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AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

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9816440392AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent and abstraction in addition to literal meaning.0
9816440393AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
9816440394AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
9816440395AphorismTerse statement of unknown authorship which expresses a general truth or moral3
9816440396ApostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love.4
9816440397Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
9816440398ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.6
9816440399EuphemismEuphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.7
9816440400HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
9816440401InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
9816440402Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
9816440403AnaphoraA sub-type of parallelism, when the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
9816440404PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
9816440405Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
9816440406SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another.14
9816440407SyllogismFrom 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
9816440408SynecdocheA 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
9816440409SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
9816440410AnnotationExplanatory or critical notes added to a text.18
9816440411EpigramA brief witty statement.19
9816440412DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
9816440413Ellipsisthe omission of a word or several words necessary for a complete construction that is still understandable.21
9816440414Ad HominemDirected to or appealing to feelings or prejudices instead of to intellect or reason.22
9816440415AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
9816440416DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
9816440417FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
9816440418HubrisExcessive pride that often affects tone.26
9816440419Inductive ReasoningA method of reasoning in which a number of specific facts or examples are used to make a generalization.27
9816440420LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
9816440421MotifA phrase, idea, or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in an essay or other discourse.29
9816440422Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
9816440423AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
9816440424JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.32
9816440425DiatribeA forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.33
9816440426DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
9816440427PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
9816440428BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
9816440429VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
9816440430ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
9816440431TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
9816440432InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
9816440433LanguidDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
9816440434ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
9816440435DyspepticOf or having indigestion or consequent irritability or depression.43
9816440436DoggerelComic verse composed in irregular rhythm.44
9816440437PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
9816440438InfidelA person who does not believe in religion or who adheres to a religion other than one's own.46
9816440439ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
9816440440CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
9816440441VexMake (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters.49

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