APN 1-8

Question 1

ANECDOTE

Answer 1

a short, simple narrative of an incident, often used for humorous effect or to make a
point.

Question 2

ARGUMENTATION

Answer 2

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 and is the
focus of the AP Language and Composition program.

Question 3

ALLEGORY

Answer 3

an extended narrative of an incident in prose or verse in which characters, events, and
settings represent abstract qualities and 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.

Question 4

ANNOTATION

Answer 4

Explanatory notes added to a text to explain, cite sources, or give bibliographic data. In
AP Language you will need to demonstrate DETAILED annotation on most of your readings

Question 5

ANTITHESIS

Answer 5

the presentation of two contrasting images. The ideas are balanced by word, phrase,
clause, or paragraphs. “To be or not to be…”, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask
what you can do for your country.”

Question 6

RHETORIC

Answer 6

the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of
speech and other compositional techniques. This is the CORE of the AP Language Program.

Question 7

COLLOQUIALISM

Answer 7

a word or phrase (including slang) used I everyday conversation and informal
writing but that is often inappropriate in formal writing (y’all, ain’t, can’t, somethin’)

Question 8

CONNOTATION

Answer 8

words suggesting implied meaning because of its association in a reader’s mind. This
is the opposite of “denotation.