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AP Language Exam Terms Flashcards

Exam on the 16th

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9767425987Cumulative (Loose) Sentencebegins with a main clause that is followed by phrases and/or clauses that modify the main clause. These phrases or clauses add information to the main or independent clause.0
9767425988Periodic Sentencea sentence that, by leaving the completion of its main clause to the end, produces an effect of suspense.1
9767425989Litotes/Understatementa figure of speech in which a negative statement is used to affirm a positive statement.2
9767425990Warrantexpresses the assumption necessarily shared by the speaker and the audience.3
9767425991Ethosan appeal to ethics and it is a means of convincing someone of the character or credibility of the persuader.4
9767425992Pathosan appeal to emotion, and is a way of convincing an audience of an argument by creating an emotional response.5
9767425993Logosan appeal to logic, and is a way of persuading an audience by reason.6
9767425994Concessionan acknowledgement that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable.7
9767425995SyllogismA logical structure that uses the major premise and minor premise to reach a necessary conclusion.8
9767425996Major premisecontains the term that is the predicate of the conclusion.9
9767425997Minor premisecontains the term that is the subject of the conclusion.10
9767425998Inductiona logical process wherein you reason from particulars to universal, using specific cases in order to draw a conclusion, which is also called a generalization.11
9767425999Deductiona logical process wherein you reach a conclusion by starting with a general principle or universal truth (a major premise).12
9767426000Equivocationa fallacy of argument in which a lie is given the appearance of truth, or in which the truth is misrepresented in deceptive language.13
9767426001Refutationa denial of the validity of an opposing argument.14
9767426002Dictiona speaker's choice of words. Analysis of diction looks at these choices and what they add to the speaker's message.15
9767426003Similea figure of speech used to explain or clarify an idea by comparing it explicitly to something else, using words like, as, or as though.16
9767426004Metaphorfigure of speech that compares two unlike things without using like or as.17
9767426005Anaphorathe intentional repetition of beginning clauses in order to create an artistic effect.18
9767426006Rhetoricit is the art of finding ways of persuading an audience.19
9767426007Rhetorical Trianglespeaker-subject-audience20
9767426008Allusionbrief reference to a person, event, or place (real or fictitious) to to a work of art.21
9767426009Hyperboledeliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or to produce a comic or ironic effect; an overstatement to make a point.22
9767426010Personificationattribution of a lifelike quality to an inanimate object or an idea.23
9767426011Asyndetonomission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.24
9767426012Polysyndetonthe deliberate use of multiple conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses or words.25
9767426013Parallelismsimilarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses.26
9767426014Antithesisopposition, or contrast or ideas or words in a parallel construction.27
9767426015Enumerationto mention separately as if in counting; name one by one; specify, as in list28
9767426016Rhetorical QuestionFigure of speech in the form of a question posed for the rhetorical effect rather than for the purpose of getting an answer. Ex.) Are you stupid?29
9767426017Chiasmusthe reversal in the order of words in two otherwise parallel phrases. Ex.) He went to the country, the country went to him.30
9767426018RebuttalIn the Toulon model, a rebuttal gives voice to possible objections.31
9767426019Fallacy of Argumenta flaw in the structure of an argument that renders its conclusion invalid or suspect.32
9767426020Bandwagon Appeala fallacy of argument in which a course of action is recommended on the grounds that everyone else is following it.33
9767426021Begging the Questiona fallacy of argument in which a claim is based on the very grounds that are in doubt or dispute.34
9767426022Anecdotea brief story used to illustrate a point or claim.35
9767426023Modes of DisclosureExposition- illustrates a point Narration- tells a story Description- creates a sensory image Argumentation- takes a position on an issue and defends it.36
9767426024Examplea specific event, person, or detail of an idea cited and/or developed to support or illustrate a thesis or topic.37
9767426025Contrast/ Comparisona method of presenting similarities and differences between or among at least two persons, places, things, ideas, etc. may be organized by: Subject by subject Point by point Combination38
9767426026Cause and Effectestablishes a relationship: B is the result of A.39
9767426027Classificationseparates items into major categories and details the characteristics of each group is placed within the category.40
9767426028Processsimply "how to" do something is done. It can have one of two purposes. It can either give instructions or inform the reader about how something is done.41
9767426029Definitionidentifies the class to which a specific term belongs and those characteristics which make it different from all the other items in that class.42
9767426030Narrationis nothing more than storytelling. There is a beginning, a middle, and an end.43
9767426031Descriptionwriting that appeals to the senses. It can be objective, which is scientific or clinical, or it can be impressionistic, which tries to involve the reader's emotions or feelings.44
9767426032Dogmatism`a fallacy of argument in which a claim is supported on the grounds that it's the only conclusion acceptable within a given community.45
9767426033False Dilemma or Dichotomya fallacy of argument in which a complicated issue is misrepresented as offering only two possible alternatives, one of which is often made to seem vastly preferable to the other.46
9767426034False authoritya fallacy of argument in which a claim is based on the expertise of someone who lacks appropriate credentials.47
