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AP English Language Flashcards

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This is a combination of the AP English Language and Composition Hit Parade, A Working Vocabulary of Fundamental Terms, and Rhetorical/Literary Terms and Definitions vocab lists.

Terms : Hide Images
6284987412clarityclearness in thought or expression0
6284987413cogentconvincing; reasonable1
6284987416didacticintended to instruct2
6284987417discourseverbal expression or exchange; conversation3
6284987418eloquencethe ability to speak vividly or persuasively4
6284987420fluideasily flowing5
6284987421implicationthe act of suggesting or hinting6
6284987422lucideasily understood; clear7
6284987424arbitera judge who decides a disputed issue8
6284987425biasedprejudiced9
6284987426exculpateto free from guilt or blame10
6284987427impartialnot in favor of one side or the other, unbiased11
6284987428incontrovertiblenot able to be denied or disputed12
6284987429integritytrustworthiness; completeness13
6284987430objectivitytreating facts without influence from personal feelings or prejudices14
6284987431penitentexpressing remorse for one's misdeeds15
6284987433substantiatedsupported with proof or evidence; verified16
6284987434vindicatedfreed from blame17
6284987435condescendingtreating people as weak or inferior18
6284987436contemptuousfeeling hatred; scornful19
6284987437despoticexercising absolute power; tyrannical20
6284987438dictatorialdomineering; oppressively overbearing21
6284987439disdaincontempt, scorn22
6284987441haughtyarrogant; vainly proud23
6284987442imperiousarrogantly domineering or overbearing24
6284987443patronizingtreating in a condescending manner25
6284987444convolutedintricate; complex26
6284987450quandarya state of uncertainty or perplexity27
6284987451indolentlazy28
6284987452insipiduninteresting; unchallenging29
6284987453listlesslacking energy30
6284987454torporlaziness; inactivity; dullness31
6284987455alienatedremoved or disassociated from (friends, family, or homeland)32
6284987457disparityinequality in age, rank, or degree; difference33
6284987458servilesubmissive; like a servant34
6284987459suppressedsubdued; kept from being circulated35
6284987460embellishto make beautiful by ornamenting; to decorate36
6284987461floriddescribing flowery or elaborate speech37
6284987462opulentexhibiting a display of great wealth38
6284987463ornateelaborately decorated39
6284987464ostentatiousdescribing a showy or pretentious display40
6284987465poignantprofoundly moving; touching41
6284987466ebullienceintense enthusiasm42
6284987467effusiveemotionally unrestrained; gushy43
6284987468egregiousconspicuously bad or offensive44
6284987469flagrantextremely or deliberately shocking or noticeable45
6284987470freneticwildly excited or active46
6284987471gratuitousgiven freely; unearned; unwarranted47
6284987472superfluousextra; unnecessary48
6284987473alleviateto ease a pain or burden49
6284987474asyluma place of retreat or security50
6284987475auspiciousfavorable; promising51
6284987476benevolentwell-meaning; generous52
6284987477benignkind and gentle53
6284987478mollifyto calm or soothe54
6284987479reclamationthe act of making something useful again55
6284987480sanctionto give official authorization or approval56
6284987481dubiousdoubtful; of unlikely authenticity57
6284987482fabricatedmade; concocted to deceive58
6284987483hypocrisythe practice of pretending to be something one is not; insincerity59
6284987484slanderfalse charges and malicious oral statements about someone60
6284987485spuriousnot genuine61
6284987486astuteshrewd; clever62
6284987487clandestinesecretive63
6284987488coupa brilliantly executed plan64
6284987489disingenuousnot straightforward; crafty65
6284987490rusea crafty trick66
6284987491stratagema clever trick used to deceive or outwit67
6284987492surreptitiouslydone by secretive means68
6284987493waryon guard69
6284987494wilycunning70
6284987495ambiguousopen to more than one interpretation71
6284987496ambivalentsimultaneously having opposing feelings; uncertain72
6284987497apatheticfeeling or showing little emotion73
6284987498arbitrarydetermined by impulse rather than reason74
6284987499capriciousimpulsive and unpredictable75
6284987500equivocateto avoid making a definite statement76
6284987501indifferentnot caring one way or the other77
6284987503whimsicalsubject to erratic behavior; unpredictable78
6284987504inconsequentialunimportant79
6284987505superficialconcerned only with what is on the surface or obvious; shallow80
6284987506tenuoushaving little substance or strength; shaky; unsure, weak81
6284987507trivialof little importance or significance82
6284987508assiduoushard-working83
6284987509compellingforceful; urgently demanding attention84
6284987510diligentmarked by painstaking effort; hard-working85
6284987511doggedstubbornly persevering86
6284987513intrepidcourageous; fearless87
6284987514maverickone who is independent and resists adherence to a group88
6284987515obduratestubborn; inflexible89
