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AP Lang Literary & Rhetorical Terms Flashcards

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9141843413Cumulative (Loose) Sentencebegins with a main clause that is followed by phrases and/or clauses that modify the main clause. These phrases or clauses add information to the main or independent clause.0
9141843414Periodic Sentencea sentence that, by leaving the completion of its main clause to the end, produces an effect of suspense.1
9141843415Litotesa figure of speech in which a negative statement is used to affirm a positive statement.2
9141843417Ethosan appeal to ethics and it is a means of convincing someone of the character or credibility of the persuader.3
9141843418Pathosan appeal to emotion, and is a way of convincing an audience of an argument by creating an emotional response.4
9141843419Logosan appeal to logic, and is a way of persuading an audience by reason.5
9141843420Concessionan acknowledgement that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable.6
9141843421SyllogismA logical structure that uses the major premise and minor premise to reach a necessary conclusion.7
9141843424Inductiona logical process wherein you reason from particulars to universal, using specific cases in order to draw a conclusion, which is also called a generalization.8
9141843425Deductiona logical process wherein you reach a conclusion by starting with a general principle or universal truth (a major premise).9
9141843426Equivocationa fallacy of argument in which a lie is given the appearance of truth, or in which the truth is misrepresented in deceptive language.10
9141843427Refutationa denial of the validity of an opposing argument.11
9141843428Dictiona speaker's choice of words. Analysis of diction looks at these choices and what they add to the speaker's message.12
9141843429Similea figure of speech used to explain or clarify an idea by comparing it explicitly to something else, using words like, as, or as though.13
9141843430Metaphorfigure of speech that compares two unlike things without using like or as.14
9141843431Anaphorathe intentional repetition of beginning clauses in order to create an artistic effect.15
9141843432Rhetoricit is the art of finding ways of persuading an audience.16
9141843433Rhetorical Trianglespeaker-subject-audience17
9141843434Allusionbrief reference to a person, event, or place (real or fictitious) to to a work of art.18
9141843435Hyperboledeliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or to produce a comic or ironic effect; an overstatement to make a point.19
9141843436Personificationattribution of a lifelike quality to an inanimate object or an idea.20
9141843437Asyndetonomission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.21
9141843438Polysyndetonthe deliberate use of multiple conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses or words.22
9141843439Parallelismsimilarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses.23
9141843440Antithesisopposition, or contrast or ideas or words in a parallel construction.24
9141843441Enumerationto mention separately as if in counting; name one by one; specify, as in list25
9141843442Rhetorical QuestionFigure of speech in the form of a question posed for the rhetorical effect rather than for the purpose of getting an answer. Ex.) Are you stupid?26
9141843443Chiasmusthe reversal in the order of words in two otherwise parallel phrases. Ex.) He went to the country, the country went to him.27
9141843444RebuttalIn the Toulon model, a rebuttal gives voice to possible objections.28
9141843445Fallacy of Argumenta flaw in the structure of an argument that renders its conclusion invalid or suspect.29
9141843446Bandwagon Appeala fallacy of argument in which a course of action is recommended on the grounds that everyone else is following it.30
9141843448Anecdotea brief story used to illustrate a point or claim.31
9141843449Modes of DiscourseExposition- illustrates a point Narration- tells a story Description- creates a sensory image Argumentation- takes a position on an issue and defends it.32
9141843450Examplea specific event, person, or detail of an idea cited and/or developed to support or illustrate a thesis or topic.33
9141843451Contrasta method of presenting differences between or among at least two persons, places, things, ideas, etc.34
9141843452Cause and Effectestablishes a relationship: B is the result of A.35
9141843453Classificationseparates items into major categories and details the characteristics of each group is placed within the category.36
9141843454Processsimply "how to" do something is done. It can have one of two purposes. It can either give instructions or inform the reader about how something is done.37
9141843456Narrationstorytelling; there is a beginning, a middle, and an end38
9141843457Descriptionwriting that appeals to the senses. It can be objective, which is scientific or clinical, or it can be impressionistic, which tries to involve the reader's emotions or feelings.39
9141843458Dogmatisma fallacy of argument in which a claim is supported on the grounds that it's the only conclusion acceptable within a given community.40
9141843459False Dilemma or Dichotomya fallacy of argument in which a complicated issue is misrepresented as offering only two possible alternatives, one of which is often made to seem vastly preferable to the other.41
9141843460False authoritya fallacy of argument in which a claim is based on the expertise of someone who lacks appropriate credentials.42
9141843461Faulty causalitya fallacy of argument making the unwarranted assumption that because one event follows another, the first event causes the second. Also called post hoc, ergo propter hoc, this forms the basis of many superstitions.43
9141843462Hasty generalizationa fallacy of argument in which an inference is drawn from insufficient data.44
