AP Terms 11-20

Colloquial / Colloquialism -- The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.  Not generally acceptable for formal writing, colloquialisms give a work a conversational, familiar tone.  Colloquial expressions in writing include local or regional dialects.

Conceit -- A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between dissimilar objects.  A conceit displays intellectual cleverness due to the unusual comparison being made.

Connotation -- The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning.  It is the emotional feeling associated with a word, rather than its denotation (dictionary meaning) of a word.  Connotations may involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes.

Denotation -- The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotional attitude or color.

Diction -- Refers to the writer's word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.  Diction is therefore related to a writer's style.  For the AP exam, you should be able to describe an author's diction.  For example, when analyzing an author's diction, you would describe it as formal, informal, ornate, plain, childish, scientific, descriptive, etc.  Diction can complement an author's purpose.  Diction, combined with syntax, figurative language, literary devices, etc., creates as author's style.

Didactic -- From the Greek, didactic literally means "teaching."  Didactic works have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles.

Euphemism -- From the Greek for "good speech," euphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.  The euphemism may be used to adhere to standards of social or political correctness or to add humor or ironic understatement.  Saying "earthly remains" rather than"corpse" is an example of euphemism.

Extended Metaphor -- A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a literary work.

Figurative Language -- Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.

Figure of Speech -- A literary device used to produce figurative language.  Many compare dissimilar things.  Figures of speech include:  apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, metonymy, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche, and understatement.