6284987516obstinatestubbornly adhering to an opinion or a course of action90
6284987517proliferateto grow or increase rapidly91
6284987518tenacitypersistence92
6284987519vitalityenergy; power to survive93
6284987520assimilationto absorb; to make similar94
6284987522contextcircumstances of a situation; environment95
6284987523derivedcopied or adapted from a source96
6284987524incumbentimposed as a duty; obligatory97
6284987526malleableeasily shaped or formed; easily influenced98
6284987527subdueto restrain; to hold back99
6284987528acquireddeveloped or learned; not naturally occurring100
6284987529conceptionthe ability to form or understand an idea101
6284987530convictiona fixed or strong belief102
6284987531dogmaticstubbornly adhering to unproved beliefs103
6284987532enlighteninginformative; contributing to one's awareness104
6284987533impressiona feeling or understanding resulting from an experience105
6284987534intuitionthe power of knowing things without thinking; sharp insight106
6284987535misconceptionan incorrect understanding or interpretation107
6284987536perceptionawareness; insight108
6284987537perspectivepoint of view109
6284987538profoundhaving great depth or seriousness110
6284987539inherentinborn; built-in111
6284987540innatepossessed from birth; inborn112
6284987541inveteratelong established; deep-rooted; habitual113
6284987542omnipotentall-powerful114
6284987543proximitycloseness115
6284987544elusivedifficult to capture, as in something actually fleeting116
6284987545emigrateto leave one country or region and settle in another117
6284987546transientpassing away with time; passing from one place to another118
6284987547transitoryshort-lived or temporary119
6284987548affableeasy-going; friendly120
6284987549amenableresponsive; agreeable121
6284987550camaraderiegood will between friends122
6284987551cordialfriendly; sincere123
6284987552facetiousplayfully humorous124
6284987553impingehinder; interfere with125
6284987554lamentexpress grief for; mourn126
6284987555melancholysadness; depression127
6284987556sanctionan economic or military measure put in place to punish another country128
6284987557truncatedshortened; cut off129
6284987558aesthetichaving to do with the appreciation of beauty130
6284987559anthologya collection of literary pieces131
6284987560contemporarycurrent, modern; from the same time132
6284987561dilettanteone with an amateurish or superficial understanding of a field of knowledge133
6284987562eclecticmade up of a variety of sources or styles134
6284987563excerpta selected part of a passage or scene135
6284987564genredescribing a category or artistic endeavor136
6284987565medleyan assortment or a mixture, especially of musical pieces137
6284987566murala large painting applied directly to a wall or ceiling surface138
6284987568narrativea story139
6284987570realismartistic representation that aims for visual accuracy140
6284987571virtuosoa tremendously skilled artist141
6284987572decorousproper; marked by good taste142
6284987573equanimitythe quality of being calm and even-tempered; composure143
6284987575proprietyappropriateness of behavior144
6284987576prudentexercising good judgment or common sense145
6284987577serenecalm146
6284987578staidunemotional; serious147
6284987579stoicindifferent to pleasure or pain; impassive148
6284987582disparageto speak of in a slighting way or negatively; to belittle149
6284987583pejorativedescribing words or phrases that belittle or speak negatively of someone150
6284987585vilifyto make vicious statements about151
6284987586brusquerudely abrupt152
6284987587causticbitingly sarcastic or witty153
6284987588fractiousquarrelsome; unruly154
6284987589incorrigibleunable to be reformed155
6284987590ingratean ungrateful person156
6284987591insolentinsulting in manner or speech157
6284987593pugnaciouscombative; belligerent158
6284987594reprehensibleworthy of blame159
6284987596deleterioushaving a harmful effect; injurious160
6284987597enmitymutual hatred or ill-will161
6284987599malfeasancewrongdoing, misconduct162
6284987600maliceextreme ill-will or spite163
6284987601putridrotten164
6284987602rancoroushateful; marked by deep-seated ill-will165
6284987604archaiccharacteristic of an earlier period; old-fashioned166
6284987605hackneyedworn out through overuse; trite167
6284987606medievalreferring to the Middle Ages; old-fashioned168
6284987608austerewithout decoration; strict169
6284987609mediocritythe state or quality of being average; of moderate to low quality170
6284987610mundanecommonplace; ordinary171
6284987611ponderousextremely dull172
6284987612prosaicunimaginative; dull173
6284987613sedentarynot migratory; settled174
6284987614apprehensionanxiety or fear about the future175
6284987615harbingersomething that indicates what is to come; a forerunner176
6284987616ominousmenacing; threatening177
6284987617premonitiona feeling about the future178
6284987618timoroustimid; fearful about the future179
6284987619trepidationuncertainty; apprehension180
6284987622nascentcoming into existence; emerging181
6284987625candorsincerity; openness182
