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AP English Language and Composition (rhetoric terms) Flashcards

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9831776383AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically.0
9831776384AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
9831776385AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
9831776386AphorismEarly to bed and early to rise help make a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. -Ben Franklin3
9831776387Apostrophe"Oh, Captain, my Captain, our fearful trip is done..."4
9831776388Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
9831776389ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor.6
9831776390Euphemismcorrectional facility = jail between jobs = unemployed7
9831776391HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
9831776392InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
9831776393Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
9831776394AnaphoraThe exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
9831776395PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
9831776396Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
9831776397SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words.14
9831776398SyllogismA deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.15
9831776399SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole.16
9831776400SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
9831776401ApologiaA written or spoken defense of one's beliefs and actions.18
9831776402EpigramA brief witty statement.19
9831776403DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
9831776404EllipsisThe omission of a word or several words.21
9831776405Ad HominemAttacking a speaker's character instead of to their argument.22
9831776406AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
9831776407DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
9831776408FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
9831776409HubrisExcessive pride that often brings about one's fall.26
9831776410AlliterationRepetition of consonant sounds, usually at the beginnings of words27
9831776411LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
9831776412ParadoxA statement or idea that seems contradictory but is in fact true.29
9831776413Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
9831776414AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
9831776415JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group.32
9831776416TaciturnNot talking much, reserved; silent, holding back in conversation.33
9831776417DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
9831776418PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
9831776419BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
9831776420VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
9831776421ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
9831776422TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
9831776423InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
9831776424LackadaisicalDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
9831776425ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
9831776426ChiasmusA 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
9831776427Loose SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come at the front of the sentence.44
9831776428PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
9831776429Periodic SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come toward the end of the sentence.46
9831776430ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
9831776431CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
9831776432SarcasmCaustic, bitter language--iterally means "to tear the flesh."49
9831776433Independent ClauseA complete sentence.50
9831776434Dependent ClauseIncludes a subordinate conjunction, such as because, while, etc.51
9831776435AllusionA reference to something (e.g., a book, a movie, an historical event) that is presumed to be well known to the audience.52
9831776436SatireA work that pokes fun human vices and follies in order to call attention to a larger problem.53
9831776437ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.54
9831776438Coup de GraceThe "death blow"--the culminating event in a bad situation.55
9831776439Coup d'EtatLiterally "blow to the state"--a violent overthrow.56
9831776440Faux PasA social misstep or inappropriate action.57
9831776441Laissez-FaireLiterally "allow to do"--letting things run their natural course; hands off.58
9831776442En MasseIn a body as a whole; as a group.59
9831776443ProprietaryCharacteristic of an owner of property; constituting property.60
9831776444ProprietyThe quality of behaving in a proper manner; obeying rules and customs.61
9831776445ImminentAbout to happen.62
9831776446EminentFamous, outstanding, distinguished.63
9831776447EgoAccording to Freud, the decision-making component of personality that operates according to the reality principle.64
9831776448SuperegoAccording to Freud, that facet of the psyche that represents the internalized ideals and values of one's parents and society65
9831776449IdLiterally the "It"--our base impulses, driven by selfishness and greed, for example.66
9831776450HamartiaA character's error in judgment that contributes to one's downfall.67
9831776451OrwellianThe manipulation of language and ideas to control and obstruct the truth.68
9831776452AutonomosIndependent, self-governing, not under the control of something or someone else.69

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