9767426035Faulty causalitya fallacy of argument making the unwarranted assumption that because one event follows another, the first event causes the second. Also called post hoc, ergo propter hoc, this forms the basis of many superstitions.48
9767426036Hasty generalizationa fallacy of argument in which an inference is drawn from insufficient data.49
9767426037Non sequitora fallacy of argument in which claims, reasons, or warrants fail to connect logically; one point doesn't follow from another.50
9767426056AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. A story in which each aspect of the story has a symbolic meaning outside the tale itself.51
9767426057AlliterationThe repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words (as in "she sells sea shells").52
9767426058AllusionA direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art.53
9767426059AmbiguityThe multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.54
9767426060AnalogyA similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.55
9767426061AntecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.56
9767426062Antithesisthe opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite.57
9767426063AphorismA terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle. (If the authorship is unknown, the statement is generally considered to be a folk proverb.)58
9767426064ApostropheA prayer like figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. It is an address to someone or something that cannot answer.59
9767426065AtmosphereThe emotional nod created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting and partly by the author's choice of objects that are described.60
9767426066Caricaturea verbal description, the purpose of which is to exaggerate or distort, for comic effect, a person's distinctive physical features or other characteristics.61
9767426067ClauseA grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb.62
9767426068Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.63
9767426069Literary ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects; displays intellectual cleverness through unusual comparisons that make good sense64
9767426070ConnotationThe non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning.65
9767426071DenotationThe strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.66
9767426072DictionRelated to style, diction refers to the writer's word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.67
9767426073DidacticFrom the Greek, didactic literally means "teaching."68
9767426074EuphemismFrom the Greek for "good speech," euphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept - POLITICALLY CORRECT69
9767426075Extended MetaphorA metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.70
9767426076Figurative LanguageWriting or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid71
9767426077Figure of speechA device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. Figures of speech include apotrophe hyperbole irony metaphor oxymoron paradox personification simile syneddoche understatement72
9767426078GenreThe major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama.73
9767426079HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.74
9767426080HyperboleA figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. (The literal Greek meaning is "overshoot.")75
9767426081ImageryThe sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.76
9767426082Inference/inferTo draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.77
9767426083Invectivean emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.78
9767426084Irony/ironicThe contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant, or the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true.79
9767426085Loose sentence/non-periodic sentenceA type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses.80
9767426086MetaphorA figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity.81
9767426087MetonymyA figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.82
9767426088MoodThe prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work.83
9767426089NarrativeThe telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.84
9767426090onomatopoeiaA figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words.85
9767426091OxymoronOxymoron is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.86
9767426092ParadoxA statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity.87
9767426093Parallelismthe use of successive verbal constructions in poetry or prose that correspond in grammatical structure, sound, meter, meaning, etc.88
9767426094ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.89
9767426095PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish (language that might be described as "show-offy"; using big words for the sake of using big words).90
9767426096Periodic sentenceThe opposite of loose sentence, a sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end.91
9767426097PersonificationA figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions.92
9767426098Point of viewIn literature, the perspective from which a story is told.93
9767426099Prosewritten or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure.94
9767426100RepetitionThe duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern.95
9767426101RhetoricFrom the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.96
9767426102SarcasmInvolves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something.97
9767426103SatireA work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule.98
9767426104Subordinate clauseLike all clauses, this word group contains both a subject and a verb (plus any accompanying phrases or modifiers), but unlike the independent clause, this clause cannot stand alone; it does not express a complete thought.99
9767426105SyllogismA deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises (the first one called "major" and the second called "minor") that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.100
9767426106Symbol/symbolismGenerally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else.101
9767426107SyntaxThe way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.102
9767426108ThemeThe central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life.103
