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AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

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6800576982AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically.0
6800576983AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
6800576984AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
6800576985Aphorisma pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it.".3
6800576986Apostrophean exclamatory passage in a speech or poem addressed to a person (typically one who is dead or absent) or thing (typically one that is personified).4
6800576987Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
6800576988ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor.6
6800576989Euphemismcorrectional facility = jail between jobs = unemployed Mild word replacing a harsh one7
6800576990HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
6800576991InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
6800576992Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
6800576993AnaphoraThe exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
6800576994PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
6800576995Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
6800576996SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words.14
6800576997SyllogismA deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.15
6800576998SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole.16
6800576999SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
6800577000ApologiaA written or spoken defense of one's beliefs and actions.18
6800577001EpigramA brief witty statement.19
6800577002DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
6800577003EllipsisThe omission of a word or several words.21
6800577004Ad HominemAttacking a speaker's character instead of to their argument.22
6800577005AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
6800577006DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
6800577007FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
6800577008HubrisExcessive pride that often brings about one's fall.26
6800577009AlliterationRepetition of consonant sounds, usually at the beginnings of words27
6800577010LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
6800577011ParadoxA statement or idea that seems contradictory but is in fact true.29
6800577012Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
6800577013AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
6800577014JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group.32
6800577015TaciturnNot talking much, reserved; silent, holding back in conversation.33
6800577016DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
6800577017PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
6800577018BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
6800577019VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
6800577020ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
6800577021TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
6800577022InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
6800577023LackadaisicalDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
6800577024ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
6800577025ChiasmusA 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
6800577026Loose SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come at the front of the sentence.44
6800577027PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
6800577028Periodic SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come toward the end of the sentence.46
6800577029ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
6800577030CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
6800577031SarcasmCaustic, bitter language--iterally means "to tear the flesh."49
6800577032Independent ClauseA complete sentence.50
6800577033Dependent ClauseIncludes a subordinate conjunction, such as because, while, etc.51
6800577034AllusionA reference to something (e.g., a book, a movie, an historical event) that is presumed to be well known to the audience.52
6800577035SatireA work that pokes fun human vices and follies in order to call attention to a larger problem.53
6800577036ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.54
6800577037Coup de GraceThe "death blow"--the culminating event in a bad situation.55
6800577038Coup d'EtatLiterally "blow to the state"--a violent overthrow.56
6800577039Faux PasA social misstep or inappropriate action.57
6800577040Laissez-FaireLiterally "allow to do"--letting things run their natural course; hands off.58
6800577041En MasseIn a body as a whole; as a group.59
6800577042ProprietaryCharacteristic of an owner of property; constituting property.60
6800577043ProprietyThe quality of behaving in a proper manner; obeying rules and customs.61
6800577044ImminentAbout to happen.62
6800577045EminentFamous, outstanding, distinguished.63
6800577046EgoAccording to Freud, the decision-making component of personality that operates according to the reality principle.64
6800577047SuperegoAccording to Freud, that facet of the psyche that represents the internalized ideals and values of one's parents and society65
6800577048IdLiterally the "It"--our base impulses, driven by selfishness and greed, for example.66
6800577049HamartiaA character's error in judgment that contributes to one's downfall.67
6800577050OrwellianThe manipulation of language and ideas to control and obstruct the truth.68
6800577051AutonomosIndependent, self-governing, not under the control of something or someone else.69

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