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AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

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9778311507AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically.0
9778311508AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
9778311509AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
9778311510AphorismEarly to bed and early to rise help make a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. -Ben Franklin3
9778311511Apostrophe"Oh, Captain, my Captain, our fearful trip is done..."4
9778311512Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
9778311513ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor.6
9778311514Euphemismcorrectional facility = jail between jobs = unemployed7
9778311515HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
9778311516InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
9778311517Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
9778311518AnaphoraThe exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
9778311519PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
9778311520Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
9778311521SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words.14
9778311522SyllogismA deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.15
9778311523SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole.16
9778311524SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
9778311525ApologiaA written or spoken defense of one's beliefs and actions.18
9778311526EpigramA brief witty statement.19
9778311527DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
9778311528EllipsisThe omission of a word or several words.21
9778311529Ad HominemAttacking a speaker's character instead of to their argument.22
9778311530AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
9778311531DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
9778311532FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
9778311533HubrisExcessive pride that often brings about one's fall.26
9778311534AlliterationRepetition of consonant sounds, usually at the beginnings of words27
9778311535LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
9778311536ParadoxA statement or idea that seems contradictory but is in fact true.29
9778311537Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
9778311538AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
9778311539JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group.32
9778311540TaciturnNot talking much, reserved; silent, holding back in conversation.33
9778311541DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
9778311542PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
9778311543BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
9778311544VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
9778311545ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
9778311546TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
9778311547InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
9778311548LackadaisicalDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
9778311549ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
9778311550ChiasmusA 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
9778311551Loose SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come at the front of the sentence.44
9778311552PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
9778311553Periodic SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come toward the end of the sentence.46
9778311554ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
9778311555CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
9778311556SarcasmCaustic, bitter language--iterally means "to tear the flesh."49
9778311557Independent ClauseA complete sentence.50
9778311558Dependent ClauseIncludes a subordinate conjunction, such as because, while, etc.51
9778311559AllusionA reference to something (e.g., a book, a movie, an historical event) that is presumed to be well known to the audience.52
9778311560SatireA work that pokes fun human vices and follies in order to call attention to a larger problem.53
9778311561ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.54
9778311562Coup de GraceThe "death blow"--the culminating event in a bad situation.55
9778311563Coup d'EtatLiterally "blow to the state"--a violent overthrow.56
9778311564Faux PasA social misstep or inappropriate action.57
9778311565Laissez-FaireLiterally "allow to do"--letting things run their natural course; hands off.58
9778311566En MasseIn a body as a whole; as a group.59
9778311567ProprietaryCharacteristic of an owner of property; constituting property.60
9778311568ProprietyThe quality of behaving in a proper manner; obeying rules and customs.61
9778311569ImminentAbout to happen.62
9778311570EminentFamous, outstanding, distinguished.63
9778311571EgoAccording to Freud, the decision-making component of personality that operates according to the reality principle.64
9778311572SuperegoAccording to Freud, that facet of the psyche that represents the internalized ideals and values of one's parents and society65
9778311573IdLiterally the "It"--our base impulses, driven by selfishness and greed, for example.66
9778311574HamartiaA character's error in judgment that contributes to one's downfall.67
9778311575OrwellianThe manipulation of language and ideas to control and obstruct the truth.68
9778311576AutonomosIndependent, self-governing, not under the control of something or someone else.69

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