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

AP Language Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
8503761425Rhetoricthe art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially with the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques. (The very act of defending has itself been a central part of rhetoric).0
8503761426BombasticHigh sounding but with little meaning; inflated;grandiloquent.1
8503761427EthosAppeal based on the character of speaker. Meaning convincing someone of the character or credibility of the persuader (speaker).2
8503761428LogosAn appeal to logic or reason. For example scholarly documents.3
8503761429PathosAppeal on emotion. The quality that evokes pity or sadness.4
8503761430CapriciousImpulsive; unpredictable. Sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior.5
8503761431ToneWriter's attitude, mood or moral outlook toward the subject and/or the readers.6
8503761432Appealthe power of arousing a sympathetic response, to arouse a sympathetic response.7
8503761433ArgumentDiscourse intended to persuade; process of reasoning; exchange of diverging/ opposite views.8
8503761434Colloquialism (Colloquial)a word or phrase that is not formal or literary. It is still used in literature to provide a sense of actual conversation and the use of pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary of everyday speech.9
8503761435Connotationand idea or feeling that a word evokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning. Words imply or suggest qualities, attributes, and characteristics.10
8503761436Apathylack of interest, enthusiasm or concern. No emotion11
8503761437DialectA variety of language confined to a region or group, manner or means of expressing oneself.12
8503761438UnderstatementStatement which says less than is really meant. Opposite of hyperbole. Made smaller, worse, or less important than really is. Minimizing.13
8503761439HyperboleDeliberate and obvious exaggeration for effect.14
8503761440Anecdotea short and amusing or interesting story about a real person or incident.15
8503761441CondescendingHaving or feeling superior. patronizing or assuming superiority.16
8503761442VoiceAn authors distinctive literary style, basic vision and general attitude toward the world. Revealed through the use of Syntax, Diction, Punctuation, Characterization, and Dialogue.17
8503761443SyntaxSentence construction18
8503761444DictionAuthor's choice of words. Distinctive vocabulary.19
8503761445AssertionA confident and forceful statement of fact or belief. A declaration that's made em pathetically in an argument as it to be understood as a statement of fact.20
8503761446Cogent(of an argument or case) clear, logical, and convincing.21
8503761447Coherent(of an argument, theory, or policy) logical and consistent22
8503761448Cohesivecharacterized by or causing cohesion (act or state of being uniting, cohering, or sticking together).23
8503761449Didacticintended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive.24
8503761450Discoursewritten or spoken communication or debate. (verb) speak or write authoritatively about a topic.25
8503761451Eloquencefluent or persuasive speaking or writing.26
8503761452Fluidable to flow easily.27
8503761453implicationthe conclusion that can be drawn from something, although it is not explicitly stated.28
8503761454lucidexpressed clearly; easy to understand29
8503761455rhetora teacher of rhetoric30
8503761456Arbitera person who settles a dispute or has ultimate authority in a matter31
8503761457Biasedunfairly prejudiced for or against something or someone.32
8503761458Exculpateshow or declare that (someone) is not guilty of wrongdoing33
8503761459Impartialtreating all rivals or disputants equally; fair and just.34
8503761460Incontrovertiblenot able to be denied or disputed.35
8503761461Integritythe quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.36
8503761462Objectivitythe quality of being objective; justice; neutrality37
8503761463Plausible(of an argument or statement) seeming reasonable or probable.38
8503761464Substantiatedprovide evidence to support or prove that truth of.39
8503761465vindicatedclear (something) of blame or suspicion.40
8503761466CondescendingHaving or feeling superior. patronizing or assuming superiority.41
8503761467Contemptuousshowing contempt; scornful42
8503761468Despoticof, relating to, or characteristics of a despot (ruler with total power; usually unfair)43
8503761469Dictatorialof or typical of a ruler with total control44
8503761470Disdainthe feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect; contempt.45
8503761471Haughtyarrogantly superior and disdainful.46
8503761472Imperiousassuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering.47
8503761473Patronizingtreat with an apparent kindness that betrays a feeling of superiority.48
8503761474Listlesslacking energy or enthusiasm.49
8503761475Melancholya feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.50
8503761476Torpora state of physical or mental inactivity51
8503761477alliancea relationship based on an affinity in interests, nature, or qualities.52
8503761478disparitya great difference, imbalance.53
8503761479impingehave an affect or impact, especially a negative one. Influence.54
8503761480Paradoxa state or proposition that, despite reasoning, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, self-contradictory.55
8503761481allusionan expression to call something to mind without mentioning it exactly; an indirect or passing reference.56
8503761482parallelismthe act of being parallel or corresponding in some way.57
8503761483indolentwanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy.58
8503761484insipid.lacking flavor, vigor or interest.59
8503761485lamenta passionate expression or grief or sorrow.60
8503761486Sanctiona threatening penalty for disobeying a law or rule61
8503761487servilehaving or showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others.62
8503761488suppressedforcibly to an end to.63
8503761489Embellishmake (something) more attractive by the addition of decorative details or features.64
8503761490floridhaving a red or flushed complexion65
8503761491opulentostentatiously rich and luxurious or lavish66
8503761492ornatemade in an intricate shape or decorated with complex patterns.67
