Ap Lang 8888

Clause

:Definition-A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb. An independent, or main, clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent, or subordinate clause, cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent clause. The point that you want to consider is the question of what or why the author subordinates one element should also become aware of making effective use of subordination in your own writing Example-"The dentist(subject) is cleaning(roots) out my roots" From "How to tame a Wild Tongue" Gloria Anzaldua.

Narrative

Definition-The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events. Example- "This is a tale of two sisters from Calcutta, Mira and Bharati, who have lived in the United States for some 35 years..." From "Two Ways to Belong in America" by Bharati Muckherjee.

Allusion

Definition - A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. Allusions can be historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical. There are many more possibilities, and a work may simultaneously use multiple layers of allusion. Example- "One Woman had dark brown hair in a classic style, a cross between Cleopatra and Plain Jane" From "There is No Unmarked Women" by Deborah Tannen.

Genre

Definition- - The major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama. However, genre is a flexible term; within these broad boundaries exist many subdivisions that are often called genres themselves. For example, prose can be divided into fiction (novels and short stories) or nonfiction (essays, biographies, autobiographies, etc.). Poetry can be divided into lyric, dramatic, narrative, epic, etc. Drama can be divided into tragedy, comedy, melodrama, farce, etc Example- "The Great Gatsby" is a fiction novel.

Conceit

Definition- A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects. A conceit displays intellectual cleverness as a result of the unusual comparison being made. Example- "Here I was, the white man with his gun, standing in front of the unarmed crowd - seemingly the leading actor of the piece; but in reality I was only an absurd puppet pushed to and fro by the will of those yellow faces behind." From "Shooting an Elephant" by George Orwell.

Apostrophe

Definition- A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. It is an address to someone or something that cannot answer. The effect may add familiarity or emotional intensity. Example- "But at last, Phillis, we understand" From "In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens" By

Anaphora

Definition- A sub-type of parallelism, when the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences. MLK used anaphora in his famous "I Have a Dream" speech (1963). Example:"Until I can take pride in my language...Until I can accept as legitimate Chicano Texas Spanish...Until I am free to write bilingually and to switch codes without always having to translate." How to Tame a wild tongue

Metonymy

Definition- A term from the Greek meaning "changed label" or "substitute name," metonymy is a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it. Example- "only a sickly little black girl, snatched from your home and country and made a slave; a woman who still struggled to sing the song that was your gift..." From "In Search of Our Mothers Garden" by Alice Walker.

Loose sentence/non-periodic sentence

Definition- A type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses. If a period were placed at the end of the independent clause, the clause would be a complete sentence. A work containing many loose sentences often seems informal, relaxed, or conversational. Generally, loose sentences create loose style. The opposite of a loose sentence is the periodic sentence. Example-"I felt the same damp mos covering the worms in the bait can, and saw the dragonfly alight on the tip of my rod as it hovered a few inches from the surface of the water" From "Once more to the lake" by E.B.White.

Parody

Definition- A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule. It exploits peculiarities of an author's expression (propensity to use too many parentheses, certain favorite words, etc.) Well-written parody offers enlightenment about the original, but poorly written parody offers only ineffectual imitation. Usually an audience must grasp literary allusion and understand the work being parodied in order to fully appreciate the nuances of the newer work. Occasionally, however, parodies take on a life of their own and don't require knowledge of the original. Example-The Declaration of Independence -> The Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions

Parallelism

Definition- Also referred to as parallel construction or parallel structure, this term comes from Greek roots meaning "beside one another." It refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity. This can involve, but is not limited to, repetition of a grammatical element such as a preposition or verbal phrase. The effects of parallelism are numerous, but frequently they act as an organizing force to attract the reader's attention, add emphasis and organization, or simply provide a musical rhythm. Example- "Becuase I knew the Dumpster I knew the source of the pizza, and because I visted the Dumpster regularly I knew what was fresh and what was yesterday's." From "On Dumpster Diving" by Lars Eighner.

Ethos

Definition- Credibility, truthworthisness, authority (Ex. tones, experiences, diction, anecdote) Example- " In 33 years of marriage, we have lived in every part of North America" From "Two Ways to Belong In America".

