AP Notes, Outlines, Study Guides, Vocabulary, Practice Exams and more!

AP Language Exam Review Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
9883391529Rhetorical triangleThe relationship between speaker, audience and subject0
9883391530Alliterationrepetition of the same sound beginning several words or syllables in sequence1
9883391531AllusionBrief reference to a person, event, or place (real or fictional) or to a work of art2
9883391532AnaphoraRepetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines.3
9883391533Antimetabole: Repetition of words in reverse order4
9883391534AntithesisOpposition, or contrast, of ideas or words in a parallel construction5
9883391535Archaic dictionold-fashion or outdated choices of words6
9883391536AsyndetonOmission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.7
9883391539Imperative sentenceSentence used to command or enjoin8
9883391540InversionInvert the order of words in a sentence (variation of the subject-verb-object order.)9
988339154112. JuxtapositionPlacement of two things closely together to emphasize similarities or differences.10
9883391542MetaphorFigure of speech that compares two things without using like or as11
9883391543OxymoronA paradox made up of two seeming contradictory words12
9883391544ParallelismSimilarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses.13
9883391545Periodic sentenceSentence whose main clause is withheld until the end.14
9883391546PersonificationAttributing of a lifelike quality to an inanimate object or an idea.15
9883391547Rhetorical questionFigure of speech in the form of a question posed for the rhetorical effect rather than for the purpose of getting an answer.16
9883391548SynecdocheFigure of speech that uses a part to represent the whole.17
9883391550ArgumentA single assertion or a series of assertions presented and defended by the writer.18
9883391551ClaimStates the author's argument, main idea, or position.19
9883391552Claim of factAsserts that something is true or not20
9883391553Claim of policyProposes a change21
9883391554Claim of valueAttempt to prove that some things are good or bad, right or wrong.22
9883391556IntroductionIntroduces the reader to the subject under discussion.23
9883391557Narrationprovides factual information and background material on the subject at hand or establishes why the subject is a problem that needs addressing.24
9883391558Confirmationusually the major part of the text, the confirmation includes the proof needed to make the writer's case.25
9883391559Refutationaddress the counter argument. It is a bridge between the writer proof needed to make the writers case.26
9883391560ConclusionBrings the essay to a satisfying close.27
9883391563First-hand evidenceevidence based on something the writer knows, whether it's from personal experience, observation, or general knowledge of events.28
9883391564Second-hand evidenceevidences that is accessed through research, reading, and investigation. It includes factual and historical information, expert opinions, and quantitative data.29
9883391565Quantitative evidenceevidence that includes things that can be measured, cited, counted, or otherwise represent in numbers—for instance, statistics, surveys, polls, census information.30
9883391566Rebuttalgives voice to possible objections.31
9883391567SyllogismA logical structure that uses the major premise and minor premise to reach a necessary conclusion.32
9883391568Stylethe unique way an author presents his ideas. Diction, syntax, imagery, structure, and content all contribute to a particular style.33
9883391569Dictiona speaker's choice of words.34
9883391570Ad hominemtactic of switching the argument from the issue at hand to the character of the other speaker.35
9883391571Ad populum (bandwagon)evidence boils down to "everybody's doing it so it must be a good thing to do."36
9883391572Appeal to false authoritysomeone who has no expertise to speak in an issues is cited as an authority.37
9883391573Begging the questiona claim is based on evidence or support that is in doubt. It 'begs" a question whether the support itself is sound.38
9883391574Circular reasoningwhich the argument repeats the claim as a way to provide evidence.39
9883391575Either/or (false dilemma)the speaker presents two extreme options as the only possible choice.40
9883391576Logical fallacypotential vulnerabilities or weaknesses in an argument. They often arise from a failure to make a logical connection between the claim and the evidence used to support it.41
9883391577Post hoc ergo propter hocit is incorrect to always claim that something happened is a cause just because it happened earlier.42
9883391578Strawmanwhen a speaker chooses a deliberately poor or oversimplified example in order to ridicule and refute an idea.43
9883391579Cacophonyharsh and discordant sounds in a line or passage in a literary work.44
9883391580Colloquialthe use of slang in writing, often to create local color and to provide an informal tone.45
9883391581Euphemisma more acceptable and usually more pleasant way if saying something that might be inappropriate or uncomfortable.46
9883391582Euphonythe pleasant, mellifluous presentation of sound in literary work.47
