terms for the multiple-choice and essay sections for the multiple-choice and essay sections drama...

Terms for the Multiple-Choice and Essay Sections

Some of the foUowing lenns may be used in the muhiple-lthoicequeslions andor answers or in essay-secuon instructions You might choose (0 incorporate others imo yOW essay wrilin~ (or example 10 help explain the e ffeci of a literary device

menlioned in the essay prompt

ad hominem argument From the Latin meaning to or against the man this is an argument thai appeals to emotion rather than reason 10 feeling rather than intelecL

allegory The device of using character andor slUry elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in nddition to the Iileraj meaning Tn some allegories for example an author may intend the characters 10 personify an abstraction like hope or freedom The al1egoricru meaning usually deals with moral troth or a generalization about human existence

alliteration The repetition of sounds especially initial conronant sounds in two or more neighboring words (as in she sells sea shell s) Although the tenn is not used in the multiple-choice section you cao look for all iteration in any essay passage The repetition can rei nforce meaning unify ideas andlor supply a musical sound

allusion A direct or indiIect reference to something that is presumably commo nly known such as an event book myth place or work of an A llus ion~ can be historical (like referring to Hitler) literary (like referring 10 Kuru in Heart ofDarklless) religious (like referri ng to Noah and the flood) or mythical (like referring to AUas) There are of course many more possibilities and a work may simullalleously use multiple layers of allusion

ambiguity The muhiple meanings either intentional or uninlentional of a word phrase sentence or passage

analogy A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between thtm An analogy can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with or pointing out ilS similaricy to something more familiar Analogies can also makt writing more vivid imaginative and inlellectually engaging

antecedent The word phrase or clause referred to by a pronoun The AP English Language and Composition Exam occasionally asks for the antecedent of a given pronoun in a long complex sentence or in II group of sentences

antithesis A figure of speech involving a seeming contradiction of ideas words clauses or sentences within a balanced grunmaticaJ structure 11le resulting parallelism serves 10 emphasize opposition of ideas The familiar phrase Man pro-shyposes God disposes is an example of anti thesis as is John Drydens description in 71le Hirul arulthe PWIher Too black or heaven and yet too white for hell

apborism A terse statement of known authorship that expresses a general tr1l1 or moral principle (If the authorship is unknown the statement is generally considered to be a folk proverb) An aphori sm can be a memorable summation of the authors point

apostrophe A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or perso nified abstraction such as liben y or love The effect may add familiarity or emotional intensity William Wordswonh addresses John Milton alt he writes Milton Ihou shouldst be living at this hour England hath need of thee

atmosphere The emotional mood created by the entirety of a literary work established partly by the setting and pMlly by the author s choice of objects thm are described Even such elements as a description of the weather can contribute to the atmosphere Frequently atmosphere foreshadows events See mood

caricature A represe0131ion especiall y pictorial or literary in which the subjects distinctive features or peculiarities are deliberately exaggerated 10 produce a comic or groteltque effect Sometimes cancarure can be so ex-aggerated thai it becomes a grotesque imitation o r misrepresentation Synonymous words include burlesque parody traves ) salire lampoon

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Part V Glossary of Important TelJl1s for the AP English language and Composition Exam

chiasmus A figure of speech based on inverted parallelism It is a rhetorical figure in which two clauses are related to

each another through a reversal of terms The purpose is usually to make a larger point or to provide balance or order In classical rhetoric the parallel structures did not repeat words such as found in Alexander Popes Essay on Man His ti me a moment and a point his space However contemporary standards allow for repeated words a commonly ciled example comes from John F Kennedys inaugural addre~s ask not what Y()(J r country can do for you-ask what yOll can do for your country

clause A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb An independent or maio clause expresses a comshyplete thought and can stand alone as a sente nce A dependent or subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent clausc Examine this sample sentence Because I practiced hard my AP scores were high In this senlence the independent clause is my AP scores were high and the dependent clause is Because I pracliced hard

