AP Language & Composition – Essential Vocabulary

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Diction

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Word choice that conveys tone, attitude, or purpose.

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Syntax

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Sentence structure; the arrangement of words to create meaning.

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Imagery

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Descriptive language appealing to the five senses.

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Allusion

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A reference to history, literature, religion, or culture.

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Juxtaposition

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Placing two ideas side by side for contrast.

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Parallelism

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Repetition of grammatical structures for emphasis.

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Antithesis

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Juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases.

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Anaphora

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Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.

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Epistrophe

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Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses.

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Polysyndeton

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Repeated use of conjunctions for emphasis.