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AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

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9743033061AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically.0
9743033062AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
9743033063AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
9743033064AphorismEarly to bed and early to rise help make a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. -Ben Franklin3
9743033065Apostrophe"Oh, Captain, my Captain, our fearful trip is done..."4
9743033066Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
9743033067ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor.6
9743033068Euphemismcorrectional facility = jail between jobs = unemployed7
9743033069HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
9743033070InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
9743033071Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
9743033072AnaphoraThe exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
9743033073PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
9743033074Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
9743033075SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words.14
9743033076SyllogismA deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.15
9743033077SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole.16
9743033078SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
9743033079ApologiaA written or spoken defense of one's beliefs and actions.18
9743033080EpigramA brief witty statement.19
9743033081DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
9743033082EllipsisThe omission of a word or several words.21
9743033083Ad HominemAttacking a speaker's character instead of to their argument.22
9743033084AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
9743033085DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
9743033086FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
9743033087HubrisExcessive pride that often brings about one's fall.26
9743033088AlliterationRepetition of consonant sounds, usually at the beginnings of words27
9743033089LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
9743033090ParadoxA statement or idea that seems contradictory but is in fact true.29
9743033091Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
9743033092AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
9743033093JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group.32
9743033094TaciturnNot talking much, reserved; silent, holding back in conversation.33
9743033095DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
9743033096PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
9743033097BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
9743033098VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
9743033099ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
9743033100TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
9743033101InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
9743033102LackadaisicalDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
9743033103ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
9743033104ChiasmusA 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
9743033105Loose SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come at the front of the sentence.44
9743033106PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
9743033107Periodic SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come toward the end of the sentence.46
9743033108ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
9743033109CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
9743033110SarcasmCaustic, bitter language--iterally means "to tear the flesh."49
9743033111Independent ClauseA complete sentence.50
9743033112Dependent ClauseIncludes a subordinate conjunction, such as because, while, etc.51
9743033113AllusionA reference to something (e.g., a book, a movie, an historical event) that is presumed to be well known to the audience.52
9743033114SatireA work that pokes fun human vices and follies in order to call attention to a larger problem.53
9743033115ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.54
9743033116Coup de GraceThe "death blow"--the culminating event in a bad situation.55
9743033117Coup d'EtatLiterally "blow to the state"--a violent overthrow.56
9743033118Faux PasA social misstep or inappropriate action.57
9743033119Laissez-FaireLiterally "allow to do"--letting things run their natural course; hands off.58
9743033120En MasseIn a body as a whole; as a group.59
9743033121ProprietaryCharacteristic of an owner of property; constituting property.60
9743033122ProprietyThe quality of behaving in a proper manner; obeying rules and customs.61
9743033123ImminentAbout to happen.62
9743033124EminentFamous, outstanding, distinguished.63
9743033125EgoAccording to Freud, the decision-making component of personality that operates according to the reality principle.64
9743033126SuperegoAccording to Freud, that facet of the psyche that represents the internalized ideals and values of one's parents and society65
9743033127IdLiterally the "It"--our base impulses, driven by selfishness and greed, for example.66
9743033128HamartiaA character's error in judgment that contributes to one's downfall.67
9743033129OrwellianThe manipulation of language and ideas to control and obstruct the truth.68
9743033130AutonomosIndependent, self-governing, not under the control of something or someone else.69

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