colloquialism Slang or informality in ~peech or writing NO( generally acceptable for fannal writing colloquialisms give work a conversational familiar tone Colloquial expressions in wri ti ng include local or regional dialects

conceit A fanciful expression usually in the form of an extended metapho r Of surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects A conceit displays intellectual cleverness due to the unusual comparison being made

connotatlon The nonliteml associative meaJJing of a word the implied suggested meaniog Connotations may involve ideas emotions o r attitudes See denotation

denotation The strict liteml dictionary definit ion of a word devoid of any emQ( ion attitude or color See connotation

diction Related to style dict ion refers to the writers word choices especially with regard (0 their correctness clearshyness or effectiveness For the AP Language and Composition Exam you should be able to describe an authors diction (for example fonnal or informal omate o r plain) and understand Ihe ways in which diction can complement the author s purpose Diction combined with syntax fi gurative language literary devices and $0 on creates an authors style Note This term frequently appears in the essay questionS wording In your thesis avoid phrases such as The author uses diction Because diction by definition is word choice this phrase really says The author chooses words to wri te which is as redundant (and silly) as claiming A painttr uses pai nts to paint At least try to put an adjective in fron t of the word dictiooto help descri be it such as stark diction or flowery and soft diction See syntax

didactic From the Greek didactic litemlly means instructive Didactic works have the primary aim of teaching or instructing especial ly the teaching of moml or ethical principles

euphemism From the Greek for good speech euphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for genershyally unpleasant words or concepts The euphemism may be used 10 adhere to Slandards of social or political correctness or to add humor or ironic under~tatemen Saying earthly remains rather than corpse is nn example o f euphemism

extended metapbor A metaphor developed at great length occurring frequently in o r throughout a work See metaphor

figurative language Writing or speech Ihal is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imagishynalive and vivid See figure 01 speech

figure of speech A device used to produce figu rative language Many compare dissimilar things Figures of speech joclude for example apostrophe hyperbole irony metaphor metonymy oxymoron paradox personificatio n simile synecdoche and understatement

generic conventions Thi s term describes traditions for each genre These convention s help to define each genre for example they differentiate between an essay and journalist ic writing or an autobiography and political writing On the AP Language and Composition Exam try to distinguish the unique features of a write rs work from those dictated by convention

genre The major category into whic h a literary work filS The basic divisions of literature are prose poetry and drama However genre is a flexible tenn within these broad boundaries exist many subdivisions that are often called genres themseles For example prose can be divided into fictio n (novels and short stories) or nonfiction (essays biographies autobiographies and so on) Poelry can be divided into such subcategorie as lyric dramatic narrative epic and so on

66

Tenns for the Multiple-Choice and Essay Sections

Drama can be divided into tragedy comedy melodrnma farcc and so on On the AP Language and Composition E~am middot~pecllhe majority of the passages to be from the following genres autobiography biography diaries criticism and

essays as well as journalistic political scie ntific and nature writing

bomJly This term literally means sermon but more infonnally it can include any serious talk speech or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice

hyperbole A figure o f speech using deliberate claggeration or overstatement Hyperboles often have a comic effect bowever l serious effect is atso possible Often hyperbole produces irony at the same time

imagery The sensory details or figurative language used to describe arouse emotion or represent abstractions On a pbysicalleveJ imagery uses terms related to the five senses we refer to visual auditory tactile gustatory or olfactory imagery On a broader and deeper level however one image can represent more than one thing For example a rose

middot mey present visual imagery while also representing the color in a womans cheeks An author therefore may use comshy-plex imagery while simultaneously employing other figures or speech especially metaphor and simile In adwtiorJ this

term can apply 10 the total of all the images in a work On theAP Language and Composition Exam pay attention to ~ how an author creates imagery and the effect of Chat imagery bull fnferenceJinfer To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented When a multiple-choice q uestion

asks for an inference to be drawn from (he passage the most direct most reasonable inference is the safest answer -middotchoice If an inference is implausible ifs unlike ly to be the correct answer Note that if the answer choice is directly