9883391583Invectivea verbally abusive attack.48
9883391584Motifrepetition of an image or idea in a work used to develop theme or characters.49
9883391585Parodycomic imitation of a work that ridicules the original. It can be utterly mocking or gently humorous.50
9883391586Reductio ad absurdumtechnique useful in creating a comical effect and is also an argument technique.51
9883391587Syntaxthe grammatical structure of prose and poetry.52
9883391588Understatementopposite of an exaggeration. It is a technique for developing irony and/or humor where one writes or says less than intended.53
9883391589Metonymyfigure of speech in which a representative term is used for a larger idea.54
9883391590Bittercaused by or expressive of severe pain, grief, or regret55
9883391591Sardonicdisdainfully or skeptically humorous : derisively mocking56
9883391592Sarcasticgiven to the use of sarcasm57
9883391593Ironicrelating to, containing, or constituting irony58
9883391594Mockingto treat with contempt or ridicule59
9883391595Scornfulto be full of scorn60
9883391596Satiricof, relating to, or constituting satire61
9883391597Objectiveexpressing or dealing with facts or conditions as perceived without distortion by personal feelings, prejudices, or interpretations62
9883391598Naïvemarked by unaffected simplicity63
9883391599Joyousto be or feel joyful64
9883391600Spiritualof, relating to, consisting of, or affecting the spirit65
9883391601Wishfulexpressive of a wish66
9883391602Nostalgica wistful or excessively sentimental yearning for return to or of some past period or irrecoverable condition67
9883391603Idyllicpleasing or picturesque in natural simplicity68
9883391604Compassionatehaving or showing compassion69
9883391605Reverentexpressing or characterized by reverence70
9883391606Lugubriousto be mournful71
9883391607Elegiacwritten in or consisting of elegiac couplets72
9883391608Gothicof or relating to a style of fiction characterized by the use of desolate or remote settings and macabre, mysterious, or violent incidents73
9883391609Macabredwelling on the gruesome74
9883391610Vituperativeuttering or given to censure75
9883391611Scathingbitterly severe76
9883391612Confidentialmarked by intimacy or willingness to confide77
9883391613Facetiousjoking or jesting often inappropriately78
9883391614Criticalinclined to criticize severely and unfavorably79
9883391615Resignedto give up deliberately80
9883391616Astonishedfeeling or showing great surprise or wonder81
9883391617Mock-seriousof a pretended serious look or act82
9883391618Pedanticnarrowly, stodgily, and often ostentatiously learned; dull83
9883391619Didacticdesigned or intended to teach84
9883391620Remorsefulmotivated or marked by remorse85
9883391621Disdainfulfull of or expressing contempt for someone or something regarded as unworthy or inferior86
9883391622Laudatoryof, relating to, or expressing praise87
9883391623Mystifiedto perplex the mind of88
9883391624Reflectivemarked by reflection89
9883391625Maudlindrunk enough to be emotionally silly90
9883391626Sentimentalmarked or governed by feeling, sensibility, or emotional idealism91
9883391627Patrioticbefitting or characteristic of a patriot92
9883391628Jingoisticextreme chauvinism or nationalism marked especially by a belligerent foreign policy93
9883391629Detachedexhibiting an aloof objectivity usually free from prejudice or self-interest94
9883391630Indignantmarked by anger aroused by injustice95
9883391631Intimatevery familiar96
9883391632Judgmentalauthoritative and often having critical opinions97
9883391633Jovialhappy98
9883391634Lyricalexpressing a poet's inner feelings; emotional; full of images; song-like99
9883391635Matter-of-factaccepting of conditions; not fanciful or emotional100
9883391636Morosegloomy, sullen, surly, despondent101
9883391637Maliciouspurposely hurtful102
9883391638Optimistichopeful, cheerful103
9883391639Obsequiouspolite and obedient in order to gain something104
9883391640Causticintense use of sarcasm; stinging, biting105
9883391641Conventionallacking spontaneity, originality, individuality106
9883391642Disdainfulscornful107
9883391643Derisiveridiculing, mocking108
9883391644Earnestintense, a sincere state of mind109
9883391645Eruditelearned, polished, scholarly110
9883391646Fancifulusing the imagination111
9883391647Forthrightdirectly frank without hesitation112
9883391648Gloomydarkness, sadness, rejection113
9883391649Haughtyproud and vain to the point of arrogance114
9883391650AccusatoryCharging of wrong doing115
9883391651ApatheticIndifferent due to lack of energy or concern116
9883391652AweSolemn wonder117
9883391653CynicalQuestions the basic sincerity and goodness of people118
9883391654Condescension; condescendinga feeling of superiority119
9883391655Callousunfeeling, insensitive to feelings of others120
9883391656Contemplativestudying, thinking, reflecting on an issue121
9883391657Criticalfinding fault122
9883391658CholericHot-tempered, easily angered123
9883391659Contemptuousshowing or feeling that something is worthless or lacks respect124

Need Help?

We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.

If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.

Need Notes?

While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!