Oxymoron

Definition- From the Greek for "pointedly foolish," an oxymoron is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox. Simple examples include "jumbo shrimp" and "cruel kindness." This term does not usually appear in the multiple-choice questions, but there is a chance that you might find it in an essay. Take note of the effect that the author achieves with the use of oxymoron. Example- "The loss implies the gain" From "Aria: Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood"

Syllogism

Definition- From the Greek for "reckoning together," a syllogism (or syllogistic reasoning or syllogistic logic) is a deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises (the first one called "major" and the second called "minor") that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion. A frequently cited example proceeds as follows: major premise: All men are mortal. minor premise: Socrates is a man. conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is a mortal. A syllogism's conclusion is valid only if each of the two premises is valid. Syllogisms may also present the specific idea first ("Socrates") and the general second ("all men"). Example- "All segregation statutes are unjust because segregation distorts the soul and damages the personality." Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr.

Sarcasm

Definition- From the Greek meaning "to tear flesh," sarcasm involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something. It may use irony as a device, but not all ironic statements are sarcastic (that is, intended to ridicule). When well done, sarcasm can be witty and insightful; when poorly done, it is simply cruel. Example- "Leaping upon a poor fellow who affably nodded in agreement" From "There is No Unmarked Women" by Deborah Tannen she does not truly view the man with any sympathy like she implies in "poor fellow".

Symbol/Symbolism

Definition- Generally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else. Usually a symbol is something concrete -- such as an object, action, character, or scene - that represents something more abstract. However, symbols and symbolism can be much more complex. One system classifies symbols into three categories: (1) natural symbols are objects and occurrences from nature to symbolize ideas commonly associated with them (dawn symbolizing hope or a new beginning, a rose symbolizing love, a tree symbolizing knowledge). (2) conventional symbols are those that have been invested with meaning by a group (religious symbols such as a cross or Star of David; national symbols, such as a flag or an eagle; or group symbols, such as a skull and crossbones for pirates or the scale of justice for lawyers). (3) literary symbols are sometimes also conventional in the sense that they are found in a variety of works and are more generally recognized. However, a work's symbols may be more complicated, as is the jungle in Heart of Darkness. On the AP exam, try to determine what abstraction an object is a symbol for and to what extent it is successful in representing that abstraction. Example- "One could only watch the extraordinary efforts made by those tiny legs against an oncoming doom which could, had it chosen, have submerged an entire city, not merely a city, but masses of human beings; nothing, I knew, had any chance against death" From "The Death of a Moth" by Virginia Woolf.

Connotation

Definition- The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning. Connotations may involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes. Example-"aliens" from "Two Ways to Belong in America" by Bharati Mukherjee.

Periodic Sentence

Definition- The opposite of loose sentence, a sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end. This independent clause is preceded by a phrase or clause that cannot stand alone. The effect of a periodic sentence is to add emphasis and structural variety. It is also a much stronger sentence than the loose sentence Example- "While my English skills were never judged as poor,compared to math,English could not be considered my strong suit." Mother Tongue Amy Tan

Mood

Definition- The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work. Setting, tone, and events can affect the mood. Mood is similar to tone and atmosphere. Example-"I wanted to hear them again, the voices so tender ,so deep,like a memory of comfort"By Linda Hogan from "Dwellings"

Subject Complement

Definition- The word (with any accompanying phrases) or clause that follows a linking verb and complements, or completes, the subject of the sentence by either (1) renaming it (the predicate nominative) or (2) describing it (the predicate adjective). These are defined below: (1) the predicate nominative - a noun, group of nouns, or noun clause that renames the subject. It, like the predicate adjective, follows a linking verb and is located in the predicate of the sentence. Example: Julia Roberts is a movie star. movie star = predicate nominative, as it renames the subject, Julia Roberts (2) the predicate adjective -- an adjective, a group of adjectives, or adjective clause that follows a linking verb. It is in the predicate of the sentence, and modifies, or describes, the subject. Example: Warren remained optimistic. optimistic = predicate adjective, as it modifies the subject, Warren Example- "I am also an enthusiastic laundress, capable of sorting a hamper full of clothes into five subtly differentiated piles, but a terrible housekeeper" From "On Being a Cripple" by Nancy Mairs.

Generic Coventions

Definition- This term describes traditions for each genre. These conventions help to define each genre; for example, they differentiate an essay and journalistic writing or an autobiography and political writing. On the AP language exam, try to distinguish the unique features of a writer's work from those dictated by convention. Example- The spider and the wasp Alexander Petrunkvitch"There is a certain wasp, Pimpla inquisitor, whose larvae feed on the larvae of the tussock moth" Scientific diction is the unique feature that distinguishes the scientific genre.

