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AP English Language and Composition Flash Cards Flashcards

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8485588364AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically.0
8485588365AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
8485588366AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
8485588367AphorismEarly to bed and early to rise help make a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. -Ben Franklin3
8485588368Apostrophe"Oh, Captain, my Captain, our fearful trip is done..."4
8485588369Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
8485588370ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor.6
8485588371Euphemismcorrectional facility = jail between jobs = unemployed7
8485588372HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
8485588373InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
8485588374Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
8485588375AnaphoraThe exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
8485588376PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
8485588377Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
8485588378SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words.14
8485588379SyllogismA deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.15
8485588380SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole.16
8485588381SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
8485588382ApologiaA written or spoken defense of one's beliefs and actions.18
8485588383EpigramA brief witty statement.19
8485588384DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
8485588385EllipsisThe omission of a word or several words.21
8485588386Ad HominemAttacking a speaker's character instead of to their argument.22
8485588387AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
8485588388DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
8485588389FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
8485588390HubrisExcessive pride that often brings about one's fall.26
8485588391AlliterationRepetition of consonant sounds, usually at the beginnings of words27
8485588392LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
8485588393ParadoxA statement or idea that seems contradictory but is in fact true.29
8485588394Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
8485588395AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
8485588396JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group.32
8485588397TaciturnNot talking much, reserved; silent, holding back in conversation.33
8485588398DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
8485588399PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
8485588400BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
8485588401VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
8485588402ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
8485588403TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
8485588404InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
8485588405LackadaisicalDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
8485588406ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
8485588407ChiasmusA type of parallelism in which elements are reversed. "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."43
8485588408Loose SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come at the front of the sentence.44
8485588409PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
8485588410Periodic SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come toward the end of the sentence.46
8485588411ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
8485588412CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
8485588413SarcasmCaustic, bitter language--iterally means "to tear the flesh."49
8485588414Independent ClauseA complete sentence.50
8485588415Dependent ClauseIncludes a subordinate conjunction, such as because, while, etc.51
8485588416AllusionA reference to something (e.g., a book, a movie, an historical event) that is presumed to be well known to the audience.52
8485588417SatireA work that pokes fun human vices and follies in order to call attention to a larger problem.53
8485588418ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.54
8485588419Coup de GraceThe "death blow"--the culminating event in a bad situation.55
8485588420Coup d'EtatLiterally "blow to the state"--a violent overthrow.56
8485588421Faux PasA social misstep or inappropriate action.57
8485588422Laissez-FaireLiterally "allow to do"--letting things run their natural course; hands off.58
8485588423En MasseIn a body as a whole; as a group.59
8485588424ProprietaryCharacteristic of an owner of property; constituting property.60
8485588425ProprietyThe quality of behaving in a proper manner; obeying rules and customs.61
8485588426ImminentAbout to happen.62
8485588427EminentFamous, outstanding, distinguished.63
8485588428EgoAccording to Freud, the decision-making component of personality that operates according to the reality principle.64
8485588429SuperegoAccording to Freud, that facet of the psyche that represents the internalized ideals and values of one's parents and society65
8485588430IdLiterally the "It"--our base impulses, driven by selfishness and greed, for example.66
8485588431HamartiaA character's error in judgment that contributes to one's downfall.67
8485588432OrwellianThe manipulation of language and ideas to control and obstruct the truth.68
8485588433AutonomosIndependent, self-governing, not under the control of something or someone else.69

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