~ stated it is nor inferred and is wrong

Iuvective An emotionally violent verbal denunciation or attack using strong abusive language

lronyllroruc The contrast between what is slated expljcitly and what is really meant the difference between what appears to be and what actually is true Irony is used for many reasons but frequently its used (0 create poignancy or

humor In general three major types of irony are used in language

1 In verbal irony the words literally Slate the opposite of the writers (or speakers) true meaning

2 In situational irony events tum QUtthe opposite of what was expected What the characters and readers think ought to happen does not actually happen

3 In dramatic irony facts or events are unknown to a characte r in a play or piece of fiClion but known 10 he reader audience or other characters in Ihe work

juxtaposition Placing diSSimi lar items descriptions or ideas close together or side by side especially fot comparison or contrast

loose sentence A type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes firsl followed by dependent middot grammatical units such as phrases and clauses If a period were placed al the end of the independent clause the clause

would be a complete sentence A work containing many loose sentences often seems infomuU relaxed and conversashy tional See periodic senlence

metaphor A figure of speech using implied comparison ofscerningly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other suggesting some similarity Metaphorical language makes writing more vivid imaginative thought provolcing and meaningful See simile

r metonymy A tenn from the Greek meaning changed label or substitute name metonymy is a figu re of speech in which the name of Olle object is subsrinned for thai of anolher closely associated with it A news release that claims

~ the White House declared rather than the President declared is us ing meto nymy This term is unlikely to be used in middot the multiple-choice seclion but you might sce examples of metonymy in an essay pas~ge

mood This term has two distinct lechnical meanings in English writing The frrst meaning is grammatical and deals with verbal units and a speakers att irude The indicative mood is used only for factual sentences For example Joe eats too quickly Thejubjunclive mood is used for a doubrful or condi tional attitude For example middotIf I were you Id get another job The imperative mood is used for commands For example Shut the door The second meaning of mood is literary meaning the prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work Setting tone and eveDts can affect the mood In this uSlge mood is similar to tone and atmosphere

67

Part V Glo~sary of Important Terms for the AP English Language and CompositiCln Exam

narrutive The telling of a story or an account of an even or senes of events

onomatopoeia A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words Simple examples inshyclude such words llS buzz hiss hum crack whinny and murmur This term is not used in the multiple-choice section If you identify examples of onomatopoeia in an essay passage note the effect

oxymoron Prom the Greek for pointedly fooli sh an oxymoron is a figu re 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 appear in the multiplemiddotchoice questions but there is a slight chance you will see it used by an author in an essay passage or find it useful in your own essay writing

paradox A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed 10 common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity The first scene of Macbeth for example closes with the witches cryptic remark Fair is foul and foul is fair

parallelism Also referred to as paralle l construction or parallel structure lhis leon 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 A famous example of parnllelism begins Charles Dickenss novel A Tale oTwo Cities11 was the best of times it was the worst of times it was (he age of wisdom it was the age of foolishness it was the epoch of belief it was he epoch of incredulity The effects of parallelism are numerous but frequently they act as an organizing force to attract the readers attention add emphaIis and organization or simply provide a pleasing musical rhythm Other famous exampJes include Julius Caesar s I came I saw I conquered or as Te nnysons poem Ulysses claims To strive 10 seek to find and not to yield

parody A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic e ffect andor ridicule As comedy parody distons or exaggerates distinctive feat ures of the original As ridicule it mimics the work by repeating and borrowing words phrases or chararuristics in order to illuminate weaknesses in the originaL Well-written parody offers insight into 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 dont require knowledge of the original

pedantic An adjective thai describes words phrases or generai tone that is overly scholarly academic or bookish

periodJc seutence A senlence 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 For example Ecstatic with my AP scores r let out a loud shout of joy The effect of a periodic sentence is to add emphasis and structural variety See loose sentence

personification A figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts animals or inanimate objeccs by endowing them with human attributes or emotions Penionification is used to make these abstractions animals or objects appear more vivid 10 the reader

point of view In literature the penspeclive from which a story is told T here are two general divisions of point of view and many subdivisions within those

