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AP Language and Composition Vocab. Flashcards

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14927593033AllusionA reference to a famous event, place, person or work ("Don't act like a Romeo in front of her")0
14927593034ArgumentationWriting that takes a side of an issue and presents evidence and reasoning to persuade (when a teenager tells his parents all the logical reasons he should be allowed to use the car)1
14927593035DictionWriter's choice of words used (formal diction)2
14927593036Exposition / Expository writingExplains and interprets information with a discussion (this happened, then this happened, then this,)3
14927593037Figurative languageWriting that isn't meant to be taken literally (simile, metaphor)4
14927593038HyperboleAn exaggeration (a thousand years)5
14927593039ImageryLanguage that can be visually interpreted, and appeals to the 5 senses (The concert was so loud that her ears rang for days afterward)6
14927593040IronyWriting that implies the opposite of what is being said (A marriage counselor files for divorce)7
14927593041Metaphora comparison that doesn't use like or as (her ocean eyes)8
14927593042OxymoronUsing contradictory terms beside each other, a phrase (deafening silence)9
14927593043ParadoxA contradictory statement that could express the truth, a situation (can't get a job without experience, can't get experience without a job)10
14927593047Parallelismthe similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses (They danced, they sang, and they played)11
14927593044Parodyhumorous imitation (not another teen movie)12
14927593045Personificationgiving human qualities to non-human things (the trees were dancing)13
14927593046PerspectiveOne way of looking at an issue (point of view)14
14927593048RhetoricUsing language effectively to persuade (political speeches)15
14927593049SimileComparison using like or as (pretty like a rose)16
14927593050Stylea way of doing something (persuasive style, narrative style)17
14927593051Analogya comparison of two things, used to explain an idea (you are to me like rachel is to monica)18
14927593052Anecdotean amusing, short, real story (once I was walking and saw a dog)19
14927593053Ethosethical appeal, convinces audience of writer's credibility (As a doctor, I am qualified to tell you my diagnostic)20
14927593054Logoslogical appeal, convinces audience using logic and reasoning21
14927593055Pathosemotional appeal, convinces audience with argument drawn from an emotional reaction (cigarrette comercial)22
14927593056Colloquialismthe use of ordinary words, everyday speech ("speech allows for colloquialism and slang")23
14927593057Connotationan idea that a word makes one feel besides its literal meaning ("the word "discipline" has unhappy connotations of punishment and repression")24
14927593058Logical fallacyan error in reasoning that proves initial claim is false25
14927593059Sarcasmuse of irony to make fun of an idea (are you serious? I had no idea!)26
14927593060Satireridiculing someone humorously to critic their ideas, make a point (irony used to point out error)27
14927593061Tonethe attitude of a writer or speaker (serious, sad)28
14927593062Allegorya story with a hidden meaning or message (the 3 little pigs)29
14927593063Anaphorarepeating a phrase at the beginning of clauses for emphasis (I Have a Dream)30
14927593064Thesis/claima main idea meant to be proved (students need less homework to thrive in school)31
14927593065Clichéan overused idea that lacks originality (red roses on valentine's day)32
14927593066Genrea category in which artistic expressions are divided in (drama, poetry)33
14927593067Rhetorical questiona question asked to create dramatic effect instead of answered (is rain wet?)34
14927593068Syntaxthe way words are arranged to create well structured sentences (julius caesar)35
14927593069Alliterationthe same sound or letter repeated closely together at BEGINNING of words (sheep should sleep in a shed)36
14927593070Consonancea sentence sounding pleasant thanks to repetition of certain words/letters, repeated consonant sounds NOT AT BEGINNING of words (Sent and went)37
14927593071Denotationthe literal meaning of a word (yellow - color)38
14927593072Motifa dominant trait or theme in a work (death, darkness)39
14927593073Antithesisopposites expressed with antonym terms (hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins)40
14927593074Deductionreasoning from general to specific idea (All men or mortal. Socrates is a man. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.)41
14927593075Inductionreasoning from specific to general (I have seen four students at this school leave trash on the floor. The students in this school are disrespectful. Jamie got pizza for lunch.)42
14927593076Dialecta particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group (chapinismo)43
14927593077Didacticinstructive (parables, fables)44
14927593078InferenceA conclusion reached, based on evidence and reasoning (I infer she's a student because of her backpack)45
14927593079Elegya poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead (mourning poem)46
14927593080Jargonspecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand (The 9-to-5 - Business jargon meaning a standard workday)47
14927593081Prosethe ordinary form of written language (not a poem)48
14927593082Symbolismthe use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities (dove-peace color red-love, romance color black- bad, death, evil)49
15200725781Asonancerepeated vowel sounds NOT AT BEGINNING of words (look at the book)50

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