(mĕtŏn′ ĭmē) 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 ofanother closely associated with it. For example, a news release that claims "the White House declared" rather than "thePresident declared" is using metonymy; Shakespeare uses it to signify the male and female sexes in As You Like It: "doubletand hose ought to show itself courageous to petticoat." The substituted term generally carries a more potent emotionalimpact.

1a

metonymy

1b

(pronounced almost like "little tee") - a formof understatement that involves making anaffirmative point by denying its opposite. Litote is the opposite of hyperbole.Examples: "Not a bad idea," "Not many," "Itisn't very serious. I have this tiny little tumoron the brain" (Salinger, Catcher in the Rye).

2a

litotes

2b

Also known as parallel construction. This issentence construction which places equalgrammatical constructions near each otheror repeats patterns two or more times.

3a

Parallelism

3b

the art of interpreting or discovering themeaning of a text; usually involves closereading and special attention to figurativelanguage.

4a

explication

4b

The atmosphere created by the literatureand accomplished largely through wordchoice (diction). Syntax is often acontributor to this since word order andsentence length also affect pacing (therebyaffecting this).

5a

Mood

5b

Author directly describes character.

6a

direct characterization

6b

Author subtly reveals the character throughactions and interactions.

7a

indirect characterization

7b

A brief recounting of a relevantincident/story. These are often inserted intotexts as a way of developing a point orinjecting humor.

8a

Anecdote

8b

A character or force in conflict with the maincharacter.

9a

antagonist

9b

A character who demonstrates somecomplexity and who develops or changes in

the course of a work

10a

round character

10b

A character who grows, learns, or changes asa result of the story's action.

11a

dynamic character

11b

A comparison of two different things that aresimilar in some way

12a

analogy

12b

A comparison using like or as

13a

simile

13b

a conclusion one draws (infers) based onpremises or evidence

14a

inference

14b

the depiction of people, things and events asthey really are without idealization or

exaggeration for effect.

15a

realism

15b

Description that appeals to the senses (sight,sound, smell, touch, taste)

16a

imagery

16b

descriptive writing that greatly exaggeratesa specific feature of a person'sappearance or a facet of personality

17a

caricature

17b

A direct or indirect reference to somethingthat is presumably already known by thereader, such as an event, a myth, a location,a character, or a work of art.

18a

Allusion

18b

An emotionally violent, verbal denunciationor attack using strong, abusive language.

19a

Invective

19b

an evaluation of the sum of the choices anauthor makes in blending diction, syntax,figurative language, and other literarydevices.

20a

style

20b

Events turn out the opposite of what wouldreasonably be expected.

21a

Situational irony

21b

An exaggerated imitation of a serious workfor humorous purposes. It borrows words orphrases from an original and pokes fun at it.This is also a form of allusion since it isreferencing a previous text, event, or person.

22a

Parody

22b

excessive pride that oftens affects tone

23a

hubris

23b

exposition, rising action, climax, fallingaction, resolution

24a

elements of plot

24b

figure of speech in the form of a questionposed for rhetorical effect rather than for the

purpose of getting an answer

25a

rhetorical question

25b

A figure of speech using an impliedcomparison of seemingly unlike things, orthe substitution of one for another,suggesting some similarity. It is usuallyidentified by comparing objects directly,using words "was" or "is";(example: She wasa cold-hearted snake.)

26a

Metaphor

26b

form of literature in which irony, sarcasm,and ridicule are employed to attack human

vice and folly

27a

satire

27b

From the Greek for "pointedly foolish," anoxymoron is a figure of speech wherein theauthor groups apparently contradictory terms tosuggest a paradox. Simple examples include"jumbo shrimp" and "cruel kindness." This termdoes not usually appear in the multiple-choicequestions, but there is a chance that you mightfind it in an essay. Take note of the effect that theauthor achieves with the use of oxymoron.

28a

Oxymoron

28b

harsh, awkward sounds used deliberately inpoetry or prose

29a

cacophony; dissonance

29b

harsh, cutting language or tone intended toridicule

30a

sarcasm

30b

high point, or turning point or a story orplay

31a

climax

31b

the immediate revelation to the audience ofthe setting and other backgroundinformation necessary for understanding theplot

32a

exposition

32b

an impersonal presentation of events andcharacters. It is a writer's attempt to removehimself or herself from any subjective,personal involvement in a story. Hard newsjournalism is frequently prized for itsobjectivity, although even fictional storiescan be told without a writer renderingpersonal judgment.

