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AP English Language and Composition Terms Flashcards

AP English Language Literary Terms

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8780422593allegoryusing character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning0
8780422594alliterationthe repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in 2+ neighboring words1
8780422595allusiona direct/indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known2
8780422596ambiguityhaving multiple meaning, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence or passage3
8780422597analogya similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. It can help explain an unfamiliar things by comparison.4
8780422598antecedentthe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun5
8780422599antithesisthe opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite6
8780422600aphorisma terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or moral principle. (If anonymous, called a folk proverb)7
8780422601apostrophea figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction (i.e. love or liberty)8
8780422602caricaturea verbal description with the purpose to exaggerate or distort a person's characteristics for comic effect9
8780422603clausecontains both a subject and a verb. Main (independent) clauses can stand alone as a sentence. Dependent (subordinate) clauses must be accompanied by an independent clause.10
8780422604colloquialismuse of slang/informalities in speech or writing11
8780422605conceita fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.12
8780422606connotationthe non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied/suggested meaning.13
8780422607denotationthe strict, literal dictionary definition of a word14
8780422608dictionthe writer's word choices15
8780422609didacticliterally means teaching; describes words that are for teaching or instructing, especially with morals or ethical principles16
8780422610euphemismless offensive substitute for an unpleasant word or idea. Ex. earthly remains instead of corpse17
8780422611extended metaphora metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in/throughout a work18
8780422612figurative languagewriting or speech not intended to carry literal meaning19
8780422613hyperbolea figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement20
8780422614imagerysensory details of figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions21
8780422615invectivean emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language22
8780422616ironythe contrast between what is explicitly stated and what is really meant. Or, the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true.23
8780422617verbal ironythe words literally state the opposite of the writer's meaning24
8780422618situational ironywhen events turn out the opposite of what was expected25
8780422619dramatic ironywhen facts or events are unknown to a character in a play or piece of fiction but known to the reader, audience or other characters in the work26
8780422620litotes (sounds like little tee)a form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite; opposite of hyperbole27
8780422621loose/ non-periodic sentencetype of sentence in which the main clause comes first followed by dependent clause(s).28
8780422622metaphorfigure of speech using implied comparison29
8780422623metonymyfigure of speech in which the name of an object is substituted for a similar name. Ex. The white house for the president30
8780422624onomatopoeiafigure of speech when woods imitate sounds. Ex. hiss, crack, band31
8780422625oxymoronfigure of speech where the author groups contradictory things to suggest a paradox. Ex. jumbo shrimp and cruel kindness32
8780422626paradoxa statement that appears to be self-contradictory but has some degree of truth or validity33
8780422627parallelismalso known as parallel structure, ordering words, phrases or paragraphs to create structural similarity34
8780422628anaphoraa type of parallelism with the exact repetition of words or phrases is at the beginning of successive lines or sentences35
8780422629parodya work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comedy or ridicule36
8780422630pedanticdescribes words, phrases or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic or bookish37
8780422631periodic sentencedependent clause first, then main clause at end.38
8780422632personificationfigure of speech when concepts, animals or inanimate objects are given humanlike characteristics or emotions39
8780422633repetitionexact or approximate duplication of any element of language such as sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence or grammatical pattern40
8780422634rhetoricprinciples of how to write effectively, eloquently and persuasively41
8780422635rhetorical modesthe variety, conventions and purposes of the major kinds of writing. The four most common rhetorical modes are exposition (explain and analyze), argumentation (aka persuasive writing), description (describe for the reader) and narration(tell a stroy or narrate an event)42
8780422636sarcasmbitter language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something.43
8780422637satirea work that targets human vice or follies or social conventions and institutions to reform or ridicule44
8780422638semanticsbranch of linguistics that studies the meaning and origin of words45
8780422639subject complementthe word or clause that follows a linking verb that describes the subject by renaming the subject (predicate nominative) or describing the subject (predicate adjective)46
8780422640syllogisma deductive system of logic that presents 2 premises that lead to a sound conclusion. Ex. 1. All men are mortal. 2. Socrates is a man. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.47
8780422641symbolanything that represents itself and stands for something else.48
8780422642natural symbolsobjects or occurrences in nature that symbolize ideas associated with them. Ex. roses and love49
8780422643conventional symbolssymbols that have been invested with meaning by a group. Ex. cross and christianity50
8780422644literary symbolssymboles that are in variety of books and are more generally recognized.51
8780422645synecdochea figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole or the whole represents a part. Ex. calling a car "wheels" or referring to all of the string instruments in an orchestra as "the strings"52
8780422646synesthesiaa sensory stimulus that evokes the subjective experience of another. Ex. seeing red ants makes you itchy53
8780422647syntaxthe way an author structures his words into phrase, clauses and sentences.54
8780422648understatementthe ironic minimalizing of fact55
8780422649witintellectually amusing language that surprises and delights. Witty statements are humorous while demonstrating the speaker's ability to use words to make ingenious or perceptive remarks56

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