Glossary
APA (American Psychological Association)
A citation style primarily used in the social sciences, such as psychology and sociology.
Example:
While AP Lit focuses on MLA, a research paper for a psychology class would typically require APA style for its citations.
Academic Integrity
The commitment to honesty and ethical conduct in all academic work, including proper citation and avoiding plagiarism.
Example:
Submitting an essay with all sources properly cited demonstrates strong academic integrity.
Analysis
The process of breaking down a literary work into its component parts to understand its meaning, structure, and effects.
Example:
In her essay, Sarah provided a compelling analysis of the symbolism in 'The Raven,' connecting the bird to themes of grief and despair.
Attribution
The act of acknowledging the original source of information, ideas, or words used in one's own work.
Example:
Proper attribution is essential when quoting a critic's interpretation of a poem to give them credit for their insights.
Credibility
The quality of being believable or trustworthy, which is enhanced in academic writing by accurate and thorough citation.
Example:
By citing multiple reputable literary scholars, the student's argument gained significant credibility.
Free Response Question (FRQ)
An essay question on the AP English Literature and Composition exam that requires students to write a detailed analytical response to a given prompt.
Example:
For the second FRQ on the AP exam, students often have to analyze a poem's literary devices and their contribution to its meaning.
Imagery
Descriptive or figurative language used to create vivid mental pictures and sensory experiences for the reader.
Example:
The poet's use of vibrant imagery, like 'golden daffodils' and 'sparkling waves,' evoked a strong sense of joy and natural beauty.
In-Text Citation
A brief reference within the body of an essay that directs the reader to the full source information in the Works Cited or References list.
Example:
After quoting a line from the poem, remember to include an in-text citation like (Dickinson, line 7) to show its origin.
Incomplete Information
A common citation error where essential details, such as the author's name, title, or publication date, are missing from a citation entry.
Example:
Forgetting the publisher's name in a Works Cited entry is an example of providing incomplete information, which can reduce your score.
Inconsistent Style
A common citation error where a writer mixes different citation formats (e.g., MLA and APA) within the same document.
Example:
Switching between MLA and APA formatting for your in-text citations throughout an essay demonstrates inconsistent style.
Line Number
A numerical indicator for a specific line in a poem, often used in place of a page number for in-text citations of poetry.
Example:
When citing a direct quote from 'Ozymandias,' you might use the line number (Shelley, line 10) instead of a page number.
MLA (Modern Language Association)
The primary citation style used in the humanities, including literature and language studies, and the standard for AP English Literature.
Example:
For your AP Lit essays, always ensure your citations and Works Cited page adhere strictly to MLA guidelines.
Misattribution
The error of incorrectly crediting a quote, idea, or piece of information to the wrong source or author.
Example:
Accidentally attributing a quote from Shakespeare to Marlowe would be a significant misattribution.
Missing Page Numbers
A common citation error where the page number is omitted for a direct quote or specific idea that comes from a paginated source.
Example:
If you quote a specific sentence from a literary criticism article, failing to include the page number results in missing page numbers.
Plagiarism
The act of using someone else's words, ideas, or work without proper acknowledgment, presenting it as one's own.
Example:
Copying a paragraph from a website without citing it, even if you change a few words, is considered plagiarism.
References
The alphabetical list of all sources cited in an APA-style paper, appearing at the end of the document.
Example:
At the end of a research paper written in APA style, you would find a References page detailing all the sources used.
Secondary Sources
Works that analyze, interpret, or comment on primary sources, such as literary criticism or scholarly articles about a poem.
Example:
A critical essay discussing the themes in 'Frankenstein' would be considered a secondary source.
Thesis
A clear, concise, and defensible argument or main idea that an essay will prove or explore.
Example:
A strong thesis for an essay on 'Hamlet' might argue that Hamlet's indecision is a reflection of his philosophical struggle with existentialism.
Works Cited
The alphabetical list of all sources cited in an MLA-style paper, appearing at the end of the document.
Example:
Before submitting your essay, always double-check that every source mentioned in your in-text citations is fully listed on your Works Cited page.