9141843463Non sequitora fallacy of argument in which claims, reasons, or warrants fail to connect logically; one point doesn't follow from another.45
9141843464AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. A story in which each aspect of the story has a symbolic meaning outside the tale itself.46
9141843465AlliterationThe repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words (as in "she sells sea shells").47
9141843466AllusionAn indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art.48
9141843467AmbiguityThe multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.49
9141843468AnalogyA similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.50
9141843469AntecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.51
9141843470Antithesisthe opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite.52
9141843471AphorismA terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle. (If the authorship is unknown, the statement is generally considered to be a folk proverb.)53
9141843472ApostropheA prayer like figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. It is an address to someone or something that cannot answer.54
9141843473AtmosphereThe emotional nod created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting and partly by the author's choice of objects that are described.55
9141843474Caricaturean exaggeration or distortion, for comic effect, of a person's distinctive physical features or other characteristics.56
9141843475ClauseA grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb.57
9141843476Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.58
9141843477Literary ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects; displays intellectual cleverness through unusual comparisons that make good sense59
9141843478ConnotationThe non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning.60
9141843479DenotationThe strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.61
9141843480DictionRelated to style, diction refers to the writer's word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.62
9141843481DidacticFrom the Greek, didactic literally means "teaching."63
9141843482EuphemismFrom the Greek for "good speech," euphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept - POLITICALLY CORRECT64
9141843483Extended MetaphorA metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.65
9141843484Figurative LanguageWriting or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid66
9141843485Figure of speechA device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. Figures of speech include apotrophe hyperbole irony metaphor oxymoron paradox personification simile syneddoche understatement67
9141843486GenreThe major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama.68
9141843487HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.69
9141843488HyperboleA figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. (The literal Greek meaning is "overshoot.")70
9141843489ImageryThe sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.71
9141843490Inference/inferTo draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.72
9141843491Invectivean emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.73
9141843492Irony/ironicThe contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant, or the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true.74
9141843493Loose sentence/non-periodic sentenceA type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses.75
9141843494MetaphorA figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity.76
9141843495MetonymyA figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.77
9141843496MoodThe prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work.78
9141843497NarrativeThe telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.79
9141843498onomatopoeiaA figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words.80
9141843499OxymoronOxymoron is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.81
9141843500ParadoxA statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity.82
9141843501Parallelismthe use of successive verbal constructions in poetry or prose that correspond in grammatical structure, sound, meter, meaning, etc.83
9141843502ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.84
9141843503PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish (language that might be described as "show-offy"; using big words for the sake of using big words).85
9141843504Periodic sentenceThe opposite of loose sentence, a sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end.86
9141843505PersonificationA figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions.87
9141843506Point of viewIn literature, the perspective from which a story is told.88
9141843507Prosewritten or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure.89
9141843508RepetitionThe duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern.90
9141843509RhetoricFrom the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.91
9141843510SarcasmInvolves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something.92
9141843511SatireA work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule.93
9141843512Subordinate clauseLike all clauses, this word group contains both a subject and a verb (plus any accompanying phrases or modifiers), but unlike the independent clause, this clause cannot stand alone; it does not express a complete thought.94
9141843513SyllogismA deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises (the first one called "major" and the second called "minor") that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.95
9141843514Symbol/symbolismGenerally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else.96
9141843515SyntaxThe way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.97
9141843516ThemeThe central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life.98
9141843517ThesisThe sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position.99
