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AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

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5945934101AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent and abstraction in addition to literal meaning.0
5945934102AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
5945934103AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
5945934104AphorismTerse statement of unknown authorship which expresses a general truth or moral3
5945934105ApostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love.4
5945934106Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
5945934107ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.6
5945934108EuphemismEuphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.7
5945934109HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
5945934110InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
5945934111Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
5945934112AnaphoraA sub-type of parallelism, when the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
5945934113PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
5945934114Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
5945934115SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another.14
5945934116SyllogismFrom 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
5945934117SynecdocheA 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
5945934118SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
5945934119AnnotationExplanatory or critical notes added to a text.18
5945934120EpigramA brief witty statement.19
5945934121DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
5945934122Ellipsisthe omission of a word or several words necessary for a complete construction that is still understandable.21
5945934123Ad HominemDirected to or appealing to feelings or prejudices instead of to intellect or reason.22
5945934124AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
5945934125DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
5945934126FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
5945934127HubrisExcessive pride that often affects tone.26
5945934128Inductive ReasoningA method of reasoning in which a number of specific facts or examples are used to make a generalization.27
5945934129LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
5945934130MotifA phrase, idea, or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in an essay or other discourse.29
5945934131Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
5945934132AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
5945934133JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.32
5945934134DiatribeA forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.33
5945934135DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
5945934136PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
5945934137BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
5945934138VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
5945934139ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
5945934140TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
5945934141InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
5945934142LanguidDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
5945934143ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
5945934144DyspepticOf or having indigestion or consequent irritability or depression.43
5945934145DoggerelComic verse composed in irregular rhythm.44
5945934146PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
5945934147InfidelA person who does not believe in religion or who adheres to a religion other than one's own.46
5945934148ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
5945934149CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
5945934150VexMake (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters.49

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