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AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

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14005701863AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent and abstraction in addition to literal meaning.0
14005701864AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
14005701865AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
14005701866AphorismTerse statement of unknown authorship which expresses a general truth or moral3
14005701867ApostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love.4
14005701868Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
14005701869ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.6
14005701870EuphemismEuphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.7
14005701871HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
14005701872InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
14005701873Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
14005701874AnaphoraA sub-type of parallelism, when the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
14005701875PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
14005701876Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
14005701877SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another.14
14005701878SyllogismFrom the Greek for "reckoning together," a syllogism is a deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.15
14005701879SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole or, occasionally, the whole is used to represent a part.16
14005701880SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
14005701881AnnotationExplanatory or critical notes added to a text.18
14005701882EpigramA brief witty statement.19
14005701883DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
14005701884Ellipsisthe omission of a word or several words necessary for a complete construction that is still understandable.21
14005701885Ad HominemDirected to or appealing to feelings or prejudices instead of to intellect or reason.22
14005701886AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
14005701887DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
14005701888FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
14005701889HubrisExcessive pride that often affects tone.26
14005701890Inductive ReasoningA method of reasoning in which a number of specific facts or examples are used to make a generalization.27
14005701891LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
14005701892MotifA phrase, idea, or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in an essay or other discourse.29
14005701893Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
14005701894AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
14005701895JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.32
14005701896DiatribeA forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.33
14005701897DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
14005701898PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
14005701899BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
14005701900VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
14005701901ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
14005701902TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
14005701903InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
14005701904LanguidDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
14005701905ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
14005701906DyspepticOf or having indigestion or consequent irritability or depression.43
14005701907DoggerelComic verse composed in irregular rhythm.44
14005701908PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
14005701909InfidelA person who does not believe in religion or who adheres to a religion other than one's own.46
14005701910ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
14005701911CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
14005701912VexMake (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters.49

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