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AP Language and Composition Flashcards

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10319697205abstractrefers to a language that describes concepts rather than concrete images0
10319697206allegorya work that functions on a symbolic level1
10319697207ad hominemAn attack on the person rather than on the opponent's ideas. it comes from the Latin meaning "against the man"2
10319697208alliterationthe repetition of initial consonant sounds such as "peter piper picked a peck of pickled peppers"3
10319697209allusiona reference contained in a work.4
10319697210analogyComparison of 2 different items5
10319697211analysisthe process of taking apart a text by dividing it into its basic components for the purpose of examining how the author develops his /her subject.6
10319697212anecdotea story of a brief episode told by the writer or a character to illustrate a point7
10319697213annotateto make a personal note on a text in order to get a better understanding of the material. These notes can include questions, an argument with the author, acknowledging a good point, a clarification of an idea.8
10319697214antecedentThe word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers. The exam often expects you to identify this in a passage.9
10319697215argumenta single assertion or a series of assertions presented and defended by the writer.10
10319697216attitudethe relationship an author has toward his or her subject and/or his or her audience11
10319697217cacophonyharsh and discordant sounds in a line or passage in a literary work.12
10319697218antithesisthe presentation of 2 contrasting images.13
10319697219characterThose who carry out the action of the plot in literature. Major, minor, static, and dynamic are types.14
10319697220colloquialthe use of slang in writing, often to create local color and to provide an informal tone15
10319697221comic reliefthe inclusion of a humorous character or scene to contrast with the tragic elements of a work, thereby intensifying the next tragic event16
10319697222conflicta clash between opposing forces in a literary work, such as man vs. man; man vs. nature; man vs. god; man vs. self17
10319697223connotationthe interpretive level of a word based on its associated images rather than its literal meaning18
10319697224deductionthe process of moving from a general rule to a specific rule19
10319697225denotationthe literal or dictionary meaning of a word20
10319697226dialectthe re-creation of regional spoken language, such as a southern.21
10319697227dictionthe author's choice of words that creates tone, attitude and style, as well as meaning22
10319697228didacticWriting whose purpose is to instruct or to teach. Usually formal and focuses on moral or ethical concerns23
10319697229discoursea discussion on a specific topic24
10319697230ellipsis(...) indicates that material has been omitted from a given text. A word, phrase, sentence, paragraph, or a whole section can be omitted.25
10319697231epigraphthe use of a quotation at the beginning of a work that hints at its theme26
10319697232euphemisma more acceptable and usually more pleasant way of saying something that might be inappropriate or uncomfortable27
10319697233euphonythe pleasant, mellifluous presentation of sounds in a literary works28
10319697234expositionbackground information presented in a literary work29
10319697235extended metaphora sustained comparison, often referred to as a conceit. It is developed throughout a piece of writing30
10319697236figurative languagethe body of devices that enables the writer to operate on levels other than the literal one. It includes metaphor, simile, symbol, motif, and hyperbole, etc.31
10319697237flashbacka device the enables a writer to refer to past thoughts, events, or episodes32
10319697238formthe shape or structure of a literary work33
10319697239hyperboleextreme exaggeration, often humorous, it can also be ironic; the opposite of understatement34
10319697240imagea verbal approximation of a sensory impression, concept, or emotion.35
10319697241imagerythe total effect of related sensory images in a work of literature.36
10319697242inferencea conclusion one can draw from the present details37
10319697243invectivea verbally abusive attack38
10319697244ironyan unexpected twist or contrast between what happens and what was intended or expected to happen. It involves dialogue and situation and can be intentional or unplanned. Dramatic irony centers around the ignorance of those involved, whereas the audience is aware of the circumstance39
10319697245logicthe process of reasoning40
10319697246logical fallacya mistake in reasoning41
10319697247metaphora direct comparison between dissimilar things42
10319697248metonymya figure of speech in which a representative term is used for a larger idea43
10319697249monloguea speech given by one character44
10319697250motifthe repetition or variations of an image or idea in a work used to develop theme or characters45
10319697251narratorthe speaker of the literary work46
10319697252onomatopoeiawords that sound like the sound they represent47
10319697253oxymoronTwo contradictory words together in one phrase or word.48
10319697254pacingthe movement of a literary piece from one point or one section to another49
10319697255parablea story that operates on more than one level and usually teaches a moral lesson50
10319697256parodya comic imitation of a work that ridicules the original. It can be utterly mocking or gently humorous.It depends on the allusion and exaggerates and distorts the original style and content.51
10319697257pathosthe aspects of a literary work that elicit pity from the audience. An appeal to emotion that can be used as a means to persuade.52
10319697258pedantica term used to describe writing that borders on lecturing. It is scholarly and academic and often overly difficult and distant53
10319697259periodic sentencepresents its main clause at the end of the sentence for emphasis and sentence variety. Phrases and/or dependent clauses precede the main clause54
10319697260personificationthe assigning of human qualities to inanimate objects or concepts55
10319697261persuasiona type of argument that has as its goal an action on the part of the audience56
10319697262plota sequence of events in a literary work57
10319697263point of viewA method of narration in a literary work58
10319697264puna play on words that often has a comic effect. Associated with cleverness and wit59
10319697265reductio ad absurdumthe Latin for "to reduce the absurd." It is considered a rhetorical fallacy, because it reduces an argument to an either /or choice60
10319697266rhetoricRefers to the entire process of written communication. These strategies and devices enable a writer to present ideas to an audience effectively61
10319697267rhetorical questionone that does not expect an explicit answer62
10319697268sarcasma comic technique that ridicules through caustic language. Tone and attitude may both be described as sarcastic in a given text if the writer employs language, irony, and wit to mock or scorn63
10319697269Satirea mode of writing based on ridicule, that criticizes the foibles and follies of society without necessarily offering a solution.64
10319697270SettingThe time and place of a literary work.65
10319697271Similean indirect comparison that uses the word like or as to link the differing items in the comparison. ("Your eyes are like stars.")66
10319697272Stage Directionsthe specific instructions a playwright includes concerning sets, characterization, delivery, etc.67
10319697273Stanzaa unit of a poem, similar in rhyme, meter, and length to other units in the poem.68
10319697274Structurethe organization and form of a work.69
10319697275StyleThe unique way an author presents his ideas. Diction, syntax, imagery, structure, and content all contribute to this.70
10319697276Summaryreducing the original text to its essential parts.71
10319697277Syllogismthe format of a formal argument that consists of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.72
10319697278Symbolsomething in a literary work that stands for something else.73
10319697279Synecdochea figure of speech that utilizes a part as representative of the whole. ("All hands on deck")74
10319697280Syntaxthe grammatical structure of prose and poetry.75
10319697281Synthesislocating a number of sources and integrating them into the development and support of a writer's thesis/claim.76
10319697282Themethe underlying ideas the author illustrates through characterization, motifs, language, plot, etc.77
10319697283ThesisThe main idea of a piece of writing. It presents the author's assertion or claim.78
10319697284Tonethe author's attitude toward his subject.79
10319697285Transitiona word or phrase that links one idea to the next and carries the reader from sentence to sentence, paragraph to paragraph.80
10319697286Understatementthe opposite of exaggeration. It is a technique for developing irony and/or humor where one writes or says less than intended.81
10319697287Voicecan refer to two different areas of writing. The first refers to the relationship between a sentence's subject and verb (active vs passive). The second refers to the total "sound" of a writer's style.82

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