1 Thejirst middotperson narrator tells the slory with the firstmiddotperson pronoun 1 and is a character in the story This narrator can be the protagonist (the hero or heroine) a participant (a character in a secondary role) or an observer (a character who merely watches the action)

2 The rhird-person narrOlOr relates the events with the third-person pronouns he she and it Be aware of two main subdivisions omniscienl and limited omniscient rn the third-person omniscient point of view the narrashytor with godlike knowledge presents the thoughts and aclions of any or all charncteIs This all-knowing narrator can reveal what each character fee ls and thinks at [my given moment The third-person limited-omniscient point of view as its name implies presents the feelings and thoughts of only one character and only the actions of all remaining characters This definition applies in questions in the multiple-choice sectioo However on the essay portion of the exam the tenn point of view canies a different meaning When youre ask-ed to analyu an aulhors point of view address the authors aflitude

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~ predicate adjeeUves One type of subject complement-ad adjlaquo tive group of adjlaquolives or adjlaquot1ve clause that follows a linking verb It is in t~e predicate of the sentence and modifies or describes the subjcct For example in the sentence My boyfriend is tall dark and handsome the group of predicate adjeclives (tall dark and handsome) describes boyfriend

predicate nominative A second type of subject eomplcment-a noun group of nouns or noun clause that renames the wbjeclU like the predicate adjective follows a linking verb and is located in the predicate of the sentence For example ill the sentence Abe Lincoln was a man of integrity the predicate nominative is man of integrity as it renames Abe Lincoln Occasionally this teon or the tenn predicate adjective appears in a multiple-choice question

prose One of the major divisions of genre prose refers to fiction and nonfiction inc luding alJ its fonns because they are wrinen in ordinary language and most closely resemble everyday speech Technically anything that isn t poeuy or drama is prose Therefore all passages in the AP Language and Composition Eiam are prose Of course prose writmiddot m often borrow poetic and dramatic clements

repetition The duplication e ither exact or approiimate of any eJemell of language such as a sound word phrase clause sentence or grammatical pattern When repetition is poorly done it bores but when it ~ well done it links and

~- emphasizes ideas while allowing the reader the comfort of recognizing something familiar See parallelism

rhetoric From the Greek for orator this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively eloquently and persuasively

rhetorical appeal The persuasive device by which a writer tries to sway the audiences aUentian and response to any pvcn work l1ulc rhetorical appeals were deOned by Aristotle

I Logos e mploys logical reasoning combining a clear idea (or multipfe ideas) with well -thought-out and approprimiddot ate examples and details These supports are logically presented and rationally reach the writers conclusion

l poundlhos establishes credibility in the speaker Since by definition ethos means the common attitudes beliefs and characteristics o f a group or time period this appeal sets up believability in me writer He o r she is perceived as someone who can be trusted and is concerned with me readers best interests

3 Palhos plays on the readers emotions and interests A sympathetio audience is more likely to accept a Titers assertions so this appeal draws upon that understanding and uses it to the writers advantage

rhetorical modes This flex ible term describes the variety the conventions and the purposes of the major kinds of writing Sometimes referred to IlS modes of discourse the four most common rhetorical modes and their purposes are as

follows

1 The purpose of exposition (or expository writing) is to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea relemiddot vant evidence and appropriate discussion The AP Language and Composition Eiam essay questions are frequently set up as eipository topics

1 1be purpose of argumenlation is to prove the validity of an idea or point of view by presenting sound reasoning thoughtful discussion and insightful argument that tho roughly convince the reader Persuasive writing is a type of argumentation having the additional aim of urging some fonn of action Many AP Language and Composition Exam essay quest ions ask you to form an argument

