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ap english vocab 1

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85733320Abstractrefers to language that describes concepts rather than concrete images (ideas and qualities rather than observable or specific things, people, or places). The observable or "physical" is usually described in concrete language
85733321Allegoryan extended narrative in prose or verse in which characters, events, and settings represent abstract qualities and in which the writer intends a second meaning to be read beneath the surface of the story; the underlying meaning may be moral, religious, political, social, or satiric
85733322Anecodotea short, simple narrative of an incident; often used for humorous effect or to make a point
85733323Annotationexplanatory notes added to a text to explain, cite sources, or give bibliographical data
85733324Antithesishe presentation of two contrasting images. The ideas are balanced by word, phrase, clause, or paragraphs. "To be or not to be..." "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country...."
85733325Aphorisma short, often witty statement of a principle or a truth about life: "Early bird gets the worm."
85733326Apostropheusually in poetry but sometimes in prose; the device of calling out to an imaginary, dead, or absent person or to a place, thing, or personified abstraction
85733327Argumentationwriting that attempts to prove the validity of a point of view or an idea by presenting reasoned arguments; persuasive writing is a form of argumentation
85733328Cacophony; Dissonanceharsh, awkward sounds used deliberately in poetry or prose; the opposite of euphony
85733329Caricaturedescriptive writing that greatly exaggerates a specific feature of a person's appearance or a facet of personality
85733330Colloquialisma word or phrase (including slang) used in everyday conversation and informal writing but that is often inappropriate in formal writing (y'all, ain't)
85733331Coherence;Unityquality of a piece of writing in which all the parts contribute to the development of the central idea, theme, or organizing principle
85733332Concrete LanguageLanguage that describes specific, observable things, people, or places, rather than ideas or qualities
85733333Connotationimplied or suggested meaning of a word because of its association in the reader's mind
85733334Consonancerepetition of identical consonant sounds within two or more words in close proximity, as in boost/best; it can also be seen within several compound words, such as fulfill and ping-pong
85733335Conundruma riddle whose answer is or involves a pun; it may also be a paradox or difficult problem
85733336Deductionthe process of moving from a general rule to a specific example.
85733337Denotationliteral meaning of a word as defined
85733338Descriptionthe picturing in words of something or someone through detailed observation of color,motion, sound, taste, smell, and touch; one of the four modes of discourse
85733339Dictionword choice, an element of style; Diction creates tone, attitude, and style, as well as meaning. Different types and arrangements of words have significant effects on meaning. An essay written in academic diction would be much less colorful, but perhaps more precise than street slang
85733340Didacticwriting whose purpose is to instruct or to teach. A didactic work is usually formal and focuses on moral or ethical concerns. Didactic writing may be fiction or nonfiction that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking
85733341Discoursespoken or written language, including literary works; the four traditionally classified modes of discourse are description, exposition, narration, and persuasion
85733342Emotional Appeal; PathosWhen a writer appeals to readers' emotions (often through pathos) to excite and involve them in the argument
85733343Epigraphthe use of a quotation at the beginning of a work that hints at its theme. Hemingway begins The Sun Also Rises with two epigraphs. One of them is "You are all a lost generation" by Gertrude Stein.
85733344Ethical Appeal; EthosWhen a writer tries to persuade the audience to believe him or her based on a presentation of image of self through the text. Reputation is sometimes a factor in ethical appeal, but in all cases the aim is to gain the audience's confidence
85733345Euphemisma more acceptable and usually more pleasant way of saying something that might be inappropriate or uncomfortable.

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