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AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

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9634241057AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically.0
9634241058AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
9634241059AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
9634241060AphorismEarly to bed and early to rise help make a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. -Ben Franklin3
9634241061Apostrophe"Oh, Captain, my Captain, our fearful trip is done..."4
9634241062Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
9634241063ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor.6
9634241064Euphemismcorrectional facility = jail between jobs = unemployed7
9634241065HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
9634241066InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
9634241067Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
9634241068AnaphoraThe exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
9634241069PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
9634241070Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
9634241071SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words.14
9634241072SyllogismA deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.15
9634241073SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole.16
9634241074SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
9634241075ApologiaA written or spoken defense of one's beliefs and actions.18
9634241076EpigramA brief witty statement.19
9634241077DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
9634241078EllipsisThe omission of a word or several words.21
9634241079Ad HominemAttacking a speaker's character instead of to their argument.22
9634241080AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
9634241081DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
9634241082FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
9634241083HubrisExcessive pride that often brings about one's fall.26
9634241084AlliterationRepetition of consonant sounds, usually at the beginnings of words27
9634241085LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
9634241086ParadoxA statement or idea that seems contradictory but is in fact true.29
9634241087Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
9634241088AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
9634241089JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group.32
9634241090TaciturnNot talking much, reserved; silent, holding back in conversation.33
9634241091DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
9634241092PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
9634241093BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
9634241094VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
9634241095ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
9634241096TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
9634241097InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
9634241098LackadaisicalDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
9634241099ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
9634241100ChiasmusA 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
9634241101Loose SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come at the front of the sentence.44
9634241102PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
9634241103Periodic SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come toward the end of the sentence.46
9634241104ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
9634241105CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
9634241106SarcasmCaustic, bitter language--iterally means "to tear the flesh."49
9634241107Independent ClauseA complete sentence.50
9634241108Dependent ClauseIncludes a subordinate conjunction, such as because, while, etc.51
9634241109AllusionA reference to something (e.g., a book, a movie, an historical event) that is presumed to be well known to the audience.52
9634241110SatireA work that pokes fun human vices and follies in order to call attention to a larger problem.53
9634241111ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.54
9634241112Coup de GraceThe "death blow"--the culminating event in a bad situation.55
9634241113Coup d'EtatLiterally "blow to the state"--a violent overthrow.56
9634241114Faux PasA social misstep or inappropriate action.57
9634241115Laissez-FaireLiterally "allow to do"--letting things run their natural course; hands off.58
9634241116En MasseIn a body as a whole; as a group.59
9634241117ProprietaryCharacteristic of an owner of property; constituting property.60
9634241118ProprietyThe quality of behaving in a proper manner; obeying rules and customs.61
9634241119ImminentAbout to happen.62
9634241120EminentFamous, outstanding, distinguished.63
9634241121EgoAccording to Freud, the decision-making component of personality that operates according to the reality principle.64
9634241122SuperegoAccording to Freud, that facet of the psyche that represents the internalized ideals and values of one's parents and society65
9634241123IdLiterally the "It"--our base impulses, driven by selfishness and greed, for example.66
9634241124HamartiaA character's error in judgment that contributes to one's downfall.67
9634241125OrwellianThe manipulation of language and ideas to control and obstruct the truth.68
9634241126AutonomosIndependent, self-governing, not under the control of something or someone else.69

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