3 1be purpose of description is to re-create invent or visually present a person place event or action so that the reader can picture that being descri~ Sometimes an author engages all five senses in description good descripshytive writing can be sensuous and picturesque Descriplive may be Slraighlforward and objective or tughly emoshytional and subjective

4 1be purpose of narration is to tell a story or narrate an event or serie of events This writing mode frequently uses the tools of descriptive writing

rhetorical question A question thai is asked merely for effect and does not eltpect a reply The answer is assumed

sarcasm From the Greek meaning 0 tear fleSh sarcasm involves biuer caustic language that is meant 10 hurt or ridicule someone Of something It may use irony as a device but not all ironic sultements are sarcastic (that is intendshying 0 ridicule) When well done sarcasm can be witty and insightful when poorly done its simply cruel

69

Part V Glossary of Important Terms for the AP English language and Composition Exam

satire A work that targets human vices and folli es or social institutions and conventions fo r refonn or ridicule Regardless of whether or not the work aims to reform humans or their society sati re is best seen as a style of writing rather than a purpose for writing It can be recogni7ed by the many dev ices used effectively by the satirist such as irony wit parody caricature hyperbole understatement and sarcasm The effects of satire are varied depending on the writers goal but good satire-often humorous-is thought provoking and insightful about the human condition

simile An explicit comparison nonnally using ike (1 or if For example remember Robbie Bumss famous lines 0 my love is like a red red rose I Thats newly sprung in Junc1 O my love is like a melody I Thats sweetly played in tune Sec metaphor

style The consideration of style has two purposes

1 An evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction syntax fig urative language and other literary devices Some authors styles are so idiosyncratic that we can quickly recognize works by the same author (or writer emulating that authors style) Compare for ex ample Jonathan Swift to George Orwell or William Faulkner to Ernest Hemingway We can analyze and describe an authors personal style and make judgshyments on how appropriate it is to the authors purpose Styles can be called flowery explicit succinct rambling bombastic commonpl ace inc isive or laconic to name only a few examples

2 Classification of authors to a group and comparison of an author to similar authors

By means of such classifi cation and comparison one can see how an authors 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

subject complement 1be word (with any accompanying phrases) or clause that follows a linking verb and comple ments or completes the subject of the sentence by either ( I) renaming it or (2) describing it The former is technically called a predicate nominative the latter a predicate adjective See predicate nominative and predicate adjective for examples of sentences This term is occasionally used in a multiple-choice question

subordina te clause Like all clauses lhis word group contains both a subject and a verb (plus any accompanying phrases or modifi ers) 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 sometimes called an independent clause to complete its meaning Eas ily recognized key words and phrases usually begin the~ clausesshyfor example although because unless i f even though since as soon as while who when where how and that

syllogism From the Greek for reckoning together a syllogism (or syllogistic reasoning) is a deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises-the first one called major and the second minor-that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion A frequently cited example proceeds as follows

bull Major premise All men are mortal

bull Mihor premise Socrates is a man

bull Conclusion Therefore Socrates is mortal

A syllogisms conclusion is vatid only if each of the two premises are valid Syllogisms may also present the specific idea first (Socrates) and the general idea second (All men)

symboVsym~ism Generally anything that represents or stands for something else Usually a symbol is something concrete-such as an object action chamcter or scene- that representlt something more abstract However symbols and symbolism can be much more complex One system classifies symbols in three categories

I Natural symbols use objects and occurrences from nature to represent ideas commonly associated with them (dawn symbolizing hope or a new beginning a rose symbolizing love a tree symbolizing knOWledge)

2 ConvenJionaI symbols are those thal have been invested with meaning by a group (religious symbols such as a cross or Star of David national symbols such as a fl ag or an eagle or group symbols such as skull and crossshybones for pirates or the scales of j ustice for lawyers)

