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AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

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9580596889allegory (n)a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.0
9580596890Alliterationthe occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.1
9580596891Allusionindirect reference2
9580596892Ambiguityuncertainty or inexactness of meaning in language3
9580596893analogy (n)words that draw comparisons and similarities4
9580596894Antecedentis a literary device in which a word or pronoun in a line or sentence refers to an earlier word, for instance, "while giving treats to children or friends offer them whatever they like."5
9580596895Antithesisopposite6
9580596896Aphorism (n)a statement of truth or opinion expressed in a concise and witty manner7
9580596897Apostropheis a term used when a speaker directly addresses someone or something that isn't present in the poem.8
9580596898AtmosphereA mood can serve as a vehicle for establishing atmosphere. In literary works, atmosphere refers to emotions or feelings an author conveys to his readers through description of objects and settings, such as J. K. Rowling in Harry Potter tales, spins a whimsical and enthralling atmosphere.9
9580596899Caricaturean exaggerated portrayal of one's features10
9580596900Clauseis a group of related words containing a subject that tells readers what the sentence is about, and a verb that tells readers what the subject is doing. A clause comes in four types; independent, dependent, relative or noun clause.11
9580596901Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.12
9580596902Conceitsis a kind of metaphor that compares two very unlike things in a surprising and clever way.13
9580596903Connotation (n)refers to a meaning that is implied by a word apart from the thing which it describes explicitly.14
9580596904DenotationThe dictionary definition of a word15
9580596905diction (n)word choice; terminology; enunciation16
9580596906didactic literatureliterature meant to instruct, give advice, or convey a philosophical or moral lesson17
9580596907Euphemism (n)substitution of a "good" expression for an unpleasant one18
9580596908extended metaphorA metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.19
9580596909figurative languagewriting or speech not meant to be interpreted literally20
9580596910figure of speechAn expression that strives for literary effect rather than conveying a literal meaning.21
9580596911generic conventionsTraditions for each genre.22
9580596912Genresmajor categories of media content23
9580596913homily (n.)is a sermon or speech that a religious person or priest delivers before a group of people to offer them moral correction.24
9580596914Hyperboleexaggeration25
9580596915ImageryDescription that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)26
9580596916InferenceA conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning27
9580596917Invective (n)denotes speech or writing that attacks, insults, or denounces a person, topic, or institution28
9580596918Irony/ironicthe contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant29
9580596919LitotesA form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite30
9580596920Loose sentence/non-periodic sentenceA loose sentence, also called a cumulative sentence, begins with a main clause that is followed by phrases and/or clauses that modify the main clause.31
9580596921MetaphorA comparison that establishes a figurative identity between objects being compared.32
9580596922Metonymythe substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant33
9580596923MoodThe prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work . Setting, tone, and events can affect the mood.34
9580596924NarrativeThe telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events35
9580596925onomatopoeiathe formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named (e.g., cuckoo, sizzle ).36
9580596926Oxymorona figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction37
9580596927Paradoxa seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.38
9580596928Parallelismsimilarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses39
9580596929Anaphorathe repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses40
9580596930Parodyis an imitation of a particular writer, artist or a genre, exaggerating it deliberately to produce a comic effect. ..41
9580596931pedanticpompous; self-important; making a show of knowledge42
9580596932periodic sentenceA sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end.43
9580596933Personificationa kind of metaphor that gives inanimate objects or abstract ideas human characteristics44
9580596934point of viewThe perspective from which a story is told45
9580596935Proseis a form of language that has no formal metrical structure. It applies a natural flow of speech, and ordinary grammatical structure rather than rhythmic structure, such as in the case of traditional poetry.46
9580596936Repetitionthe action of repeating something that has already been said or written.47
9580596937Rhetoric (n)the art of using language effectively and persuasively48
9580596938rhetorical modesexposition, description, narration, argumentation49
9580596939Sarcasmthe use of irony to mock or convey contempt.50
9580596940Satireusing humor to expose something or someone to ridicule51
9580596941Semanticsrelating to meaning in language or logic.52
9580596942Styleis the literary element that describes the ways that the author uses words — the author's word choice, sentence structure, figurative language, and sentence arrangement all work together to establish mood, images, and meaning in the text.53
9580596943subject complementA word or word group in the predicate that identifies or describes the subject54
9580596944subordinate clauseCreated by a subordinating conjunction, a clause that modifies an independent clause.55
9580596945Syllogisma form of deductive reasoning with a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion56
9580596946Symbol/ symbolismSymbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense.57
9580596947SynecdocheSynecdoche is a literary device in which a part of something represents the whole or it may use a whole to represent a part.58
9580596948Synesthesiarefers to a technique adopted by writers to present ideas, characters or places in such a manner that they appeal to more than one senses like hearing, seeing, smell etc. at a given time.59
9580596949SyntaxSentence structure60
9580596950ThemeThe central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life.61
9580596951Thesisa statement or theory that is put forward as a premise to be maintained or proved.62
9580596952ToneTone, in written composition, is an attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience.63
9580596953Transitiona word or phrase that links different ideas64
9580596954UnderstatementThe ironic minimizing of fact, presents something as less significant than it is.65
9580596955WitIn modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights. A witty statement is humorous, while suggesting the speakers verbal power in creating ingenious and perceptive remarks.66

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