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AP Language and Composition Flashcards

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14705522652AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent and abstraction in addition to literal meaning.0
14705522653AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
14705522654AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
14705522655AphorismTerse statement of unknown authorship which expresses a general truth or moral3
14705522656ApostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love.4
14705522657Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
14705522658ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.6
14705522659EuphemismEuphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.7
14705522660Exempluman example or model, especially a moralizing or illustrative story8
14705522661HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.9
14705522662InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.10
14705522663Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.11
14705522664AnaphoraA sub-type of parallelism, when the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.12
14705522665PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish13
14705522666Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.14
14705522667SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another.15
14705522668SententiaBrief moral sayings, such as proverbs, adages, aphorisms, maxims, or apophthegms16
14705522669SyllogismFrom the Greek for "reckoning together," a syllogism is a deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.17
14705522670SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole or, occasionally, the whole is used to represent a part.18
14705522671SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.19
14705522672AnnotationExplanatory or critical notes added to a text.20
14705522673EpigramA brief witty statement.21
14705522674DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.22
14705522675Ellipsisthe omission of a word or several words necessary for a complete construction that is still understandable.23
14705522676Ad HominemDirected to or appealing to feelings or prejudices instead of to intellect or reason.24
14705522677AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.25
14705522678DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.26
14705522679FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.27
14705522680HubrisExcessive pride that often affects tone.28
14705522681Inductive ReasoningA method of reasoning in which a number of specific facts or examples are used to make a generalization.29
14705522682LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.30
14705522683MotifA phrase, idea, or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in an essay or other discourse.31
14705522684Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.32
14705522685AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.33
14705522686JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.34
14705522687DiatribeA forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.35
14705522688DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.36
14705522689PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.37
14705522690BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.38
14705522691VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.39
14705522692ZealousHaving or showing zeal.40
14705522693TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.41
14705522694InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.42
14705522695LanguidDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.43
14705522696ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.44
14705522697DyspepticOf or having indigestion or consequent irritability or depression.45
14705522698DoggerelComic verse composed in irregular rhythm.46
14705522699PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.47
14705522700InfidelA person who does not believe in religion or who adheres to a religion other than one's own.48
14705522701ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.49
14705522702CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.50
14705522703VexMake (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters.51

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