AP English Language and Composition - 100 Key Terms

Abstraction A generality; a concept or idea or thought separated from concrete reality without a specific example Abstract Noun Names of an idea, thing, quality, action, or feeling meaning many things to many people such as peace honor etc. 00:02 01:17 Allegory A literary work in which characters, objects, or actions represent abstractions or a secondary or symbolic meaning underlying the literal meaning. Alliteration Repetition, at close intervals of beginning consonant sounds Allusion A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known in popular culture, 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. Allusion, classical A reference to classical mythology, literature or culture. Analogy A comparison of two different things that are similar in some way in order to prove a point or clarify an idea. Analogical Comparison Another way to say the author has used an analogy