70

Terms for the M ultiple-Cho ice and Essay Sectio~

J Literary symbols are ~ometi llles also conVClllional in the sense that they Ire found ill a variety of works and are generally recogn ized Huwever a works symbols Illy be more complicated such as the whale in Mohy Dick and the ju ngle in Heart of Oarklleu On the AP Lmguagc lttnd Composition Exlttm try to determine what ahstraction OIn object is a ymlgtol for lttlld to what extent it is successful in rcprcscrll ing thOlI Ibstntction

syntax The way n alllhor chcxlgtIs to join wllIds inti) phrOlscs cbusc~ and ltelllcr ls Syntu is sim ilar to diction but you can differentiate the twu by thinking of syntax r~ refelTing 10 gmufJS of words while dictiun refers to individu words In the multiple-choice section of the AP Iangungc and Compositiun Exam expcltt to be asked some questions about how an author manipulates syntax In the essay $Cction you will need to malY71 how syntax produces effects When you are analyzing syntax consider such dcmellls as the length or brevity of Slntences UllltSU11 sentenc constmclions the sentence patterns used and the kind of sentences the author uses TI1C writer Illay use questions dcdarJ tiuns exclamashytions or rhctorkalljucstions ocntences arc ltI1so dL~iliedr~ periodic ~r looC ~i mple compound or complex sentences Syntax can be Iricky for ~t udcnts to analYc First try ltl das~i fy whll kiml of sen tcnces the author use~ and then try to determine Iww the authors choicc amplify meOlning in other words why hey work well for the authors purpose

theme Thc tcll tm idea or mcslge ofa work the insight it urTels into life Usually theme is unstated in fictiona l works but in nonfiction Ihe theme llIay be JirlXtly stated cspecia lly in cIposiwry or lrgumcntative writing Frequently a theme can be stated as a universal trulh that is a genenll statement tbllut thc human ~ondition about society or about mans relat ion to the natural wnrld

thesis In expository writ ing the thcsis sta tcment i~ the scntcrllC or group III sentences that directl y expresses tilt authors opinion purpose l1l~aning or prorosit ion_ EXlgtOsitory writing i usually judged by analyzing h)w n(uTUlely effectively and thoroughly a writer has proven the thesis

tone Simi lar to mood tone dc~c ri bcs thc authors altitude tow~rd his or hcr malerial the ludiencc or both Tone is easier to dClcrlllin~ in spoken language than in wrirten languugl Considering how a work would st)und if it were rc~d aloud CUll help in identifying an ltIthors tonc Some words uesr ihing tone are play ful serious husinesslike sarcastic humorous formal omate IIlU somber As wilh 1Iti lulk an authors lone in the CXlIllS passngcs can rarely be de~c ribed by one wI)rd ElI lgtcct that it will be more com plex See attitude in Terms for the EssOIY Section laler in thi chapler

transition A word or phrase thllt tink~ differen t idea Used cSlecidly although nOI exclusively in expository and argumiddot mcntillive wri ting tmnsilions effectively signal a shift from one idea to another A fcw commonly used tmnsilional words or phrlcs arc funhennore conseqlllntly nevenheless for example i n addi tion likewise similarly and on the comrlttry

understatement The ironic mini miing of farl understalcllIelll presents something us less significant than il is The effect can frequently be humorous ami emphatic Understatement is the opposite of li)peri)l)le Two specific types of understatement exist

1 litotes A fiurc o f spceh by which an allirmation is made indirectly by tlullyi ng ils opposite It uses understateshyment for emphasis frequently with l negat ive Is~ rtion Exampk II was no mean feat melIls it was quite hard I-Ie was riot ilverse to it drin k rnCU1lgt he t1rmk a 1)(

2 meiosis The Greek term for undcrSiale mcnt or beliHl ing a rhClOrkal ligure hy whic h sOlllething is referred 10 in te rms less important han it fCllly dc~ervc~ It dcscrib-s ~ornclhillg Ihat is very i mprts~ive with simplicity Example When MeTCllIio calls his rnol1al wou nd a scralch in NflIllt 1111(1 )ulit

wil In 1I10derrlll~rgt wit is intdlelttu lily amusing langulgc that surprises and delights A witty statement is humorous while suggesting the speakers verbal power in crealinl ingeniuus and perceptive remarks Wit usually use~ terse language Ihat makes a pointed StltcmCIlI Hislorically wit originally meant hasilt uodcr~tand i ng Its meanin evolved to include speed or underst anding and linally (in the early 17th CCnlury) il grew 10 rncm Iu ick perception including creative rOlncy

