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AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

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9888336900AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent and abstraction in addition to literal meaning.0
9888336901AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
9888336902AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
9888336903AphorismTerse statement of unknown authorship which expresses a general truth or moral3
9888336904ApostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love.4
9888336905Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
9888336906ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.6
9888336907EuphemismEuphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.7
9888336908HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
9888336909InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
9888336910Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
9888336911AnaphoraA sub-type of parallelism, when the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
9888336912PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
9888336913Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
9888336914SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another.14
9888336915SyllogismFrom 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
9888336916SynecdocheA 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
9888336917SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
9888336918AnnotationExplanatory or critical notes added to a text.18
9888336919EpigramA brief witty statement.19
9888336920DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
9888336921Ellipsisthe omission of a word or several words necessary for a complete construction that is still understandable.21
9888336922Ad HominemDirected to or appealing to feelings or prejudices instead of to intellect or reason.22
9888336923AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
9888336924DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
9888336925FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
9888336926HubrisExcessive pride that often affects tone.26
9888336927Inductive ReasoningA method of reasoning in which a number of specific facts or examples are used to make a generalization.27
9888336928LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
9888336929MotifA phrase, idea, or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in an essay or other discourse.29
9888336930Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
9888336931AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
9888336932JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.32
9888336933DiatribeA forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.33
9888336934DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
9888336935PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
9888336936BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
9888336937VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
9888336938ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
9888336939TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
9888336940InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
9888336941LanguidDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
9888336942ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
9888336943DyspepticOf or having indigestion or consequent irritability or depression.43
9888336944DoggerelComic verse composed in irregular rhythm.44
9888336945PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
9888336946InfidelA person who does not believe in religion or who adheres to a religion other than one's own.46
9888336947ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
9888336948CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
9888336949VexMake (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters.49

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