6284987626frankopen and sincere in expression; straightforward183
6284987627ariddescribing a dry, rainless climate184
6284987628conflagrationa widespread fire185
6284987629nocturnalof or occurring in the night186
6284987630sonorousproducing a deep or full sound187
6284987631ampledescribing a large amount of something188
6284987633copiousplentiful; having a large quantity189
6284987634permeatedspread or flowing throughout190
6284987635pervasivedispersed throughout191
6284987636prodigiousenormous192
6284987637repleteabundantly supplied: filled to capacity193
6284987639idealizeto consider perfect194
6284987640laudatorygiving praise195
6284987641paramountof chief concern or importance196
6284987642veneratedhighly respected197
6284987643catalogto make an itemized list of198
6284987644faciledone or achieved with little effort; easy199
6284987645fastidiouspossessing careful attention to detail; difficult to please200
6284987647meticulousextremely careful and precise201
6284987648pragmaticpractical202
6284987649solventable to pay one's debts203
6284987650abstractnot applied to actual objects204
6284987651anachronismsomething out of place in time or sequence205
6284987652anthropomorphismthe attribution of humanlike characteristics to inanimate objects, animals, or forces of nature206
6284987653apologydefense of an idea207
6284987654apparatusequipment; a group of machines208
6284987655appositiona grammar construction in which a noun (or noun phrase) is placed with another as an explanation209
6284987656archetypea perfect example; an original pattern or model210
6284987657chiasmusan inversion in the second of two parallel phrases211
6284987658gesticulatingmaking gestures while speaking212
6284987659hypotheticalexisting only as an assumption or speculation213
6284987660lexicona word book describing language with definitions; a dictionary214
6284987661metonymya type of figurative language in which one term is substituted for another term with which it is closely associated215
6284987663panegyricstatement of high praise216
6284987664paradigman example or model217
6284987665parallelisma grammar construction in which two identical syntactic constructions are used218
6284987666periodlong, complex, grammatically correct sentence219
6284987667perniciouscausing great harm220
6284987669propitiouspresenting favorable circumstances; auspicious221
6284987671sardonicdisdainfully or ironically humorous; harsh, bitter, or caustic222
6284987672syllogisma form of deductive reasoning; a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion223
6284987673synecdochea form of metonymy that's restricted to cases where a part is used to signify the whole224
6284987674theoreticallacking application or practical application225
6284987675active voicethe opposite of passive voice; essentially any sentence with an active verb226
6284987676ad homineman attack on the person rather than the issues at hand (a common fallacy)227
6284987677alliterationthe repetition of a phonetic sound at the beginning of several words in a sentence228
6284987678allusiona reference that recalls another work, another time in history, another famous person, and so forth229
6284987679anadiplosisa wonderful technique of repetition in which the last word of the clause begins the next clause, creating a connection of ideas important to the author's purpose in some way230
6284987682anastrophethe reversal of the natural order of words in a sentence or line of poetry231
6284987683antithesisan observation or claim that is in opposition to your claim or an author's claim232
6284987684aphorisma brief statement of an opinion or elemental truth233
6284987686appositivealso called a noun phrase, this modifies the noun next to it234
6284987687argument from ignorancean argument stating that something is true because it has never been proven false235
6284987688asyndetonthe deliberate omission of conjunctions from a series of related independent clauses236
6284987690begging the questionthis argument occurs when the speaker states a claim that includes a word or phrase that needs to be defined before the argument can proceed237
6284987691cause and effectanother fallacy, this is also known as post hoc ergo propter hoc (Latin for "after this, therefore because of this"), and it falls under the general umbrella of a causality fallacy or false cause238
6284987692chiasmusthis is an ABBA syntactical structure rather than the more common parallel ABAB structure239
6284987693complex sentencea sentence structure that is a combination of a dependent clause and an independent clause240
6284987694compound sentencea sentence structure made up of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction241
6284987695compound-complex sentencea combination of a compound and a complex sentence242
6284987696connotationthe associations or moods that accompany a word243
6284987697declarative sentencea basic statement or an assertion; the most common type of sentence244
6284987699denotationthe opposite of connotation; quite literally the dictionary meaning of a word245