71

Part V Glossary of Important Terms for the AP English Lang~and ComJO=~ -________t~o~n~Exa~m

Terms for the Essay Section The following words and phrdses have appeared in recent AP Language and Composition Exam ecmy topics Ahhough what follows is not a comprehensive list of every word or phrase you mighl encounler il wi ll help you understand what youre being askerl to do for a topic

attitude A writers intellectual position or emot ion regarding the subject of the writing In the essay section expecl lo be asked what the writers attitude is and how his or her language conveys Ihal attitude Also be aware that although the si nmiddot gular term attitude is used in this definition and on the eXlm the passage will mrely have only one attitude More oflen than not the authors attitude will be more complex and the student who presents this complexity--no mailer how subtJc the differences- will appear to be more astute than the student who only uses one adjective lo describe attitude Of eourse dont force an attitude that has no evidence in the passage instead understand that an accurate statement of an authors attitude is not likely to be a blatantly obvious idea If it were tbat si mple the test committee wouldnt ask you to discuss it

concrete deta il Strictly defined concrete refers to nouns that name physical objects-a bridge a book or a coat Concrete nouns are the opposite of abstract nou ns (which refer to concepts like freedom and love) However as used in the essay portion of the AP Language and Composition Exam this term has a slightly different connotation The direcshytions may read sometbing like this Provide concrete details that will convince the reader This means that your essay should include details in the passage at times you ll be allowed I() provide details from your own life (readings obsermiddot vat ions experiences and so forth )

descriptive details When an essay uses this phrase look for the writers sensory description Descriptive detail appea ling to the visual sense is usually tbe most predominant but don t overlook other sensory details As usual after you identify a passages descriptive details analyze their effect

devices The fi gures of speecb syntax dict ion and otber tylistic elements that collectively produce a particular artistic effect

language When youre asked to middotanalyze the language concentrate on how the e lements of language combine to form a whole-how diction syntax figurati ve language and sentence structure create a cu mulative effect

narrative devices This term describes the tools of the storyteller (also used in nonfiction) such as ordering events SO that they build to a climactic moment or withholdi ng infomlation until a crucial or appropriate momcnt when revealing it creates a desired effect On the essay portiOfi of the exam this lerm may also apply to biographical and autobiograph ical writing

narrative technique The style of te ll ing tbe story even if the passage is nonfiction Concentrate on the order of events and on their detail in evaluating a wri ters technique

persuasive devices When asked to anal yze an authors persuasive devices look for the words in the paage that have strong connotations- words that intensify Ihe emotional effect In addition anuiyze how these words complement the writers argument as it bui lds logically Speeches are often used in this context because they arc generally designed to persuade

persuasive essay When asked 10 write a persuasive essay you should present a coherent argumenl in whicb the evishydence builds to a logical and relevant conclusion Strong persuasive essays often appeal to the audiences emotions or ethical standards

resourcesor language This phrase refers to all the devices of compo~ition available to II writcr such as diction synshytax sentence structure and fi gures of specch The cumulative e ffect of a work is proouced by the resources of language a writer chooses

rhetor lcal reatures Tbis phrase refers to how a passage is constructed If asked to consider rhetorical structure look at the passages organization and how the writer combines images details or arguments to serve his or her purpose

72


_tatce structure When lUI essay question asks you to analyze sentence structure look at the type of sentence the

