It is an address to someone that cannot answer. The effect may add famliarity or emotional intensity.	8
9423908191	Atmosphere	The 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.	9
9423925582	Caricature	A verbal description, the purpose of which is to exaggerate or distort, for comic effect, a person's distinctive physical features or other characteristics.	10
9423930610	Clause	A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb.	11
9423933950	Colloquialism	The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.	12
9423963511	Conceit	A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.	13
9423978765	Connotation	The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning. They may involved ideas, emotions, or attitudes.	14
9423994050	Denotation	The strict, literal dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.	15
9424001274	Diction	Related to style, refers to the writer's word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.	16
9424006692	Didactic	Literally means "teaching".	17
9424016500	Euphemism	From the Greek for "good speech". A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept .May be used to adhere to standards of social or political correctness or to add humor or ironic understatement.	18
9424025689	Extended metaphor	A metaphor developed at great length, occurting frequently in or throughout a work.	19
9424037111	Figurative language	Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.	20
9424040465	Figure of Speech	A device used to produce figurative language. May compare dissimilar things.	21
9424046799	Generic conventions	This term describes traditions for each genre. This term helps to define each genre.	22
9424074075	Genre	The major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are pose, poetry, and drama.	23
9424141068	Homily	This term means "sermon," but more intentionally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.	24
9424147549	Hyperbole	A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. (Often have a comic effect, however, serious is also possible.)	25
9424153763	Imagery	The sensory details of figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.	26
9424157425	Inference	To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.	27
9424159252	Invective	An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language	28
9424163484	Irony	The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant, or the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true.	29
9424168515	Litotes	A form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite.	30
9424173594	Loose sentence	A type of sentence in which the main idea ( ind. clause) comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses.	31