6284987700dependent clausethis clause contains a noun and a verb but is set up with a subordinate conjunction, which makes the clause an incomplete thought246
6284987701dialecta regional speech pattern; the way people talk in different parts of the world247
6284987702dictionthe particular words an author uses in an essay248
6284987703distractora possible answer that seems to be correct, but is either wrong or is not as good as other answers249
6284987704ellipsisthree dots that indicate words have been left out of a quotation; they also can be used to create suspense250
6284987705epanalepsislike chiasmus, this figure repeats the opening word or phrase at the end of the sentence to emphasize a statement or idea, but it is not an ABBA reversal251
6284987706epistrophea minor device, this is the ending of a series of lines, phrases, clauses, or sentences with the same word or words252
6284987708etymologythe study of the origin of words and their historical uses253
6284987709euphemismto use a safer or nicer word for something others find inappropriate or unappealing254
6284987710exclamatory sentencea sentence that conveys excitement or force255
6284987711fallacya failure of logical reasoning256
6284987712false analogyan argument using an inappropriate metaphor257
6284987713false dilemmaalso known as an either/or fallacy; the suggestion is made in the argument that the problem or debate only has two solutions; can also be called the fallacy of the excluded middle258
6284987714gerunda verb ending in "ing" that serves as a noun259
6284987717imperative sentencea command260
6284987718independent clausea clause that can stand alone as a sentence; it must have a noun and a verb (subject and predicate)261
6284987719inductivea form of logical argumentation that requires the use of examples262
6284987720infinitivethe word "to" plus a verb, usually functioning as a noun, and often as a predicate in a sentence263
6284987721interrogative sentencea question264
6284987723jargona pattern of speech and vocabulary associated with a particular group of people265
6284987724juxtapositionmaking one idea more dramatic by placing it next to its opposite266
6284987726loose sentencean independent clause followed by all sorts of debris, usually dependent clauses267
6284987727malapropisma wonderful form of word play in which one word is mistakenly substituted for another that sounds similar268
6284987728metaphora figure of speech in which what is unknown is compared to something that is known in order to better gauge its importance269
6284987729metonymya minor figure of speech in which the name of one thing is substituted for another with which it is closely associated270
6284987730non sequiturthis literally means "it does not follow"; this is an argument by misdirection and is logically irrelevant271
6284987731objecta noun toward which thought, feeling, or action is directed272
6284987732onomatopoeiaa minor figure of speech in which a sound imitates the thing or action associated with it273
6284987733oxymorontwo words that together create a sense of opposition274
6284987734paradoxa major figure of speech in rhetorical analysis that seeks to create a mental discontinuity, which then forces the reader to pause and seek clarity275
6284987735parallel syntax (or parallelism)a pattern of speech or language that creates a rhythm of repetition often combined with some other language of repetition276
6284987737participlea verbal (expressing action or a state of being) that is used as an adjective and most often ends in -ing or -ed277
6284987738passive voicethe opposite of active voice; in this voice, something happens to someone278
6284987740periodic sentencea sentence with several dependent clauses that precede the independent clause279
6284987742phrasea grouping of words that define or clarity; a group of words that is not a sentence because there is no verb280
6284987744poisoning the wella person or character is introduced with language that suggests that he is not at all reliable before the listener/reader knows anything about him281
6284987745polysyndetonthe use of consecutive coordinating conjunctions even when they are not needed282
6284987746predicatethe formal term for the verb that conveys the meaning or carries the action of the sentence283
6284987747predicate adjectivean adjective that follows a linking verb and modifies the subject of the sentence284
6284987748predicate nominativea noun or pronoun that uses a linking verb to unite, describe, or rename the noun in the subject of the sentence285
6284987749premiseanother word for a claim; a statement of truth, at least to the person making the argument286
6284987750promptin essay questions, this has two definitions: the correct one and the common one; the correct one is that this is the paragraph or language that defines the essay task (doesn't include the passage itself); the common definition of this is one you will hear teachers and consultants use to refer to any and all parts of an essay question287
6284987751puna play on words; in an argument, this usually calls humorous attention to a particular point288