Homily

Definition- This term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice. Example-"Every man in the chapel hoped that when his hour came he, too, would be eulogized, which is to say forgiven, and that all of his lapses, greeds, errors, and strayings from the truth would be invested with coherence and looked upon with charity. This was perhaps the last thing human beings could give each other and it was what they demanded, after all, of the Lord." "Notes From a Native Son" by James Baldwin

Figure of Speech

Definition-A device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. Figures of speech include apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche, and understatement Example- "There were cottages sprinkled around the shores" From "Once More to the Lake" by EB White.

Inference/infer

Definition- To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented. When a multiple choice question asks for an inference to be drawn from a passage, the most direct, most reasonable inference is the safest answer choice. If an inference is implausible, it's unlikely to be the correct answer. Note that if the answer choice is directly stated, it is not inferred and it is wrong. You must be careful to note the connotation - negative or positive - of the choices Example- "Perhaps more than Phillis Wheatley's biological life is her mother's signature made clear." "In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens" by Alice Walker

Figurative Language

Definition- Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid. Example- "Like travelers with exotic destinations on their minds, the graduates were remarkably forgetful" an example of a simile from "Graduation by Maya Angelou.

Synecdoche

Definition- a figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole or, occasionally, the whole is used to represent a part. Example-he strings" can refer to violas or an orchestra" "Sail" refers to the word "boat"

Litotes (Little Tea)

Definition- a form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite. Litote is the opposite of hyperbole Example- "There were cottages sprinkled around the shores"From "Once More to the Lake" by EB White.

Caricature

Definition- a verbal description, the purpose of which is to exaggerate or distort, for comic effect, a person's distinctive physical features or other characteristics. Exmple-"The first Anna hailed from an industrial town outside of Warsaw and had front teeth the size of tombstones" "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

Invective

Definition- an emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language Example- "My pulse is throbbing like a war drum. I want to slaughter something- give pain, give death to what, I do not know." From "How It Feels to Be Colored Me" by Zora Neale Hurston.

Pathos

Definition- appeal to emotion, imaination, sympathy (Ex. connotion,imagery, diction) Example- " I will never forget the pain of the sudden turning and the casual racist outburst the green paper elicited." From "Two Ways to Belong In America".

Logos

Definition- appeals to logic, reasoning, rationality (ex. counteragrument, diction) Example- " If America wants to make new rules curtailing benefits of illegal immigrants, they should only to immigrants who arrive after those rules are already in place." From "Two Ways to Belong In America".

Wit

Definition- in modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights. A witty statement is humorous, while suggesting the speaker's verbal power in creating ingenious and perceptive remarks. Wit usually uses terse language that makes a pointed statement. Historically, wit originally meant basic understanding. Its meaning evolved to include speed of understanding, and finally, it grew to mean quick perception including creative fancy and a quick tongue to articulate an answer that demanded the same quick perception. Example-."A young healthy child well nursed is at a year old most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or broiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee or a ragout." The author is obviously surprising the audience by joking and using humor while making a statement about the serious starvation issue in his area. "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift

Prose

Definition- one of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms. In prose the printer determines the length of the line; in poetry, the poet determines the length of the line. Example- : "In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens" by Alice Walker.

Exposition

Definition- the first part of the plot sequence in a story. The beginning of the story where the characters and setting are introduced Example- From "Behind The Formaldehyde Curtain" by Jessica Mitford "The drama begins to unfold with the arrival of the corpse..."

Antithesis

Definition- the opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite Example-"The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here." From The Gettysburg Address.

Synesthesia

Definition- when one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another. Ex: The sight of red ants makes you itchy. In literature, synesthesia refers to the practice of associating two or more different senses in the same image. Red Hot Chili Peppers' song title,"Taste the Pain," is an example. Example-he sight of red ants makes you itchy. Red Hot Chili Peppers Taste of Pain

Paradox

Definition-- A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity. (Think of the beginning of Dickens' Tale of Two Cities: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times....") Example- "He has done everything in his power to make the funeral a real pleasure for everybody concerned." From "Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain" by Jessica Mitford

Aphorism

Definition-- A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle. (If the authorship is unknown, the statement is generally considered to be a folk proverb.) An aphorism can be a memorable summation of the author's point. Example- "Men say that a stitch in time saves nine, and so they take a thousand stitches today to save nine tomorrow" From "Where I Lived and What I Lived For" by Henry David Thoreau.

