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AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

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9966253903AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically.0
9966253904AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
9966253905AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
9966253906AphorismEarly to bed and early to rise help make a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. -Ben Franklin3
9966253907Apostrophe"Oh, Captain, my Captain, our fearful trip is done..."4
9966253908Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
9966253909ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor.6
9966253910Euphemismcorrectional facility = jail between jobs = unemployed7
9966253911HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
9966253912InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
9966253913Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
9966253914AnaphoraThe exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
9966253915PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
9966253916Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
9966253917SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words.14
9966253918SyllogismA deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.15
9966253919SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole.16
9966253920SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
9966253921ApologiaA written or spoken defense of one's beliefs and actions.18
9966253922EpigramA brief witty statement.19
9966253923DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
9966253924EllipsisThe omission of a word or several words.21
9966253925Ad HominemAttacking a speaker's character instead of to their argument.22
9966253926AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
9966253927DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
9966253928FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
9966253929HubrisExcessive pride that often brings about one's fall.26
9966253930AlliterationRepetition of consonant sounds, usually at the beginnings of words27
9966253931LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
9966253932ParadoxA statement or idea that seems contradictory but is in fact true.29
9966253933Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
9966253934AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
9966253935JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group.32
9966253936TaciturnNot talking much, reserved; silent, holding back in conversation.33
9966253937DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
9966253938PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
9966253939BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
9966253940VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
9966253941ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
9966253942TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
9966253943InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
9966253944LackadaisicalDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
9966253945ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
9966253946ChiasmusA 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
9966253947Loose SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come at the front of the sentence.44
9966253948PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
9966253949Periodic SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come toward the end of the sentence.46
9966253950ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
9966253951CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
9966253952SarcasmCaustic, bitter language--iterally means "to tear the flesh."49
9966253953Independent ClauseA complete sentence.50
9966253954Dependent ClauseIncludes a subordinate conjunction, such as because, while, etc.51
9966253955AllusionA reference to something (e.g., a book, a movie, an historical event) that is presumed to be well known to the audience.52
9966253956SatireA work that pokes fun human vices and follies in order to call attention to a larger problem.53
9966253957ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.54
9966253958Coup de GraceThe "death blow"--the culminating event in a bad situation.55
9966253959Coup d'EtatLiterally "blow to the state"--a violent overthrow.56
9966253960Faux PasA social misstep or inappropriate action.57
9966253961Laissez-FaireLiterally "allow to do"--letting things run their natural course; hands off.58
9966253962En MasseIn a body as a whole; as a group.59
9966253963ProprietaryCharacteristic of an owner of property; constituting property.60
9966253964ProprietyThe quality of behaving in a proper manner; obeying rules and customs.61
9966253965ImminentAbout to happen.62
9966253966EminentFamous, outstanding, distinguished.63
9966253967EgoAccording to Freud, the decision-making component of personality that operates according to the reality principle.64
9966253968SuperegoAccording to Freud, that facet of the psyche that represents the internalized ideals and values of one's parents and society65
9966253969IdLiterally the "It"--our base impulses, driven by selfishness and greed, for example.66
9966253970HamartiaA character's error in judgment that contributes to one's downfall.67
9966253971OrwellianThe manipulation of language and ideas to control and obstruct the truth.68
9966253972AutonomosIndependent, self-governing, not under the control of something or someone else.69

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