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AP Language and Composition Flashcards

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14792104723AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent and abstraction in addition to literal meaning.0
14792104724AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
14792104725AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
14792104726AphorismTerse statement of unknown authorship which expresses a general truth or moral3
14792104727ApostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love.4
14792104728Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
14792104729ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.6
14792104730EuphemismEuphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.7
14792104731Exempluman example or model, especially a moralizing or illustrative story8
14792104732HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.9
14792104733InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.10
14792104734Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.11
14792104735AnaphoraA sub-type of parallelism, when the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.12
14792104736PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish13
14792104737Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.14
14792104738SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another.15
14792104739SententiaBrief moral sayings, such as proverbs, adages, aphorisms, maxims, or apophthegms16
14792104740SyllogismFrom 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
14792104741SynecdocheA 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
14792104742SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.19
14792104743AnnotationExplanatory or critical notes added to a text.20
14792104744EpigramA brief witty statement.21
14792104745DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.22
14792104746Ellipsisthe omission of a word or several words necessary for a complete construction that is still understandable.23
14792104747Ad HominemDirected to or appealing to feelings or prejudices instead of to intellect or reason.24
14792104748AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.25
14792104749DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.26
14792104750FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.27
14792104751HubrisExcessive pride that often affects tone.28
14792104752Inductive ReasoningA method of reasoning in which a number of specific facts or examples are used to make a generalization.29
14792104753LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.30
14792104754MotifA phrase, idea, or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in an essay or other discourse.31
14792104755Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.32
14792104756AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.33
14792104757JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.34
14792104758DiatribeA forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.35
14792104759DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.36
14792104760PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.37
14792104761BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.38
14792104762VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.39
14792104763ZealousHaving or showing zeal.40
14792104764TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.41
14792104765InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.42
14792104766LanguidDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.43
14792104767ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.44
14792104768DyspepticOf or having indigestion or consequent irritability or depression.45
14792104769DoggerelComic verse composed in irregular rhythm.46
14792104770PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.47
14792104771InfidelA person who does not believe in religion or who adheres to a religion other than one's own.48
14792104772ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.49
14792104773CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.50
14792104774VexMake (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters.51

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