33a

objectivity

33b

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. Thisnarrator 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 mainsubdivisions 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.

34a

point of view

34b

in modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprisesand delights. A witty statement is humorous, while suggesting the speaker's verbal power in creating ingenious andperceptive remarks. Wit usually uses terse language that makesa pointed statement. Historically, wit originally meant basicunderstanding. Its meaning evolved to include speed ofunderstanding, and finally, it grew to mean quick perceptionincluding creative fancy and a quick tongue to articulate ananswer that demanded the same quick perception.

35a

wit

35b

In sentences written in active voice, thesubject performs the action expressed in the

verb; the subject acts

36a

active voice

36b

inflated, pretentious language

37a

bombast

37b

the ironic minimalizing of fact, understatementpresents 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: "Lastweek I saw a woman flayed, and you will hardlybelieve how much it altered her person for theworse."

38a

understatement

38b

Language that describes specific, observablethings, people or places.

39a

Concrete Language

39b

Literature that emphasizes a specificgeographic setting and that reproduces thespeech, behavior, and attitudes of the peoplewho live in that region.

40a

regionalism

40b

A loose sentence is complete before its end.A periodic sentence is not grammaticallycomplete until it has reached its finalphrase. (The term loose does not in any wayimply that the sentences are slack orshoddy.)

41a

loose sentences

41b

a lyric poem or passage that describes a kindof ideal life or place

42a

idyll

42b

Main character in a story.

43a

protagonist

43b

The main idea or meaning of a text. Often,this is an insight about human life revealed

in a literary work

44a

theme

44b

the movement of a literary piece from onepoint or one section to another

45a

pacing

45b

Observing strict adherence to formal rules orliteral meaning. This can also refer to theauthor's tone as overly scholarly andacademic.

46a

Pedantic

46b

opinion put forward and supported byreasoned arguments

47a

thesis

47b

Parentheses are used to set off an idea fromthe rest of the sentence. It is almostconsidered an aside, and should be usedsparingly for effect.

48a

Parenthetical Idea

48b

a personal presentation of events andcharacters, influenced by the author's

feelings and opinions

49a

subjectivity

49b

Placing things side by side for the purposesof comparison to emphasize a point. (Forexample, an author may compare theaverage day of a typical American with thatof someone in the third world to make apoint of social commentary).

50a

Juxtaposition

50b

the presentation of two contrasting ideas.The ideas are balanced by phrase, clause, orparagraphs. "To be or not to be . . ."; "It wasthe best of times; it was the worst of times . .."; "Ask not what your country can do foryou, ask what you can do for your country . .."

51a

antithesis

51b

the process of moving from a general rule tospecific example

52a

deduction

52b

The process of reasoning from premises. Itinvolves bringing together pieces of evidenceand arriving at a conclusion. (Example: "Iwant to buy new shoes. I've had five pairs ofNikes and never had any foot problems.Reeboks gave me blisters, and Adidas mademy ankles hurt. Therefore, I probably shouldbuy Nikes.")

53a

Induction

53b

quality of a piece of writing in which all theparts contribute to the development of thecentral idea, theme, or organizing principle.

54a

coherence; unity

54b

Rather than the dictionary definition, thisrefers to the associations suggested by aword: implied meaning rather than literalmeaning.

55a

Connotation

55b

refers to language that describes conceptsrather than concrete images

56a

Abstract

56b

refers to the total "sound" of the writer'sstyle

57a

voice

57b

A regional variety of a languagedistinguished by vocabulary, spelling, and

pronunciation.

58a

dialect

58b

repeated use of sounds, words, or ideas foreffect and emphasis

59a

repetition

59b

Repetition of a consonant sound within twoor more words in close proximity. Keep inmind that consonance refers to repetitionAFTER the beginning of the word.

60a

Consonance

60b

Repetition of a vowel sound within two ormore words in close proximity

61a

assonance

61b

Repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at thebeginning of two or more sentences in arow. This is a deliberate form of repetitionand helps make the writer's point morecoherent.

62a

Anaphora

62b

Repetition of initial consonant sounds

63a

alliteration

63b

the reversal of the normal order of words

64a

inversion

64b

a riddle whose answer is or involves a pun;it may also be a paradox or difficult problem

65a

conundrum

65b

A seemingly contradictory statement whichis actually true; an idea which embeds acontradiction. (Example: "Youcan't get a job without experience,and you can't get experience withoutgetting a job").

66a

Paradox

66b

A sentence that presents its central meaningin a main clause at the end. Theindependent clause is preceded by a phraseor clause that cannot stand alone. The effectis to add emphasis and structural variety.

