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AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

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8869410245AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically.0
8869410246AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
8869410247AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
8869410248AphorismEarly to bed and early to rise help make a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. -Ben Franklin3
8869410249Apostrophe"Oh, Captain, my Captain, our fearful trip is done..."4
8869410250Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
8869410251ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor.6
8869410252Euphemismcorrectional facility = jail between jobs = unemployed7
8869410253HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
8869410254InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
8869410255Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
8869410256AnaphoraThe exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
8869410257PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
8869410258Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
8869410259SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words.14
8869410260SyllogismA deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.15
8869410261SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole.16
8869410262SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
8869410263ApologiaA written or spoken defense of one's beliefs and actions.18
8869410264EpigramA brief witty statement.19
8869410265DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
8869410266EllipsisThe omission of a word or several words.21
8869410267Ad HominemAttacking a speaker's character instead of to their argument.22
8869410268AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
8869410269DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
8869410270FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
8869410271HubrisExcessive pride that often brings about one's fall.26
8869410272AlliterationRepetition of consonant sounds, usually at the beginnings of words27
8869410273LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
8869410274ParadoxA statement or idea that seems contradictory but is in fact true.29
8869410275Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
8869410276AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
8869410277JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group.32
8869410278TaciturnNot talking much, reserved; silent, holding back in conversation.33
8869410279DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
8869410280PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
8869410281BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
8869410282VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
8869410283ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
8869410284TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
8869410285InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
8869410286LackadaisicalDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
8869410287ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
8869410288ChiasmusA 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
8869410289Loose SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come at the front of the sentence.44
8869410290PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
8869410291Periodic SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come toward the end of the sentence.46
8869410292ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
8869410293CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
8869410294SarcasmCaustic, bitter language--iterally means "to tear the flesh."49
8869410295Independent ClauseA complete sentence.50
8869410296Dependent ClauseIncludes a subordinate conjunction, such as because, while, etc.51
8869410297AllusionA reference to something (e.g., a book, a movie, an historical event) that is presumed to be well known to the audience.52
8869410298SatireA work that pokes fun human vices and follies in order to call attention to a larger problem.53
8869410299ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.54
8869410300Coup de GraceThe "death blow"--the culminating event in a bad situation.55
8869410301Coup d'EtatLiterally "blow to the state"--a violent overthrow.56
8869410302Faux PasA social misstep or inappropriate action.57
8869410303Laissez-FaireLiterally "allow to do"--letting things run their natural course; hands off.58
8869410304En MasseIn a body as a whole; as a group.59
8869410305ProprietaryCharacteristic of an owner of property; constituting property.60
8869410306ProprietyThe quality of behaving in a proper manner; obeying rules and customs.61
8869410307ImminentAbout to happen.62
8869410308EminentFamous, outstanding, distinguished.63
8869410309EgoAccording to Freud, the decision-making component of personality that operates according to the reality principle.64
8869410310SuperegoAccording to Freud, that facet of the psyche that represents the internalized ideals and values of one's parents and society65
8869410311IdLiterally the "It"--our base impulses, driven by selfishness and greed, for example.66
8869410312HamartiaA character's error in judgment that contributes to one's downfall.67
8869410313OrwellianThe manipulation of language and ideas to control and obstruct the truth.68
8869410314AutonomosIndependent, self-governing, not under the control of something or someone else.69

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