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AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

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9713408186AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically.0
9713408187AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
9713408188AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
9713408189AphorismEarly to bed and early to rise help make a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. -Ben Franklin3
9713408190Apostrophe"Oh, Captain, my Captain, our fearful trip is done..."4
9713408191Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
9713408192ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor.6
9713408193Euphemismcorrectional facility = jail between jobs = unemployed7
9713408194HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
9713408195InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
9713408196Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
9713408197AnaphoraThe exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
9713408198PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
9713408199Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
9713408200SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words.14
9713408201SyllogismA deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.15
9713408202SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole.16
9713408203SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
9713408204ApologiaA written or spoken defense of one's beliefs and actions.18
9713408205EpigramA brief witty statement.19
9713408206DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
9713408207EllipsisThe omission of a word or several words.21
9713408208Ad HominemAttacking a speaker's character instead of to their argument.22
9713408209AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
9713408210DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
9713408211FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
9713408212HubrisExcessive pride that often brings about one's fall.26
9713408213AlliterationRepetition of consonant sounds, usually at the beginnings of words27
9713408214LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
9713408215ParadoxA statement or idea that seems contradictory but is in fact true.29
9713408216Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
9713408217AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
9713408218JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group.32
9713408219TaciturnNot talking much, reserved; silent, holding back in conversation.33
9713408220DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
9713408221PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
9713408222BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
9713408223VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
9713408224ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
9713408225TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
9713408226InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
9713408227LackadaisicalDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
9713408228ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
9713408229ChiasmusA 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
9713408230Loose SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come at the front of the sentence.44
9713408231PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
9713408232Periodic SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come toward the end of the sentence.46
9713408233ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
9713408234CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
9713408235SarcasmCaustic, bitter language--iterally means "to tear the flesh."49
9713408236Independent ClauseA complete sentence.50
9713408237Dependent ClauseIncludes a subordinate conjunction, such as because, while, etc.51
9713408238AllusionA reference to something (e.g., a book, a movie, an historical event) that is presumed to be well known to the audience.52
9713408239SatireA work that pokes fun human vices and follies in order to call attention to a larger problem.53
9713408240ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.54
9713408241Coup de GraceThe "death blow"--the culminating event in a bad situation.55
9713408242Coup d'EtatLiterally "blow to the state"--a violent overthrow.56
9713408243Faux PasA social misstep or inappropriate action.57
9713408244Laissez-FaireLiterally "allow to do"--letting things run their natural course; hands off.58
9713408245En MasseIn a body as a whole; as a group.59
9713408246ProprietaryCharacteristic of an owner of property; constituting property.60
9713408247ProprietyThe quality of behaving in a proper manner; obeying rules and customs.61
9713408248ImminentAbout to happen.62
9713408249EminentFamous, outstanding, distinguished.63
9713408250EgoAccording to Freud, the decision-making component of personality that operates according to the reality principle.64
9713408251SuperegoAccording to Freud, that facet of the psyche that represents the internalized ideals and values of one's parents and society65
9713408252IdLiterally the "It"--our base impulses, driven by selfishness and greed, for example.66
9713408253HamartiaA character's error in judgment that contributes to one's downfall.67
9713408254OrwellianThe manipulation of language and ideas to control and obstruct the truth.68
9713408255AutonomosIndependent, self-governing, not under the control of something or someone else.69

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