67a

periodic sentence

67b

a short narrative designed to teach a morallesson

68a

parable

68b

spoken or written language, includingliterary works; the four traditionallyclassified modes of discourse are description,exposition, narration, persuasion.

69a

discourse

69b

A statement consisting of two parallel partsin which the second part is structurallyreversed. Example: "Ask not what yourcountry can do for you, but what you can dofor your country." - JFK; "You can take theboy out of the country, but you can't take thecountry out of the boy."

70a

chiasmus

70b

a story, poem, or picture that can beinterpreted to reveal a hidden meaning,

typically a moral or political one

71a

allegory

71b

The subject of the sentence receives theaction. This is often overused, making

writing seem lifeless and awkward.

72a

Passive Voice

72b

a succession of harmonious sounds used inpoetry or prose; opposite of cacophony

73a

euphony

73b

A term used to describe writing that teachesa specific lesson or moral.

74a

Didactic

74b

A terse statement of known authorshipwhich expresses a general truth or a moralprinciple. (If the authorship is unknown, thestatement is generally considered to be afolk proverb.) An aphorism can be amemorable summation of the author's point.

75a

Aphorism

75b

A thing that represents or stands forsomething else, especially a material object

representing something abstract.

76a

symbol

76b

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 soundreasoning, discussion, and argument that thoroughly convince the reader. Persuasive writing is a type of argumentationhaving 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 thereader 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 frequentlyuses the tools of descriptive writing.

77a

rhetorical modes

77b

This is the explicit meaning of a word; itrefers to the dictionary definition.

78a

Denotation

78b

a three-part deductive argument in which aconclusion is based on a major premise anda minor premise ("All men are mortal;Socrates is a man; therefore, Socrates ismortal.")

79a

syllogism

79b

A type of figurative language whichattributes human qualities to non-human

subjects.

80a

Personification

80b

a type of literary work, such as a novel orpoem, there are also subgenres, such asscience fiction or sonnet, with the largergenres

81a

genre

81b

using one part of an object to represent theentire object (for example, referring to a carsimply as "wheels")

82a

synedoche

82b

usually in poetry but sometimes in prose;the device of calling out to an imaginary,dead, or absent person, place or thing

83a

apostrophe

83b

vocabulary distinctive to a particular groupof people

84a

jargon

84b

When a writer appeals to an audience'semotions to excite and involve them in the

argument.

85a

Pathos; Emotional Appeal

85b

when a writer bases a claim upon anisolated example or asserts that a claim iscertain rather than probable. Sweepinggeneralizations occur when a writer assertsthat a claim applies to all instances insteadof some.

86a

generalization

86b

When a writer tries to persuade the audiencebased on statistics, facts, and reasons. The

process of reasoning

87a

logo; logical appeal

87b

when a writer tries to persuade the audienceto respect his opinion based on apresentation of his image, reputation,profession, or experience; when a writerappeals to what is fair or honest

88a

ethos; ethical appeal

88b

When the audience of a drama, play, movie,etc. knows something the character doesn'tand would be surprised to find out.

89a

Dramatic irony

89b

When the opposite of what you expect tohappen does.

90a

Irony

90b

When the writer denies the complexity of anidea.

91a

Oversimplification

91b

When two cases are not sufficiently parallelto lead readers to accept a claim of

connection between them.

92a

False Analogy

92b

When you say something and mean theopposite/something different. For example,if your gym teacher wants you to run a milein eight minutes or faster, but calls it a"walk in the park", it would be verbal irony.

93a

Verbal irony

93b

Word choice, particularly as an element ofstyle. Different types and arrangements ofwords have significant effects on meaning.

94a

Diction

94b

a word or phrase (including slang) used ineveryday conversation or informal writingthat is often inappropriate in formal writingor speech (y'all, ain't, fixin, etc.)

95a

colloquialism

95b

a word or phrase that links one idea to thenext and carries the reader from sentence tosentence, paragraph to paragraph.

96a

transition

96b

A word or words that are inaccurate literallybut call to mind sensations or evokereactions: "All the world's a stage...";Metaphors and similes are examples of this.

97a

Figurative Language

97b

A worn-out idea or overused expression

98a

cliche

98b

The writer's or speaker's attitude toward thesubject of a story, toward a character, ortoward the audience (the readers).

99a

tone

99b

writing that attempts to prove the validity ofa point of view or an idea by presenting

reasoned arguments

100a

argumentatation

100b