Pedantic

Definition-- An adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish (language that might be described as "show-offy"; using big words for the sake of using big words). Example- " ... I've gotten to be a terrible pessimist about things. Have you read 'The Rise of the Colored Empires' by this man Goddard? ...I suppose you've got to make your house into a pigsty in order to have any friends - in the modern world." from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Tone

Definition-- Similar to mood, tone describes the author's attitude toward his material, the audience, or both. Tone is easier to determine in spoken language than in written language. Considering how a work would sound if it were read aloud can help in identifying an author's tone. Some words describing tone are playful, serious, businesslike, sarcastic, humorous, formal, ornate, sardonic, somber, etc.

Onomatopoeia

Definition-A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words. Simple examples include such words as buzz, hiss, hum, crack, whinny, and murmur. If you note examples of onomatopoeia in an essay passage, note the effect. Example- "'If you have not meimslsxp and lgpdmurct by this time, then you should not be in this room'" From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris.

Personification

Definition-A figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions. Personification is used to make these abstractions, animals, or objects appear more vivid to the reader. Example- "America spoke to me--I embraced the demotion from expatriate aristocrat immigrant nobody" From "Two ways to Belong in America" by Bhartati Muckherjee.

Hyperbole

Definition-A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. (The literal Greek meaning is "overshoot.") Hyperboles often have a comic effect; however, a serious effect is also possible. Often, hyperbole produces irony. The opposite of hyperbole is understatement. Example-: "Volunteers fell over themselves to secure replacements for the missing equipment" from "Graduation" by Maya Angelou.

Metaphor

Definition-A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity. Metaphorical language makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought provoking, and meaningful. Example-"The operation was successful and the patient is doing well, thank you." from "How it Feels to Be Colored Me " by Zora Neale Hurston

Extanded Metaphor

Definition-A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work. Example: "My own image is of reaching back from a moving train to lift on board those who have no ticket." Shelby Steele compares the popular beleif that middle class blacks should help move the rest of their race to be middle class to reaching back from a moving train to give somene without a ticket a free on. Throughout the second to last paragraph of "On Being Black and Middle Class" Steele continues to compare the metaphor of the free ticket being given to people undeserving of the ticket to helping the rest of the less fortunate blacks.

Analogy

Definition-A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. Can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with or pointing out its similarity to something for familliar. Also make writting more vivid. Example-"As the loin cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himsef from wolves, you habe to be a fox in order to be wary of traps..." From The morals of the Prince.

Transition

Definition-A word or phrase that links different ideas. Used especially, although not exclusively, in expository and argumentative writing, transitions effectively signal a shift from one idea to another. A few commonly used transitional words or phrases are furthermore, consequently, nevertheless, for example, in addition, likewise, similarly, on the contrary, etc. More sophisticated writers use more subtle means of transition. Example- "Usually, for example, one would see a group of sharpies standing on the..." "Notes of a Native Son" by James Baldwin.

Satire

Definition-A work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule. Regardless of whether or not the work aims to reform human behavior, satire is best seen as a style of writing rather than a purpose for writing. It can be recognized by the many devices used effectively by the satirist: irony, wit, parody, caricature, hyperbole, understatement, and sarcasm. The effects of satire are varied, depending on the writer's goal, but good satire, often humorous, is thought provoking and insightful about the human condition Example- "Then and there I decided that I could never face another American funeral-even dead." from "Behind the Formaldeyde Curtain" by Jessica Mitford.

Rhetoric

Definition-From the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively. Example- "When the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation" From "Declaration of Independence" by Thomas Jefferson.

Didactic

Definition-From the Greek, didactic literally means "teaching." Didactic words have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles. Example-"Most tarantulas live in the Tropics, but several species occur in the temperate zone and a few are common in the southern U.S.." The Spider and The Wasp by Alexander Petrunkevitch

Thesis

Definition-In expository writing, the thesis statement is the sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position. Expository writing is usually judged by analyzing how accurately, effectively, and thoroughly a writer has proven the thesis. Example- "But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." From "The Declaration of Independence" by Thomas Jefferson.

