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AP English Language & Composition Exam Flashcards

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9637397666DictionWord choice0
9637402232SyntaxThe ordering of words in a sentence; it describes sentence structure1
9637426044StyleThe manner of expression. It describes how the author uses language top get his or her point across (e.g., pedantic, scientific, and emotive)2
9637435369ToneThe attitude, mood, or sentiments revealed by the style. Tone describes how the author seems to be feeling (e.g., optimistic, ironic, and playful)3
9637451915Point of viewThe stance revealed by the style and the tone of the writing. The author's point of view expresses his or her position on the topic discussed4
9637486090RhetoricThe art of speaking or writing effectively. It is often referred to as the stylistic devices an author uses to appeal successfully to a specific audience and is usually persuasive in nature5
9637494531Figurative languageSpeech or writing that departs from literal meaning to achieve a special effect or meaning6
9637564536LogosAn appeal to reason and logic7
9637564537PathosAn appeal to emotions, values, or desires of the audience8
9637564538EthosAn appeal to the speakers credibility- whether they are to be believed on the basis of their character and expertise9
9637647954ImageryFigurative language that is used to convey a sensory perception (visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile)10
9637658572HyperboleOverstatement or exaggeration; it is the use of figurative language that significantly exaggerates the facts for effort11
9637689179UnderstatementFigurative language that presents the facts in a way that makes them appear much less significant than they really are12
9637695068SimileA comparison between two unlike objects, in which the two parts are connected with a term such as like or as13
9637707283MetaphorA simile without a connecting term such as like or as14
9637725839Extended metaphorA metaphor that lasts longer than just one phase or sentence15
9637743534SymbolA word that represents something other than itself16
9637750047DenotationRefers to a word's primary or literal significance17
9637750048ConnotationRefers to the vast range of other meanings that a word suggests18
9637854713ParadoxContains two elements which cannot be true at the same time19
9637862466OxymoronWhen two seemingly contradictory words are paired together20
9637902036PersonificationThe figurative device in which inanimate objects or concepts are given human qualities21
9637920234AnthropomorphismA specific type of personification wherein animals are given human qualities22
9637926931Rhetorical questionA question whose answer is obvious; these types of questions don't need to be answered23
9637928418BombastLanguage that is overly rhetorical, especially when considered in context24
9637966970PunA play on words25
9637994347metonymyOne term is substituted for another term with which it is closely associated Ex. The sailors drank a glass of heart red. -Sailors cannot drink red. However the color represents wine (red wine)26
9638019715SynecdocheA form of metonymy that's restricted to cases where a part is used to signify the whole Ex. All hands on deck -The hands represents the sailors27
9638038225ThemeA general idea contained in a text. A theme is not just an ideal; it is an idea that is developed28
9638120836AphorismA concise, pithy statement of an opinion or a general truth29
9638166534MalapropismThe mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect30
9638173361Circumlocution1) Talking around a subject 2) Talking around a word It is often used to communicate different points of view31
9638261232EuphemismA word or words that are used to avoid employing an unpleasant or offensive term32
9638311169Verbal ironyThe process of stating something but meaning the opposite of what is stated33
9638353593SarcasmVerbal irony with the intent to injure.34
9638385225Situational ironyRefers to a situation that runs contrary to what was expected35
9638394646SatireSomething is portrayed in a way that's deliberately distorted to achieve comic effect. A social or political criticism that relies heavily on irony, sarcasm, and often humor36
9638441354ParodyImitation for comic effect37
9638441409LampoonSharp ridicule of the behavior or character of a person institution38
9638445432CaricatureA ludicrous exaggeration of the defects of persons or things39
9651213305FallacyStrictly defined as guile, trickery, or a false or mistaken idea. Fallacies have the appearance of truth but are erroneous40
9651428151Ad hominem argumentAny kind of fallacious argument that criticizes an idea by pointing out something about the person who holds the idea, rather than directly addressing the actual merit of the idea41
9651470246Argument from authorityTemps us to agree with the writer's assumptions based on the authority of a famous person or entity or on his or her own character (when the writers are well-known)42
9651494006Appeal to ignoranceAn argument bases on the assumption that whatever has not been proven false must be true or whatever has not been proven true must be false43
9651535603Begging the questionA fallacious form of argument in which someone assumes that parts or all of what the person claims to be proving are proven facts44
9651562974Hasty generalizationleading someone to a conclusion by providing insufficient, selective evidence. This is also known as a sampling error45
9651574303Non sequiturA statement that does not logically relate to what comes before it46
9651590217False dichotomyConsists of a consideration of only the two extremes when there are one or more intermediate possibilities Ex. Ap Calculus BC is impossible; either you get it or you don't47
9651606465Slippery slopeArguments that suggest dire consequences from relatively minor causes48
9651633716Faulty causalityRefers to the setting up of a cause-and-effect relationship when none exists49
9651639711Straw man argumentConsists of an oversimplification of an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack50
9651730756Sentimental appealA tactic that attempts to appeal; to the hearts of the readers so they they forget to use their minds51
9651733789Red herringAttempts to shift attention away from an important issue by introducing an issue that has no logical connection to the discussion at hand52
9651743177Scare tacticUsed to frighten readers or listeners into agreeing with the speakers; often, when scare tactics are used, the speaker has no logical argument on which to fall back53
9651764956Bandwagon appealsEncourages the listener to agree with a position because everyone else does. The logic is: if everyone else is doing it, it must be all right54
9651789444DogmatismDoes not allow for discussion because the speaker presumes that his or her beliefs are beyond question; essentially saying that "I'm correct because I'm correct"55
9651817431EquivocationTelling part of the truth, while deliberately hiding the entire truth56
9651844826Faulty analogyAn illogical, misleading comparison between two things57
9665709215AnalogyA comparison used to explain something58
9665745408Process analysisA rhetorical mode that's used by writers when they want to explain how to do something or how something is done59
9665764419Cause and effectA rhetorical mode that explains why things should be done or should have been done60
9665822196ObjectiveBased on facts61
9665822197SubjectiveBased on feelings or opinions62
9665911287InductionIs a process in which specific examples are used to reach a general conclusion. Proceeds from the specific to a generalization63
9665913604DeductionInvolves the use of a generalization to draw a conclusion about a specific case. Is the process of applying a generalization to a specific case64

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