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AP Language and Composition Rhetorical Terms Flashcards

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7508786230Allegorythe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning0
7508786231Alliterationthe repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words (as in "she sells sea shells"1
7508786232Allusiona direct or indirect reference to something which is presumable commonly known, such as an even, book, myth, place or work of art2
7508786233Ambiguitythe multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word or phrase, sentence or passage3
7508786234Analogya similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them4
7508786235Antecedentthe word, phrase or clause referred to by a pronoun5
7508786236Aphorisma terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or moral principle6
7508786237Apostrophea figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction, such as liberty or love7
7508786238Clausea grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb8
7508786239Colloquialthe use or slang or informalities in speech or writing9
7508786240Concieta fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between two seemingly dissimilar objects10
7508786241Connotationthe non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning11
7508786242Denotationthe strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude or color12
7508786243Dictionrelated to style, it refers to the writer's word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness or effectiveness13
7508786244Didacticfrom the Greek, didatic literally means "teaching" they have the primary aim of teaching or instruction, especially the teaching or moral or ethical principles14
7508786245Euphemismfrom the Greek for "good speech", it is more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept15
7508786246Extended metaphora metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work16
7508786247Figurative languagewriting or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid17
7508786248Figure of speecha device used to produce figurative language18
7508786249Generic conventionsdescribes tradition for each genre19
7508786250Genrethe major category into which a literary work fits20
7508786251Homilyliterally means "sermon", but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice21
7508786252Hyperbolea figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement22
7508786253Imagerythe sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion or represent abstractions23
7508786254Inferenceto draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented24
7508786255Invectivean emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language25
7508786256Ironythe contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant, or the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true26
7508786257Loose sentencea type of sentence in which the main idea comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses27
7508786258Metaphora figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity28
7508786259Metonymya term from the Greek meaning "changed label" or "substitute name", it is a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it29
7508786260Moodthe prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work30
7508786261Narrativethe telling of a story or an account of an event of series of events31
7508786262Onomatopoeiaa figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words32
7508786263Oxymoronfrom the Greek for "pointedly foolish", it is a figure of speech where in the author apparently uses contradictory terms to suggest a paradox33
7508786264Paradoxa statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity34
7508786265Parallelismcomes from Greek roots meaning "beside one another"; it refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing or words, phrases, sentences or paragraphs to give structural similarity35
7508786266Parodya work the closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comedic effect and/ or ridicule36
7508786267Pedantican adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic or bookish37
7508786268Periodic sentencethe opposite of a loose sentence, a sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end38
7508786269Personificationa figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions39
7508786270Point of viewin literature, the perspective from which a story is told40
7508786271Proseone of the major divisions of genre, it refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms41
7508786272Repetitionthe duplication, either exact or approximate, of any language such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence or grammatical pattern42
7508786273Rhetoricfrom Greek for "orator", this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently and persuasively43
7508786274Rhetorical modesdescribes the variety, the conventions and the purposes of the major kinds of writing; exposition, argumentation, description, narration44
7508786275Sarcasmfrom Greek meaning "to tear flesh"; it involves bitter caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something45
7508786276Satirea work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule46
7508786277Semanticthe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of works, their historical and psychological development, their connotations and their relation to one another47
7508786278Style- an evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language and other literary devices - classification of authors to a group and comparison of an other to a similar author48
7508786279SyllogismGreek for "reckoning together" and is a deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises (major and minor) that lead to sound conclusion49
7508786280Symbolanything that represents itself and stands for something else50
7508786281Syntaxthe way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses and sentences51
7508786282Themethe central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life52
7508786283Thesisthe sentence or group of sentences that directly express the author's opinion, purpose meaning or position53
7508786284Tonesimilar to mood, it describes the author's attitude towards his material, the audience or both54
7508786285Transitiona word or phrase that links different ideas55
7508786286Understatementthe ironic minimalizing fact, understatement presents something as less significant as it is56
7508786287Witintellectually amusing language that surprises and delights57

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