Point of view

Definition-In literature, the perspective from which a story is told. There are two general divisions of point of view, and many subdivisions within those. (1) first person narrator tells the story with the first person pronoun, "I," and is a character in the story. This narrator can be the protagonist, a secondary character, or an observing character. (2) third person narrator relates the events with the third person pronouns, "he," "she," and "it." There are two main subdivisions to be aware of: a. third person omniscient, in which the narrator, with godlike knowledge, presents the thoughts and actions of any or all characters b. third person limited omniscient, in which the narrator presents the feelings and thoughts of only one character, presenting only the actions of all the remaining characters. In addition, be aware that the term point of view carries an additional meaning. When you are asked to analyze the author's point of view, the appropriate point for you to address is the author's attitude. Example-"I don't think that any of us believed Sam's faults were accurate representations of lower-class black life" "On Being Black and Middle Class" by Shelby Steele

Subordinate Clause

Definition-Like all clauses, this word group contains both a subject and a verb (plus any accompanying phrases or modifiers), but unlike the independent clause, the subordinate clause cannot stand alone; it does not express a complete thought. Also called a dependent clause, the subordinate clause depends on a main clause (or independent clause) to complete its meaning. Easily recognized key words and phrases usually begin these clauses. For example: although, because, unless, if, even though, since, as soon as, while, who, when, where, how and that. Example: Yellowstone is a national park in the West that is known for its geysers. underlined phrase = subordinate clause Example- "So that youll have some idea of what this family talk I heard sounds like..." From "Mother Tounge" by Amy Tan.

Diction

Definition-Related to style, diction refers to the writer's word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness. For the AP exam, you should be able to describe an author's diction (for example, formal or informal, ornate or plain) and understand the ways in which diction can complement the author's purpose. Diction, combined with syntax, figurative language, literary devices, etc., creates an author's style. Example- " I am a cripple." From "On Being a Cripple" by Nancy Mairs.

Semantics

Definition-The branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another. Example- " Most remote is the recently coined euphemism 'different abled', which partakes of the semantic hopefullness that transformed countries from 'undeveloped' to 'underdeveloped then to, 'less developed' and finally to 'developing' nations." From "On Being a Cripple" by Nancy Mairs.

Theme

Definition-The central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life. Usually theme is unstated in fictional works, but in nonfiction, the theme may be directly state, especially in expository or argumentative writing. Example-"She is here to maintain an identity, not to transform it." from "Two Ways to Belong in America" by Bharati Mukherjee.

Style

Definition-The consideration of style has two purposes: (1) An evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices. Some authors' styles are so idiosyncratic that we can quickly recognize works by the same author. We can analyze and describe an author's personal style and make judgments on how appropriate it is to the author's purpose. Styles can be called flowery, explicit, succinct, rambling, bombastic, commonplace, incisive, laconic, etc. (2) Classification of authors to a group and comparison of an author to similar authors. By means of such classification and comparison, we can see how an author's style reflects and helps to define a historical period, such as the Renaissance or the Victorian period, or a literary movement, such as the romantic, transcendental, or realist movement. Example- "I am moved that thousands of long term residents are finally takng the oath of citizenship. She is not. (narrative) From "Two Ways to Belong in America" By Bharati Mukherjee.

Irony/Ironic

Definition-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. Irony is often used to create poignancy or humor. In general, there are three major types of irony used in language: (1) verbal irony - when the words literally state the opposite of the writer's (or speaker's) meaning (2) situational irony - when events turn out the opposite of what was expected; when what the characters and readers think ought to happen is not what does happen (3) dramatic irony - when facts or events are unknown to a character in a play or piece of fiction but known to the reader, audience, or other characters in the work. Example- "The position of my white neighbor is much more difficult" From "How it Feels to Be Colored Me" by Zora Neale Hurston.

Allergory

Definition-The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. In some allegories, for example, an author may intend the characters to personify an abstraction like hope or freedom. The allegorical meaning usually deals with moral truth or a generalization about human existence. Example-"The possibilities of pleasure seemed that morning so enormous and so various that to have only a moth's part in life, and a day moth's at that, appeared a hard fate, and his zest in enjoying his meagre opportunities to the full, pathetic." From "The Death of the Moth" by Virginia Woolfe

Repetition

Definition-The duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern Example: "I might have reported...Or I might have calmly...Or I might have simply". Repetition of " I might" in "On Being Black and MIddle Class" by Shelby Steele

Atmosphere

Definition-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. Even such elements as a description of the weather can contribute to the atmosphere. Frequently atmosphere foreshadows events. Perhaps it can create a mood. Example- "In my minds eye I could see him, sitting at the window, locked up in his terrors; hating and fearing every living soul." From "Notes of a Native Son" by James Baldwin.

