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AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

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9813691088AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically.0
9813691089AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
9813691090AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
9813691091AphorismEarly to bed and early to rise help make a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. -Ben Franklin3
9813691092Apostrophe"Oh, Captain, my Captain, our fearful trip is done..."4
9813691093Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
9813691094ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor.6
9813691095Euphemismcorrectional facility = jail between jobs = unemployed7
9813691096HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
9813691097InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
9813691098Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
9813691099AnaphoraThe exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
9813691100PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
9813691101Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
9813691102SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words.14
9813691103SyllogismA deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.15
9813691104SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole.16
9813691105SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
9813691106ApologiaA written or spoken defense of one's beliefs and actions.18
9813691107EpigramA brief witty statement.19
9813691108DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
9813691109EllipsisThe omission of a word or several words.21
9813691110Ad HominemAttacking a speaker's character instead of to their argument.22
9813691111AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
9813691112DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
9813691113FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
9813691114HubrisExcessive pride that often brings about one's fall.26
9813691115AlliterationRepetition of consonant sounds, usually at the beginnings of words27
9813691116LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
9813691117ParadoxA statement or idea that seems contradictory but is in fact true.29
9813691118Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
9813691119AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
9813691120JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group.32
9813691121TaciturnNot talking much, reserved; silent, holding back in conversation.33
9813691122DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
9813691123PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
9813691124BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
9813691125VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
9813691126ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
9813691127TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
9813691128InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
9813691129LackadaisicalDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
9813691130ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
9813691131ChiasmusA 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
9813691132Loose SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come at the front of the sentence.44
9813691133PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
9813691134Periodic SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come toward the end of the sentence.46
9813691135ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
9813691136CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
9813691137SarcasmCaustic, bitter language--iterally means "to tear the flesh."49
9813691138Independent ClauseA complete sentence.50
9813691139Dependent ClauseIncludes a subordinate conjunction, such as because, while, etc.51
9813691140AllusionA reference to something (e.g., a book, a movie, an historical event) that is presumed to be well known to the audience.52
9813691141SatireA work that pokes fun human vices and follies in order to call attention to a larger problem.53
9813691142ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.54
9813691143Coup de GraceThe "death blow"--the culminating event in a bad situation.55
9813691144Coup d'EtatLiterally "blow to the state"--a violent overthrow.56
9813691145Faux PasA social misstep or inappropriate action.57
9813691146Laissez-FaireLiterally "allow to do"--letting things run their natural course; hands off.58
9813691147En MasseIn a body as a whole; as a group.59
9813691148ProprietaryCharacteristic of an owner of property; constituting property.60
9813691149ProprietyThe quality of behaving in a proper manner; obeying rules and customs.61
9813691150ImminentAbout to happen.62
9813691151EminentFamous, outstanding, distinguished.63
9813691152EgoAccording to Freud, the decision-making component of personality that operates according to the reality principle.64
9813691153SuperegoAccording to Freud, that facet of the psyche that represents the internalized ideals and values of one's parents and society65
9813691154IdLiterally the "It"--our base impulses, driven by selfishness and greed, for example.66
9813691155HamartiaA character's error in judgment that contributes to one's downfall.67
9813691156OrwellianThe manipulation of language and ideas to control and obstruct the truth.68
9813691157AutonomosIndependent, self-governing, not under the control of something or someone else.69

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