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AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

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10592713779AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent and abstraction in addition to literal meaning.0
10592713780AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
10592713781AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
10592713782AphorismTerse statement of unknown authorship which expresses a general truth or moral3
10592713783ApostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love.4
10592713784Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
10592713785ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.6
10592713786EuphemismEuphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.7
10592713787HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
10592713788InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
10592713789Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
10592713790AnaphoraA sub-type of parallelism, when the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
10592713791PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
10592713792Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
10592713793SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another.14
10592713794SyllogismFrom 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
10592713795SynecdocheA 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
10592713796SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
10592713797AnnotationExplanatory or critical notes added to a text.18
10592713798EpigramA brief witty statement.19
10592713799DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
10592713800Ellipsisthe omission of a word or several words necessary for a complete construction that is still understandable.21
10592713801Ad HominemDirected to or appealing to feelings or prejudices instead of to intellect or reason.22
10592713802AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
10592713803DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
10592713804FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
10592713805HubrisExcessive pride that often affects tone.26
10592713806Inductive ReasoningA method of reasoning in which a number of specific facts or examples are used to make a generalization.27
10592713807LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
10592713808MotifA phrase, idea, or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in an essay or other discourse.29
10592713809Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
10592713810AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
10592713811JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.32
10592713812DiatribeA forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.33
10592713813DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
10592713814PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
10592713815BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
10592713816VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
10592713817ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
10592713818TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
10592713819InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
10592713820LanguidDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
10592713821ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
10592713822DyspepticOf or having indigestion or consequent irritability or depression.43
10592713823DoggerelComic verse composed in irregular rhythm.44
10592713824PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
10592713825InfidelA person who does not believe in religion or who adheres to a religion other than one's own.46
10592713826ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
10592713827CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
10592713828VexMake (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters.49

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