9141843518ToneDescribes the author's attitude toward his material, the audience, or both.100
9141843519TransitionA word or phrase that links different ideas. Used especially, although not exclusively, in expository and argumentative writing, effectively signal a shift from one idea to another.101
9141843520Understatementthe ironic minimalizing of fact; presents something as less significant than it is.102
9141843521Witin modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights.103
9141843522Slippery SlopeThis is the failure to provide evidence to support a claim that one event will lead to a catastrophic chain of events.104
9141843523straw manWhen a writer argues against a claim that nobody actually holds or is universally considered weak.105
9141843524EthosAn appeal to credibility. The writer is seeking to convince you that he or she has the background, history, skills, and/or expertise to speak on the issue.106
9141843525JuxtapositionMaking on idea more dramatic by placing it next to its opposite.107
9141843526LogosAn appeal to reason.108
9141843527PathosAn appeal to emotion.109
9141843528Rhetorical QuestionA question whose answer is assumed.110
9141843529SimileA critical figure of speech in an argument when what is unknown is compared to something that is known using the word "like," "as," or "than" in order to better perceive its importance.111
9141843530rhetorical appealthe persuasive devices by which a writer tries to sway an audience's attention and response to any given work. See logos, ethos, and pathos.112
9141843532devicesThe figures of speech, syntax, diction, and other stylistic elements that collectively produce a particular artistic effect.113
9141843533narrative devicesThis term describes the tools of the storyteller (also used in nonfiction), such as ordering events so that they build to a climactic moment or withholding information until a crucial or appropriate moment when revealing it creates a desired effect. On the essay portion of the exam, this term may also apply to biographical and autobiographical writing.114
9141843534narrative techniquesThe style of telling the "story," even if the passage is nonfiction. Concentrate on the order of events and on their detail in evaluating a writer's technique.115
9141843535Ad hominem argumentAn argument attacking an individual's character rather than his or her position on an issue116
9141843536AnaphoraFigure of repetition that occurs when the first word or set of words in one sentence, clause, or phrase is/are repeated at or very near the beginning of successive sentences, clauses, or phrases; repetition of the initial words over successive phrases or clauses117
9141843537AnecdoteA brief story that illustrates or makes a point118
9141843538Appeal to authorityA fallacy in which a speaker or writer seeks to persuade not by giving evidence but by appealing to the respect people have for a famous person or institution.119
9141843539Argumentationone of the four forms of discourse which uses logic, ethics, and emotional appeals (logos, ethos, pathos) to develop an effective means to convince the reader to think or act in a certain way.120
9141843540AssonanceRepetition of a vowel sound within two or more words in close proximity121
9141843541AsyndetonA series of words separated by commas (with no conjunction).122
9141843542toneA speaker's, author's, or character's disposition toward or opinion of a subject.123
9141843543audienceOne's listener or readership; those to whom a speech or piece of writing is addressed.124
9141843544Balanced sentenceA sentence in which words, phrases, or clauses are set off against each other to emphasize a contrast125
9141843546understatement"I have to have this operation. It isn't very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain." Holden Caulfield, Catcher in the Rye126
9141843547parallelism"My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." John F. Kennedy127
9141843548allusionThe rise in poverty will unlock the Pandora's box of crimes.128
9141843549hyperbole"I'll love you, dear, I'll love you/Till China and Africa meet,/And the river jumps over the mountain"129
9141843550aphorism"Having nothing, nothing can he lose."130
9141843551metonymy"Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears." Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Act I131
9141843552invective"I cannot but conclude the bulk of your natives to be the most pernicious race of little odious vermin that nature ever suffered to crawl upon the surface of the earth." Jonathan Swift Gulliver's Travels132
9141843553antithesis"To err is human; to forgive divine." Alexander Pope "An Essay on Criticism"133
9141843554euphemism"I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs." William Shakespeare Othello134
9141843555periodic sentenceIn spite of heavy snow and cold temperatures, the game continued.135
9141843556paradox"Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it." -Gandhi136
9141843557alliteration"His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living and the dead."137
9141843558chiasmus"he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling"138
9141843559oxymoron"Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing. / Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, / That I shall say good night till it be morrow."139
9141843560personification"Pearl Button swung on the little gate in front of the House of Boxes. It was the early afternoon of a sunshiny day with little winds playing hide-and-seek in it."140
9141843561onomatopoeia"He saw nothing and heard nothing but he could feel his heart pounding and then he heard the clack on stone and the leaping, dropping clicks of a small rock falling."141
9141843562inverted syntax"Patience you must have, my young padawan."142
9141843563spatial description"In my pantry, coffee, tea powder, and sugar have been kept in the top shelf. Flour, canned food, and dry pasta are on the second shelf."143

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