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AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

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6156349009AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent and abstraction in addition to literal meaning.0
6156349010AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
6156349011AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
6156349012AphorismTerse statement of unknown authorship which expresses a general truth or moral3
6156349013ApostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love.4
6156349014Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
6156349015ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.6
6156349016EuphemismEuphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.7
6156349017HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
6156349018InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
6156349019Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
6156349020AnaphoraA sub-type of parallelism, when the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
6156349021PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
6156349022Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
6156349023SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another.14
6156349024SyllogismFrom 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
6156349025SynecdocheA 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
6156349026SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
6156349027AnnotationExplanatory or critical notes added to a text.18
6156349028EpigramA brief witty statement.19
6156349029DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
6156349030Ellipsisthe omission of a word or several words necessary for a complete construction that is still understandable.21
6156349031Ad HominemDirected to or appealing to feelings or prejudices instead of to intellect or reason.22
6156349032AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
6156349033DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
6156349034FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
6156349035HubrisExcessive pride that often affects tone.26
6156349036Inductive ReasoningA method of reasoning in which a number of specific facts or examples are used to make a generalization.27
6156349037LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
6156349038MotifA phrase, idea, or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in an essay or other discourse.29
6156349039Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
6156349040AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
6156349041JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.32
6156349042DiatribeA forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.33
6156349043DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
6156349044PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
6156349045BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
6156349046VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
6156349047ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
6156349048TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
6156349049InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
6156349050LanguidDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
6156349051ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
6156349052DyspepticOf or having indigestion or consequent irritability or depression.43
6156349053DoggerelComic verse composed in irregular rhythm.44
6156349054PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
6156349055InfidelA person who does not believe in religion or who adheres to a religion other than one's own.46
6156349056ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
6156349057CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
6156349058VexMake (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters.49

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