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AP Language: essential terminology and concepts Flashcards

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10311078563EnglishEnglish0
10311078564adagea proverb or commonly used wise saying that escape the rhetorical malaise of cliche in their used context. (ex: Things are not always as they seem.)1
10311078565allegorya story in which people, things and happenings have a hidden or symbolic meaning. (fables, parables, apologue have meanings on two or more levels.) EX: 'The Crucible' by Arthur Miller is an allegory for the McCarthy Era and HUAC committee investigations; and Dr. Seuss's 'The Butter Battle Book' is an allegory on the 1950's Cold War idea of Mutually Assured Destruction2
10311078566alliterationwords used in quick succession and begin with letters belonging to the same sound group; a repetition of similar sounds or letters in the sentence. (Wicked witch of the west went her own way.)3
10311078567allusiona passing reference to a commonly-known historical, cultural, religious, literary, or mythical person, place, event, or work of art, whereby the reader must make the connection within the current text.4
10311078568ambiguitymultiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, passage or sentence which can lead reader (intentionally or unintentionally) toward uncertainty of meaning5
10311078569analogyestablishing a relationship based on similarities between two concepts or ideas; helps convey meaning of a new idea6
10311078570anaphorathe deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect; most commonly found in the Bible (O Lord,.for I am weak.O Lord, heal me. O Lord, have mercy on me.)7
10311078571anecdoteshort and interesting story or an amusing event often proposed to support or demonstrate some point and make readers and listeners laugh; Anecdotes can include an extensive range of tales and stories8
10311078572antecedentword, phrase, or clause that is replaced by a pronoun9
10311078573antimetabolerepetition of words in reverse grammatical order; Ex: "Fair is foul and foul is fair."10
10311078574antithesisparallel structures of the contrasted phrases or clauses, i.e. the structures of phrases and clauses are similar in order to draw the attention of the listeners or readers; Ex: "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."11
10311078575apostrophespeaker talks to someone or something that is obviously not present12
10311078576appositivea renaming of a noun or noun phrase immediately after first stating the noun13
10311078577archetypeA detail, image, or character type that occurs frequently in literature and myth and is thought to appeal in a universal way to the unconscious and to evoke a response14
10311078578argumenta statement put forth and supported by evidence15
10311078579asyndetonauthor purposely leaves out conjunctions in the sentence, while maintaining the grammatical accuracy of the phrase; shortening the statement for greater impact; "Reduce, reuse, recycle."16
10311078580audiencethose to whom a piece of literary work is being presented17
10311078581cacophonyTremendous noise, disharmonious sound created by the combination of certain words and phonemes.18
10311078582characterizationActions, dialogue, and narrative description that reveal a sense of a character's personality to the reader.19
10311078583circumlocutionan indirect or wordy way of expressing an idea which leaves the reader perplexed; exaggeratedly long and complex sentences in order to convey a meaning that could have otherwise been conveyed through a shorter, much simpler sentence20
10311078584climaxthat point in a plot that creates the greatest intensity, suspense, or interest. Also called "turning point"21
10311078585colloquialCharacteristic of ordinary conversation rather than formal speech or writing22
10311078586concessionAn argumentative strategy by which a speaker or writer acknowledges the validity of an opponent's point.23
10311078587conceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects; unusual and unlikely comparisons between two things24
10311078588connotationassociations people make with words that go beyond the literal or dictionary definition25
10311078589contextThe parts before or after a word or statement that influence its meaning26
10311078590counter argumentan argument or set of reasons put forward to oppose an idea or theory developed in another argument.27
10311078591cumulative sentencea sentence in which the main independent clause is elaborated by the successive addition of modifying clauses or phrases28
10311078592denotationDictionary definition of a word; literal meaning29
10311078593denouementan outcome or solution; the unraveling of a plot30
10311078594detailThe facts revealed by the author or speaker that support the attitude or tone in a piece of poetry or prose.31
10311078595dictionA writer's or speaker's choice of words32
10311078596elegya mournful, melancholy, or plaintive poem, especially a funeral song or a lament for the dead.33
10311078597ellipsisin a sentence, the omission of a word or words replaced by three periods ...34
10311078598epicA long narrative poem, written in heightened language, which recounts the deeds of a heroic character who embodies the values of a particular society35
10311078599ethosOne of the fundamental strategies of argumentation identified by Aristotle. Ethos is basically an appeal to credibility. The writer is seeking to convince you that he or she has the background, history, skills, and/or expertise to speak on the issue.36
10311078600euphemismFrom the Greek for "good speech," euphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept - POLITICALLY CORRECT37
10311078601expositionBackground information presented in a literary work.38
10311078602hyperboleA figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. (The literal Greek meaning is "overshoot.") Hyperboles often have a comic effect; however, a serious effect is also possible. Often, hyperbole produces irony.39
10311078603imageryuse of words and phrases to create "mental images" for the reader; helps the reader visualize more realistically the author's writings through the usage of metaphors, allusions, descriptive words and similes40
10311078604imperative sentencesgives a command or request; often subject is understood and sentence ends with !41
10311078605inversionA sentence in which the verb precedes the subject.42
10311078606verbal ironySarcasm; what is said is the opposite of what is meant43
10311078607juxtapositionplacing an idea next to its opposite to emphasize contrast and comparison44