IIUhor uses Remember that the basic sentence structures are simple compound and comple and variations created lfilb sentence combi ning Also consider variation or lack of it in sentence length any unusual dcvicC in sentence conshystruction such as repetition or inverted word order and any unusual word or phrase placemenl As with all devices be prepared to discuss the effect of the sentence structure For example a series of short simple sentences or phrases can produce a feeling of speed and choppiness which may suit the authors purpose

stytistk devices An essay prompt that mentions stylistic devices is asking you to note and analyze all of the elcmenLs in language that contribute to slylc--such as diction syntlU tone attitude figures of speech connotations and repetition

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Part V Glossary of Important TelJl1s for the AP English language and Composition Exam

chiasmus A figure of speech based on inverted parallelism It is a rhetorical figure in which two clauses are related to

each another through a reversal of terms The purpose is usually to make a larger point or to provide balance or order In classical rhetoric the parallel structures did not repeat words such as found in Alexander Popes Essay on Man His ti me a moment and a point his space However contemporary standards allow for repeated words a commonly ciled example comes from John F Kennedys inaugural addre~s ask not what Y()(J r country can do for you-ask what yOll can do for your country

clause A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb An independent or maio clause expresses a comshyplete thought and can stand alone as a sente nce A dependent or subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent clausc Examine this sample sentence Because I practiced hard my AP scores were high In this senlence the independent clause is my AP scores were high and the dependent clause is Because I pracliced hard

colloquialism Slang or informality in ~peech or writing NO( generally acceptable for fannal writing colloquialisms give work a conversational familiar tone Colloquial expressions in wri ti ng include local or regional dialects

conceit A fanciful expression usually in the form of an extended metapho r Of surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects A conceit displays intellectual cleverness due to the unusual comparison being made

connotatlon The nonliteml associative meaJJing of a word the implied suggested meaniog Connotations may involve ideas emotions o r attitudes See denotation

denotation The strict liteml dictionary definit ion of a word devoid of any emQ( ion attitude or color See connotation

diction Related to style dict ion refers to the writers word choices especially with regard (0 their correctness clearshyness or effectiveness For the AP Language and Composition Exam you should be able to describe an authors diction (for example fonnal or informal omate o r plain) and understand Ihe ways in which diction can complement the author s purpose Diction combined with syntax fi gurative language literary devices and $0 on creates an authors style Note This term frequently appears in the essay questionS wording In your thesis avoid phrases such as The author uses diction Because diction by definition is word choice this phrase really says The author chooses words to wri te which is as redundant (and silly) as claiming A painttr uses pai nts to paint At least try to put an adjective in fron t of the word dictiooto help descri be it such as stark diction or flowery and soft diction See syntax

didactic From the Greek didactic litemlly means instructive Didactic works have the primary aim of teaching or instructing especial ly the teaching of moml or ethical principles

euphemism From the Greek for good speech euphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for genershyally unpleasant words or concepts The euphemism may be used 10 adhere to Slandards of social or political correctness or to add humor or ironic under~tatemen Saying earthly remains rather than corpse is nn example o f euphemism

extended metapbor A metaphor developed at great length occurring frequently in o r throughout a work See metaphor

figurative language Writing or speech Ihal is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imagishynalive and vivid See figure 01 speech

figure of speech A device used to produce figu rative language Many compare dissimilar things Figures of speech joclude for example apostrophe hyperbole irony metaphor metonymy oxymoron paradox personificatio n simile synecdoche and understatement

generic conventions Thi s term describes traditions for each genre These convention s help to define each genre for example they differentiate between an essay and journalist ic writing or an autobiography and political writing On the AP Language and Composition Exam try to distinguish the unique features of a write rs work from those dictated by convention

genre The major category into whic h a literary work filS The basic divisions of literature are prose poetry and drama However genre is a flexible tenn within these broad boundaries exist many subdivisions that are often called genres themseles For example prose can be divided into fictio n (novels and short stories) or nonfiction (essays biographies autobiographies and so on) Poelry can be divided into such subcategorie as lyric dramatic narrative epic and so on

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terms for the multiple-choice and essay sections for the multiple-choice and essay sections drama...

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