ap english vocab
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91 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 absolute | a word free from limiations or qualifications("best," "all", "unique" |
| ad hominem argument | an argument attacking an individual's characer rather than his or her position on an issue |
| allegory | a literary work in which characters, objects, or actions represent abstractions |
| allusion | a reference to something literary, mythological, or historical that the author assures the reader will recognize |
| analogy | a comparison of two different things that are similar in some way |
| anaphora | repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginning of successive clauses |
| anecdote | a brief narrative that focuses on a particular incident or event |
| antecedent | the word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers |
| antithesis | a statement in which two opposing ideas are balanced |
| aphorism | a concise, statement that expresses succinctly a general truth or idea, often using rhyme or balance |
| asyndeton | a construction in which elements are presented in a series without conjunctions |
| balanced sentence | a sentence in which words, phrases, or clauses are set off against each other to emphasize a contrast |
| chiasmus | a statement consisting of to parallel parts in which the second part is structurally reversed |
| climax | generally, the arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses in an order of increasing importance, often in parallel structure |
| cliché | an expression that has been overused to the extent that its freshness has worn off |
| colloquialism | informal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing |
| complex sentence | a sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause |
| compound sentence | a sentence with two or more coordinate independent clauses,often joined by one or more conjunctions |
| compound-complex sentence | a sentence with two or more principal clauses and one or more subordinate clauses |
| conceit | a fanciful, particularly clever extended metaphor |
| concrete details | details that relate to or describe actual, specific things or events |
| connotation | the implied or associative meaning of a word |
| cumulative sentence | a sentence in which the main independent clause is elaborated by the successive addition of modifying clauses or phrases |
| declarative sentence | a sentence that makes a statement or declaration |
| deductive reasoning | reasoning in which a conclusion is reached by stating a general principle and then applying that principle to a specific case |
| denotation | the literal meaning of a word |
| dialect | a variety of speech characterized by its own particular grammar or pronunciation, often associated with a particular geographical region |
| diction | the word choices made by a writer |
| didactic | having the primary purpose of teaching or instucting |
| dissonance | harsh, inharmonious, or discordant sounds |
| ellipsis | the omission of a word or phrase which is grammatically necessary but can be deduced from the context |
| epigram | a brief, pithy, and often paradoxical saying |
| epigraph | a saying or statement on the title page of a work, or used as a heading of a chapter or other section of a work |
| ethos | the persuasive appeal of one's character, or credibility |
| euphemism | an indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant |
| exclamatory sentence | a sentence expressing strong feeling, usually punctuated with an exclamation mark |
| figurative language | language employing one or more figures of speech |
| hyperbole | intentional exaggeration to create an effect |
| idiom | an expression in a given language that cannot be understood from the literal meaning of the words in the expression; or, a regional speech or dialect |
| imagery | the use of figures of speech to create vivid images that appeal to one of the senses |
| imperative sentence | a sentence that gives a command |
| implication | a suggestion an author or speaker makes (implies) without stating it directly |
| inductive reasoning | deriving general principles from particular facts or instances |
| inference | a conclusion on draws(infers) based on premises or evidence |
| interrogative sentence | a sentence that asks a question |
| invective | an intensely vehement, highly emotional verbal attack |
| inverted syntax | a sentence constructed so that the predicate comes before the subject |
| irony | the use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning; or, incongruity between what is expected and what actually occurs |
| jargon | the specialized language or vocabulary of a particular group or profession |
| juxtaposition | placing two elements side by side to present a comparison or contrast |
| litotes | a type of understatement in which an idea is expressed by negating its opposite |
| logos | appeal to reason or logic |
| malapropism | the mistaken substitution of one word for another word that sounds similar |
| maxim | a concise statement, often offering advice; an adage |
| metaphor | a direct comparison of two different things |
| metonymy | substituting the name of one object for another object closely associate with it |
| mood | the emotional atmosphere of a work |
| motif | a standard theme, element, or dramatic situation that recurs in various works |
| non sequitur | an inference that does not follow logically from the premises |
| paradox | an apparently contradictory statement that actually contains some truth |
| parallelism | the use of corresponding grammatical or syntactical forms |
| parody | a humorous imitation of a serious work |
| parenthetical | a comment that interrupts the immediate subject, often to quality or explain |
| pathos | the quality in a work that prompts the reader to feel pity |
| pedantic | characterized by an excessive display of learning or scholarship |
| personification | endowing non-human objects or creatures with human qualities or characteristics |
| philippic | a strong verbal denunciation. The term comes form the orations of Demosthenes against Philip of Macedonia in the fourth century |
| polysyndeton | The use, for rhetorical effect, of more conjunctions than is necessary or natural |
| rhetoric | the art of presenting ideas in a clear, effective, and persuasive manner |
| rhetorical question | a question asked merely for rhetorical effect ad not requiring an answer |
| rhetorical devices | literary techniques used to heighten the effectiveness of expression |
| sarcasm | harsh, cutting language or tone intended to ridicule |
| satire | the use of humor to emphasize human weaknesses or imperfections in social institutions |
| scheme | an artful deviation from the ordinary arrangement of words |
| simile | a comparison of two things using "like, "as," or other specifically comparative words |
| simple sentence | a sentence consisting of one independent clause and no dependent clause |
| solecism | non standard grammatical usage; a violation of grammatical rules |
| structure | the arrangement or framework of a sentence, paragraph, or entire work |
| style | the choices a writer makes; the combination of distinctive features of a literary work |
| syllepsis | a construction in which one word is used in two different sense |
| syllogism | a three-part deductive argument in which a conclusion is based on a major premise and a minor premise |
| synecdoche | using one part of an objet to represent the entire object |
| synesthesia | describing a kind of sensation in terms of another |
| syntax | the manner in which words are arranged into sentences |
| tautology | needless repetition which adds no meaning or understanding |
| theme | a central idea of work |
| thesis | the primary position taken by a writer or speaker |
| tone | the attitude of a writer, usually implied, toward the subject or audience |
| trope | an artful deviation from the ordinary or principal signification of a word |
| understatement | the deliberate representation of something as lesser in magnitude than it |
| vernacular | the everyday speech of a particular country or region, often involving nonstandard usage |
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