10311078608logosAn appeal to reason. Logos is one of the fundamental strategies of argumentation identified by Aristotle. It occurs when a writer tries to convince you of the logic of his argument. writers may use inductive argumentation or deductive argumentation, but they clearly have examples and generally rational tome to their language. The problem with logos is that is can appear reasonable until you dissect the argument and then find fallacies that defeat the viability of the argument on the reader's eyes. Of course, that presupposes that the readers is able to identify the fallacies.45
10311078609metaphorA figurative comparison of two unlike things without using the word like or as46
10311078610metonymy(mĕtŏn′ ĭmē) A term from the Greek meaning "changed label" or "substitute name," metonymy is a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it. For example, a news release that claims "the White House declared" rather than "the President declared" is using metonymy; Shakespeare uses it to signify the male and female sexes in As You Like It: "doublet and hose ought to show itself courageous to petticoat." The substituted term generally carries a more potent emotional impact.47
10311078611moodFeeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader; using specific diction, description, setting, and characterization to create the atmosphere48
10311078612motifA recurring theme, subject or idea49
10311078613narrativea fiction, nonfiction, poetic, or dramatic story, actual or fictional, expressed orally or in text.50
10311078614non sequiturA statement that does not follow logically from evidence51
10311078615occasionthe time and place a speech is given or a piece is written52
10311078616onomatopoeiaA figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words. Ex: buzz, hiss, hum, crack, whinny, and murmur.53
10311078617organizationIn a composition, the arrangement of ideas, incidents, evidence, or details in a perceptible order in a paragraph or essay.54
10311078618oxymoronA figure of speech consisting of two apparently contradictory terms; The richest literary oxymora(paradoxes) seem to reveal a deeper truth through their contradictions. Ex: "without laws, we can have no freedom." Shakespeare's Julius Caesar also makes use of a famous oxymoron: "Cowards die many times before their deaths"55
10311078619paceSpeed with which the author delivers the story controlled by language, mood, emotion played out in speech, dialogue, descriptions.56
10311078620parableA simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson57
10311078621paradoxA statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.58
10311078622parallel structurerepetition of the same pattern of words or phrases within a sentence or passage to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance.59
10311078623parodyA humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature or writing60
10311078624pathosAn appeal to emotion. This is one of the fundamental strategies of argumentation identified by Aristotle. Typically, pathos arguments may use loaded words to make you feel guilty, lonely, worried, insecure, or confused.61
10311078625personaAn individual's characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting.62
10311078626personificationauthor presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions.63
10311078627point of viewPerspective from which a story is told; omniscient point of view= the person telling the story or narrator knows everything that's going on in the story; first- person point of view the narrator is a character in the story; limited third-person point of view the narrator is outside the story- like an omniscient narrator- but tells the story from the vantage point of one character."64
10311078628polemica controversial argument, esp. attacking a particular opinion65
10311078629propagandaA negative term for writing designed to sway opinion rather than present information.66
10311078630prosewritten or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure.67
10311078631purposeOne's intention or objective in a speech or piece of writing.68
10311078632refutationThe part of an argument wherein a speaker or writer anticipates and counters opposing points of view.69
10311078633repetitionRepeated use of sounds, words, or ideas for effect and emphasis70
10311078634rhetoricFrom the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.71
10311078635rhetorical appealsRhetorical techniques used to persuade an audience by emphasizing what they find most important or compelling. The three major appeals are to ethos (character), logos (reason), and pathos (emotion).72
10311078636rhetorical questionA question whose answer is assumed; a rhetorical question is designed to force the reader to respond in a predetermined manner and to propel an argument emotionally.73
10311078637rhetorical triangleA diagram that represents a rhetorical situation as the relationship among the speaker, the subject, and the audience ex:Aristotelian triangle74
10311078638satireA work that reveals a critical attitude toward some element of human behavior by portraying it in an extreme way. It doesn't simply abuse (as in invective) or get personal (as in sarcasm). It targets groups or large concepts rather than individuals.75
10311078639simileA comparison of two things using like or as76
10311078640symbolismAn ordinary object with an extraordinary significance77
10311078641synecdocheA figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole (as hand for sailor), the whole for a part (as the law for police officer), the specific for the general (as cutthroat for assassin), the general for the specific (as thief for pickpocket), or the material for the thing made from it (as steel for sword).78
10311078642syllogismA form of deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.79
10311078643syntaxLanguage rules that govern how words can be combined to form meaningful phrases and sentences80
10311078644thesisFocus statement of an essay; premise statement upon which the point of view or discussion in the essay is based.81
10311078645toneA writer's attitude toward his or her subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language, and organization on the sentence and global levels.82
10311078646transitionA word or phrase that links one idea to the next and carries the reader from sentence to sentence, paragraph to paragraph83
10311078647voiceIn grammar, a term for the relationship between a verb and a noun (active or passive voice). In rhetoric, a distinctive quality in the style and tone of writing.84

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