Ambiguity

Definition-The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage. Example- "This is the time for intestinal fortitude and determination." "Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain" by Jessica Mitford.

Imagery

Definition-The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. On a physical level, imagery uses terms related to the five senses: visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, and olfactory. On a broader and deeper level, however, one image can represent more than one thing. For example, a rose may present visual imagery while also representing the color in a woman's cheeks and/or symbolizing some degree of perfection. An author may use complex imagery while simultaneously employing other figures of speech, especially metaphor and simile. In addition, this term can apply to the total of all the images in a work. On the AP language exam, pay attention to how an author creates imagery and to the effect of this imagery. Example- "...remembered how the bedroom smelled of the lumber it was made of and of the wet woods whose scent entered through.." From E.B White's "Once More to the Lake"

Denotation

Definition-The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color. (Example: the denotation of a knife would be a utensil used to cut; the connotation of a knife might be fear, violence, anger, foreboding, etc.) Example- "expatriate" By Mukherjee From "Two Ways to Belong in America"

Colloquial/Colloquialism

Definition-The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing. Not generally acceptable for formal writing, colloquialisms give a work a conversational, familiar tone. Colloquial expressions in writing include local or regional dialects. Example- "I would probably 'go a piece of the way'" From "How it Feels to Be Colored Me" by Zora Neale Hurston.

Syntax

Definition-The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences. Syntax is similar to diction, but you can differentiate them by thinking of syntax as groups of words, while diction refers to the individual words. In the multiplechoice section of the AP exam, expect to be asked some questions about how an author manipulates syntax. In the essay section, you will need to analyze how syntax produces effects. Example: "Then he went on." From "On Being Black And Middle Class" Shelby Steele.

Antecedent

Definition-The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. The AP language exam occasionally asks for the antecedent of a given pronoun in a long, complex sentence or in a group of sentences Example-"Objects evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government..." The Antecedent of "their" is the people. From "The Declaration of Independence.

Rhetorical Modes

Definition-This flexible term describes the variety, the conventions, and the purposes of the major kinds of writing. The four most common rhetorical modes (often referred to as "modes of discourse") are as follows: (1) The purpose of exposition (or expository writing) is to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion. The AP language exam essay questions are frequently expository topics. (2) The purpose of argumentation is to prove the validity of an idea, or point of view, by presenting sound reasoning, discussion, and argument that thoroughly convince the reader. Persuasive writing is a type of argumentation having an additional aim of urging some form of action. (3) The purpose of description is to recreate, invent, or visually present a person, place, event or action so that the reader can picture that being described. Sometimes an author engages all five senses in description; good descriptive writing can be sensuous and picturesque. Descriptive writing may be straightforward and objective or highly emotional an subjective. (4) The purpose of narration is to tell a story or narrate an event or series of events. This writing mode frequently uses the tools of descriptive writing. Example- "the dictionary had a picture of it, long-tailed, long-eared, burrowing African mammal, which lives off termites caught by sticking out its tongue as an anteater does for ants."(description) From "Learning to read" by Malcolm X

Cumulative sentance

Definition-is an independent clause followed by a series of subordinate constructions (phrases or clauses) that gather details about a person, place, event, or idea. Example- from "Once More to the Lake" by E.B. White. "I lowered the tip of mine into the water, tentatively, pensively dislodging the fly, which darted two feet away, poised, darted two feet back, and came to rest again a little farther up the rod."

Allieration

Definition-the repetitions of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words. Example: "...far above our poor power to add or detract" "poor power" is an allieration. From "The Gettysburg Address"

Euphemism

Defintion-From the Greek for "good speech," euphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept. Example: "Mr.Jones is first laid out in undertakers office-ready to bid the world farewell" From Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain

Understatement

Denfinition-the ironic minimalizing of fact, understatement presents something as less significant than it is. The effect can frequently be humorous and emphatic. Understatement is the opposite of hyperbole. Example: Jonathan Swift's A Tale of a Tub: "Last week I saw a woman flayed, and you will hardly believe how much it altered her person for the worse." Example- "The funeral industry is equal to the challenge: 'In some cases the gruesome appearance of a mutilated or disease-ridden subject may be quite discouraging.'" "Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain" by Jessica Mitford