AP Terms Hit List
metonymy
A figure of speech in which something is referred to by using the name of something that is associated with it. ex- the pen is mightier than the sword (pen stands for reason and sword stands for war)
loose sentence
A type of sentence which begins with a main clause that is followed by phrases and/or clauses that modify the main clause. ex- I went to the movies yesterday, bought candy, and shopped at the mall.
polysyndeton
Deliberate use of many conjunctions. ex- I love to spend time with my mother and my father and my sister and my dog.
juxtaposition
Placement of two things closely together to emphasize comparisons or contrasts. ex- she lives on the good side of town while he lives on the bad side of town
synecdoche
a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa. ex- check out my new wheels (wheels means a car)
conceit
a figure of speech in which two vastly different objects are likened together with the help of similes or metaphors. ex- My life is like a free online game that everyone seems to be playing with
aphorism
a pithy observation that contains a general truth. ex- if it ain't broke, don't fix it
paradox
a statement that seems contradictory but is actually true. ex- no one went to the amusement park because it was so busy
archetype
a very typical example of a certain person or thing. ex- in a story, there is always a bully who intimidates others and the hero who saves the day
parody
a work which imitates another in a ridiculous manner. ex- our little sister puts on your father's big shoes and stomps around in them, saying, "I need to make a business call. I am a very busy, very important businessman!"
aysndeton
a writing style with omission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words. ex- I came. I saw.
antithesis
opposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism. ex- the sun and moon, the devil and God, conservative and liberal.
inductive reasoning
reasoning from detailed facts to general principles. ex- The coin I pulled from the bag is a penny. That coin is a penny. A third coin from the bag is a penny. Therefore, all the coins in the bag are pennies
periodic sentence
sentence whose main clause is withheld until the end. ex- Despite the blinding snow, the freezing temperatures, and the heightened threat of attack from polar bears, the team continued
deductive reasoning
the conclusion is true if the premises are true. ex- William is a man. all men are mortal. therefore, William is mortal.
connotation
the implied meaning of the word. ex- childlike means having good qualities associated with a child but it can mean that someone is childish
anaphora
the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. ex- Then he left. Then he got a dog. Then he died.
colloquialism
use of slang in speech or writing. ex- what's poppin y'all