6284987752red herringan argument that distracts the reader by raising issues irrelevant to the case289
6284987753repetitiona fundamental form of rhetorical stress that calls the reader's attention to a particular word, phrase, or image for emphasis of meaning290
6284987754rhetorical questiona question whose answer is assumed, this is designed to force the reader to respond in a predetermined manner and is a significant tool in the study of rhetoric291
6284987755rhetorical shiftthis occurs when the author of an essay significantly alters his or her diction, syntax, or both292
6284987756similea crucial figure of speech in an argument when what is unknown is compared to something that is known using the word "like," or "as," or "than" in order to better perceive its importance293
6284987757simple sentencean independent clause; has a subject and a verb, and that's pretty much it294
6284987758slippery slope (also called domino theory)this fallacy of argumentation argues that one thing inevitably leads to another295
6284987759stemin the multiple-choice section, this is the question you are asked to complete with the given possible answers296
6284987760straw manthis occurs when a person engaging in an argument defines his opponent's position when the opponent is not present and defines it in a manner that is easy to attack297
6284987761subjectthe formal term for the noun that is the basic focus of the sentence; it is who or what is doing the action in the sentence298
6284987762subordinate conjunctiona conjunction that makes an independent clause into a dependent clause299
6284987763syllogismin its basic form, this is a three-part argument construction in which two premises lead to a truth300
6284987764synecdochea minor figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole301
6284987766synthesisto unite or synthesize a variety of sources to achieve a common end302
6284987769tricolona sentence with three equally distinct and equally long parts303
6284987770understatementthis creates exaggeration by showing restraint; it is the opposite of hyperbole304
6284987771zeugmaa minor device in which two or more elements in a sentence are tied together by the same verb or noun; these are especially acute if the noun or verb does not have the exact same meaning in both parts of the sentence305
6284987772rhetoricthe study of the effective use of language; the art of using language effectively and persuasively306
6284987776rhetorical triangleauthor, audience, purpose307
6284987777tonethe manner in which a writer expresses his/her attitude toward the subject and audience; mainly expressed through diction, syntax, and POV308
6284987778similea statement using 'like' or 'as' to compare two unlike objects309
6284987780connotationthe moods/associations/implications of a word or phrase, as opposed to its exact meaning310
6284987781denotationthe literal meaning of a word; the dictionary definition311
6284987783euphemismsubstitution of an expression that may offend or suggest something unpleasant to the receiver with an agreeable or less offensive expression or to make it less troublesome for the speaker312
6284987784ambiguitythe presence of two or more possible meanings in any passage; not clear313
6284987785ironythe use of language to suggest the opposite of the literal meaning or incongruity between what is expected and what actually occurs314
6284987786oxymorontwo words that create a sense of opposition; a figure of speech in which incongruous or contradictory terms appear side-by-side315
6284987787paradoxa statement or a proposition that seems senseless or self-contradictory, but in reality, it may be true316
6284987788fallacya failure of logical reasoning317
6284987789exemplificationshowing by example318
6284987790descriptionrhetorical strategy that uses sensory details to portray a person, place, or thing319
6284987791narrationtelling a story; a specific way of telling a story320
6284987792compare/contrastthe process of identifying similarities and differences between things321
6284987793division/classificationdividing a subject into categories and analyzing the characteristics of each category322
6284987795absolutesa choice in which something must be one way or the other - there is no middle ground323
6284987796rapporta relationship that individuals build324
6284987797process analysisa descriptive chronology of the stages in the development of a process325
6284987798definitionthe formal statement of the meaning of a word or phrase326
6284987799argumentationthe process of forming reasons, justifying beliefs, and drawing conclusions with the aim of influencing the thoughts and/or actions of others327
6284987800double-binda situation of conflict from which there is no escape; an irresolvable dilemma328
6284987801emotional wordsalso known as loaded words, these can demonstrate a writer's intense feelings or emotions; they display an author's voice329
6284987802humora specific tone or attitude a writer may use in an essay by attempting to be comedic or amusing330
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