AP Language and Composition Glossary of Literary and Rhetorical Devices Flashcards
Active Voice
Definition
The subject of the sentence performs the action.
Active Voice
Effect
This is a more direct and preferred style of writing in most cases. “Anthony drove while Toni searched for the house.”
Active Voice
Active voice can help ensure clarity by making it clear to the reader who is taking action in the sentence.
Allusion
Definition
An indirect reference to something (usually a literary text, although it can be other things commonly known, such as plays, songs, historical events) with which the reader is supposed to be familiar.
Allusion
His smile is like kryptonite to me.
Anecdote
Definition
A brief recounting of a relevant episode. Anecdotes are often inserted into fictional or non fictional texts as a way of developing a point or injecting humor.
Anecdote
Goethe once wrote a very long letter to one of his friends.
Anecdote
you can heighten the understanding and empathy your reader has for your point and so increase the chance that they will agree with it.
Antecedent
The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.
Antecedent
In grammar, the meaning of antecedent is more specific, as it refers to a word that comes before a different term that represents the original word.
Diction
Definition
Word choice, particularly as an element of style.
Diction
The mountain man’s raspy diction made it hard for us to understand what he was saying.
Diction
Different types of words have significant effects on meaning. An essay written in academic diction would be much less colorful, but perhaps more precise
than street slang. You should be able to describe an author’s diction. You SHOULD NOT write in your thesis, “The author uses diction…”. This is essentially saying, “The author uses words to write.” (Duh.) Instead, describe the type of diction (for example, formal or informal, ornate or plain).
Colloquial
Definition
Ordinary or familiar type of conversation. A “colloquialism” is a common or
familiar type of saying, similar to an adage or an aphorism.
Colloquial
Colloquial language is used in informal writing situations and creates a conversational tone.
Colloquial
His colloquial talents were indeed of the highest order.
Connotation
-Definition
Rather than the dictionary definition (denotation), the associations suggested by a
word. Implied meaning rather than literal meaning.
Connotation
(For example, “policeman,” “cop,” and “The Man” all denote the same literal meaning of police officer, but each has a different connotation.)
Connotation
Asian dragon tattoos carry a very different connotation than their western cousins.
Denotation
The literal, explicit meaning of a word, without its connotations.
Denotation
Definition
Denotation is used when an author wants the reader to understand a word, phrase, or sentence in its literal form, without other implied, associated, or suggested meanings.
Denotation
The boy was pushy.
Jargon
The diction used by a group which practices a similar profession or activity. Lawyers speak using particular jargon, as do soccer players
Jargon
Jargon words are meant to enhance communication by simplifying a particular concept.
Jargon
Definition
A lawyer discussing an “amicus curiae brief”.
Vernacular
Definition
1. Language or dialect of a particular country. 2. Language or dialect of a regional
clan or group. 3. Plain everyday speech
Vernacular
Vernacular literature is literature written in the vernacular—the speech of the “common people”.
Vernacular
His vernacular identified him as a Frenchman.
Didactic
Definition
A term used to describe fiction, nonfiction or poetry that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.
Didactic
A didactic text is one that teaches and instructs, and originally, the idea was that learning should be done in an intriguing manner.
Didactic
he really loved teaching.
Adage
Definition
A folk saying with a lesson. “A rolling stone gathers no moss.”
Similar to aphorism and colloquialism.
Adage
Writers tend to use adages to communicate a particular message to readers. Since adages can be understood by a wide audience, they are an effective tool for this.
Adage
The show must go on.
Allegory
Definition
A story, fictional or non fictional, in which characters, things, and events represent
qualities or concepts. The interaction of these characters, things, and events is meant to reveal an abstraction or a truth. Animal Farm, by George Orwell, is an allegory.
Allegory
Allegory allows writers to create some distance between themselves and the issues they are discussing, especially when those issues are strong critiques of political or societal realities.
Allegory
J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings is seen as a fight between good and evil during the two world wars.
Aphorism
Definition
- A terse statement which expresses a general truth or moral principle.
Aphorism
An aphorism can be a memorable summation of the author’s point. Ben Franklin wrote many of these in Poor Richard’s Almanac.
Aphorism
“God helps them that help themselves,”
Ellipsis
Definition
The deliberate omission of a word or phrase from prose done for effect by the author.
Ellipsis
The term ellipsis is related to ellipse, which is the three periods used to show
omitted text in a quotation.
Ellipsis
“The whole day, rain, torrents of rain.”
Euphemism
Definition
- A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts. Sometimes they are used for political correctness.
Euphemism
Sometimes a euphemism is used to exaggerate correctness to add humor. “Vertically challenged” in place of “short.”
Euphemism
“Physically challenged,” in place of “crippled.”
Figurative Language
“Figurative Language” is the opposite of “Literal Language.” Literal language is
writing that makes complete sense when you take it at face value. “Figurative Language” is the opposite: writing that is not meant to be taken literally.
Figurative Language
Definition
Fiction writers use figurative language to engage their audience using a more creative tone that provokes thinking and sometimes humor.
Figurative Language
The toast jumped out of the toaster.
Analogy
Definition
An analogy is a comparison of one pair of variables to a parallel set of variables.
Analogy
When a writer uses an analogy, he or she argues that the relationship between the first pair of variables is the same as the relationship between the second pair of variables.
Analogy
“America is to the world as the hippo is to the jungle.”
Hyperbole
Definition
Exaggeration.
Hyperbole
It is applied to accentuate the thoughts, ideas and images presented in the literature and it dramatizes the overall text.
Hyperbole
“My mother will kill me if I am late.”
Idiom
Definition
A common, often used expression that doesn’t make sense if you take it literally.
Idiom
amplify messages in a way that draws readers in and helps to awaken their senses.
Idiom
“I got chewed out by my coach.”
Metaphor:
Definition
Making an implied comparison, not using “like,” as,” or other such words.
Metaphor:
Metaphor, which allows writers to convey vivid imagery that transcends literal meanings, creates images that are easier to understand and respond to than literal language.
Metaphor:
“My feet are popsicles.”
Metonymy
Definition
Replacing an actual word or idea, with a related word or concept.
Metonymy
Metonymy is used to provide meaning and connections to concepts. Writers often use it in this way, as well as to be more poetic or simply to make a long sentence more concise.
Metonymy
“Relations between London and Washington have been strained,”
Synecdoche
Definition
A kind of metonymy when a whole is represented by naming one of its
parts, or vice versa.
Synecdoche
Synecdoche allows writers to vary and enhance their expression. Such figures of speech can emphasize the way that a part of something represents the whole.
Synecdoche
“The cattle rancher owned 500 head.”
Simile
Definition
Using words such as “like” or “as” to make a direct comparison between two very
different things.
Simile
Similes can make our language more descriptive and enjoyable. Writers, poets and songwriters make use of similes often to add depth and emphasize what they are trying to convey to the reader or listener in a vivid way.
Simile
“My feet are so cold they feel like popsicles.”
Synesthesia
–Definition
a description involving a “crossing of the senses.”
Synesthesia
Synesthesia is the term used in literature when one sense is used to describe another. This is a form of simile or metaphor where you use different senses to create an interesting picture in the reader’s mind.
Synesthesia
“A purplish scent filled the room.”
Personification
Definition
Giving human-like qualities to something that is not human.
Personification
Personification connects readers with the object that is personified. Personification can make descriptions of non-human entities more vivid, or can help readers understand, sympathize with, or react emotionally to non-human characters.
Personification
“The tired old truck groaned as it inched up the hill.”
Foreshadowing
Definition
When an author gives hints about what will occur later in a story.