9767426109ThesisThe sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position.104
9767426110ToneDescribes the author's attitude toward his material, the audience, or both.105
9767426111TransitionA word or phrase that links different ideas. Used especially, although not exclusively, in expository and argumentative writing, effectively signal a shift from one idea to another.106
9767426112Understatementthe ironic minimalizing of fact; presents something as less significant than it is.107
9767426113Witin modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights.108
9767426114Slippery SlopeThis is the failure to provide evidence to support a claim that one event will lead to a catastrophic chain of events.109
9767426115straw manWhen a writer argues against a claim that nobody actually holds or is universally considered weak.110
9767426116EthosAn 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.111
9767426117JuxtapositionMaking on idea more dramatic by placing it next to its opposite.112
9767426118LogosAn appeal to reason.113
9767426119PathosAn appeal to emotion.114
9767426120Rhetorical QuestionA question whose answer is assumed.115
9767426121SimileA critical figure of speech in an argument when what is unknown is compared to something that is known using the word "like," "as," or "than" in order to better perceive its importance.116
9767426122rhetorical appealthe persuasive devices by which a writer tries to sway an audience's attention and response to any given work. See logos, ethos, and pathos.117
9767426123descriptive detailWhen an essay uses this phrase, look for the writer's sensory description.118
9767426124devicesThe figures of speech, syntax, diction, and other stylistic elements that collectively produce a particular artistic effect.119
9767426125narrative devicesThis term describes the tools of the storyteller (also used in nonfiction), such as ordering events so that they build to a climactic moment or withholding information until a crucial or appropriate moment when revealing it creates a desired effect. On the essay portion of the exam, this term may also apply to biographical and autobiographical writing.120
9767426126narrative techniquesThe style of telling the "story," even if the passage is nonfiction. Concentrate on the order of events and on their detail in evaluating a writer's technique.121
9767426127Ad hominem argumentAn argument attacking an individual's character rather than his or her position on an issue122
9767426128AnaphoraFigure of repetition that occurs when the first word or set of words in one sentence, clause, or phrase is/are repeated at or very near the beginning of successive sentences, clauses, or phrases; repetition of the initial words over successive phrases or clauses123
9767426129AnecdoteA brief story that illustrates or makes a point124
9767426130Appeal to authorityA fallacy in which a speaker or writer seeks to persuade not by giving evidence but by appealing to the respect people have for a famous person or institution.125
9767426131Argumentationone of the four forms of discourse which uses logic, ethics, and emotional appeals (logos, ethos, pathos) to develop an effective means to convince the reader to think or act in a certain way.126
9767426132AssonanceRepetition of a vowel sound within two or more words in close proximity127
9767426133AsyndetonA series of words separated by commas (with no conjunction).128
9767426134toneA speaker's, author's, or character's disposition toward or opinion of a subject.129
9767426135audienceOne's listener or readership; those to whom a speech or piece of writing is addressed.130
9767426136Balanced sentenceA sentence in which words, phrases, or clauses are set off against each other to emphasize a contrast131
9767426137Begging the questionOften called circular reasoning, __ occurs when the believability of the evidence depends on the believability of the claim.132
9767426038understatement"I have to have this operation. It isn't very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain." Holden Caulfield, Catcher in the Rye133
9767426039parallelism"My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." John F. Kennedy134
9767426040allusionThe rise in poverty will unlock the Pandora's box of crimes.135
9767426041hyperbole"I'll love you, dear, I'll love you/Till China and Africa meet,/And the river jumps over the mountain"136
9767426042aphorism"Having nothing, nothing can he lose."137
9767426043metonymy"Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears." Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Act I138
9767426044invective"I cannot but conclude the bulk of your natives to be the most pernicious race of little odious vermin that nature ever suffered to crawl upon the surface of the earth." Jonathan Swift Gulliver's Travels139
9767426045antithesis"To err is human; to forgive divine." Alexander Pope "An Essay on Criticism"140
9767426046euphemism"I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs." William Shakespeare Othello141
9767426047periodic sentenceIn spite of heavy snow and cold temperatures, the game continued.142
9767426048paradox"Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it." -Gandhi143
9767426049alliteration"His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living and the dead."144
9767426050chiasmus"he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling"145
9767426051oxymoron"Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing. / Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, / That I shall say good night till it be morrow."146
9767426052personification"Pearl Button swung on the little gate in front of the House of Boxes. It was the early afternoon of a sunshiny day with little winds playing hide-and-seek in it."147
9767426053onomatopoeia"He saw nothing and heard nothing but he could feel his heart pounding and then he heard the clack on stone and the leaping, dropping clicks of a small rock falling."148
9767426054inverted syntax"Patience you must have, my young padawan."149
9767426055spatial description"In my pantry, coffee, tea powder, and sugar have been kept in the top shelf. Flour, canned food, and dry pasta are on the second shelf."150

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