AP Lang Vocab & Rhetorical Terms

Figurative Language

phrases that go beyond the literal meaning of words. Ex. -simile, metaphor, hyperbole

Apostrophe

(rhetorical device, not punctuation)- a speech or addressing a person who is who is not present or to a personified object Ex. - "O' Romeo, Romeo, Wherefore art thou Romeo" Juliet didn't know she was talking to anyone she was just saying this out into the night -Car, please get me to work today

Paradox

Statement that logically contradicts itself, gives a logically unacceptable conclusion, puts someone in a weird or impossible situation Ex. -don't go near the water until you know how to swim -don't talk to strangers -things with the space time continuum (time travel) -if someone says "I'm lying" to someone else then they can't be sure that they are lying

Analogy

a comparison of things based on similarities. Identifies two things as similar. More similar to simile than metaphor. Compares situations more than a simile which is two objects. Used to support an argument rather than just as a comparison. Ex. -"Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what your gonna get" -Finding my car keys is like finding a needle in a haystack -Having a toddler in the house is like living with a little drunk person

Fable

a short story with animals or characters that conveys a moral. NON HUMAN CHARACTERS Ex.- The Lorax, The Tortoise, and the Hare

Parable

a simple story used to illustrate a moral. DIFFERENT THAN FABLE BECAUSE THIS FEATURES HUMANS AS CHARACTERS Ex. -Lots of stories from the Bible are parables

Condemnation

expressing a strong disapproval of something. Saying something is very bad. Ex. -There was a widespread condemnation of Saturday's massacre -Punishment for murder

Ironic

happening in the opposite way of what was expected. A class between expectations and outcomes. Dramatic is when the author lets the reader know something the character doesn't. Situational is when something happens that you don't expect. Verbal is what is said is different than what you meant Ex. -The Titanic sinking is situational because it was dubbed unsinkable. A fire station burning down is situational. -Verbal would be telling someone to break a leg meaning good luck.

Objective v.s. Subjective

objective is someone or something not influenced by feelings or opinions when given facts. It's writing that can be verified through facts. The writer is neutral. Subjective writing is writing that is influenced by feelings and opinions. It isn't backed by evidence. Subjective is arguing why something is happening. Ex. -Subjective: Mr. Miller's class is way better at math than the other classes. Objective: Mr. Miller's class had an average score of 94% on the math exam while the other classes had an average score of 76%. -Subjective: He always wins the marathon. Objective: He has won the marathon 5 years in a row

Testimony

sharing your own personal experience with something (someone providing testimonial). Ex. -a formal written statement given mostly in the court of law -a story a witness tells on the witness stand in court -what a person says about a religious lesson he learned from God

Euphemism

use of a word that is mild or INDIRECT that substitutes a word that is too harsh or blunt Ex. -feminine hygiene -downsizing is a euphemism for cuts

Colloquialism

use of words that are familiar. Words used in ordinary or familiar conversation. A local or regional dialect expression Ex. - "Y'all" "gonna" "wanna" "pop-soda" "Go bananas" "You're nuts"