8503761493ostentatiouscharacterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice.68
8503761494poignantevoking a keen sense or sadness or regret.69
8503761495Ebulliencethe quality of being cheerful and full of energy; exuberance.70
8503761496effusiveexpressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.71
8503761497egregiousoutstandingly bad; shocking.72
8503761498freneticfast and energetic in a rather wild and uncontrolled way.73
8503761499gratuitousuncalled for; lacking good reason; unwarranted74
8503761500flagrant(of something considered wrong or immoral) conspicuously or obviously offensive75
8503761501superfluousunnecessary, especially through being more than enough.76
8503761502convolutedextremely complex and difficult to follow (especially or a story, sentence, or argument).77
8503761503cryptichaving a meaning that is mysterious or obscure78
8503761504Obscureuncertain; not discovered or know about.79
8503761505futileincapable of producing any useful result; pointless.80
8503761506impededelay or prevent by obstructing them; hinder.81
8503761507quandarya state of perplexity or uncertainty over what what to do in a difficult situation.82
8503761508alleviatemake (suffering or a problem) less severe.83
8503761509asylumthe protection granted by a nation to someone who has left their native country as a political refugee. ( or it can be a mental hospital).84
8503761510auspiciousconductive to success; favorable.85
8503761511benevolentwell meaning and kindly86
8503761512benigngentle, kindly.87
8503761513Mollifyappease the anger or anxiety of (someone)88
8503761514reclamationreclaiming; reformation, recovery. (or it can be land obtained from water)89
8503761515SanctionApproval or permission for an action90
8503761516DubiousNot to be relied upon; suspect (hesitating or doubting)91
8503761517Fabricatedinvent or concoct (something), typically with deceitful intent92
8503761518Hypocrisythe practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform; pretense93
8503761519Slandermake false and damaging statements about (someone).94
8503761520spuriousnot being what it purports to be; false or fake95
8503761521Astutehaving or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage96
8503761522clandestineoperation is an intelligence or millitary operation carried out in such a way that the operation goes unnoticed by the general population97
8503761523disingenuousnot candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does.98
8503761524rusean action intended to deceive someone; a trick99
8503761525stratagema plan or scheme, especially one used to outwit an opponent or achieve an end100
8503761526surreptitiouskept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.101
8503761527waryfeeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems102
8503761528wilyskilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully.103
8503761529inconsequentialnot important or significant104
8503761530superficialexisting or occurring at or on the surface. (appearing to be true or real only until examined more closely).105
8503761531tenuousvery weak or slight >( small in degree).106
8503761532trivialof little value or importance107
8503761533coupa sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.108
8503761534Ambiguous(of language) open to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning.109
8503761535ambivalenthaving mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.110
8503761536apatheticshowing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.111
8503761537Arbitrarybased on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.112
8503761538capriciousgiven to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior113
8503761539equivocateuse ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself.114
8503761540indifferenthaving no particular interest or sympathy; unconcerned.115
8503761541whimsicalplayfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way116
8503761542assiduousshowing great care and perseverance117
8503761543compellingevoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way118
8503761544diligenthaving or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties119
8503761545doggedhaving or showing tenacity and grim persistence.120
8503761546enduresuffer (something painful or difficult) patiently121
8503761547intrepidfearless; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect)122
8503761548maverickan unorthodox or independent-minded person123
8503761549obduratestubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action124
8503761550obstinatestubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so125
8503761551proliferateincrease rapidly in numbers; multiply126
8503761552tenacitythe quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly; grip.127
8503761553vitalitythe state of being strong and active; energy128
8503761554assimilationthe process by which a person or a group's language and/or culture come to resemble those of another group129
8503761555consensusgeneral agreement.130
8503761556contextthe set of facts or circumstances that surround a situation.131
8503761557derivedobtain something from (a specified source)132
8503761558incumbentnecessary for (someone) as a duty or responsibility.133
8503761559inevitablecertain to happen; unavoidable134
8503761560malleableeasily influenced; pliable135
8503761561subdueovercome, quieten, or bring under control (a feeling or person)136
8503761562Inoculatemedical : to give (a person or animal) a weakened form of a disease in order to prevent infection by the disease137
8503761563Lurid: causing shock or disgust : involving sex or violence in a way that is meant to be shocking : shining or glowing with a bright and unpleasant color138
8503761564Putrefyingto be slowly destroyed by natural processes : to rot and become putrid139
8503761565Somnolent1 : of a kind likely to induce sleep 2 a : inclined to or heavy with sleep : drowsy140
8503761566Dourserious and unfriendly : silent and gloomy141
8503761567Errantserious and unfriendly : silent and gloomy142
8503761568Bewildered1 : to cause to lose one's bearings 2 : to perplex or confuse especially by a complexity, variety, or multitude of objects or considerations143
8503761569Astroturfed—used for an artificial surface that resembles grass144
8503761570GeriatricAn old person y145
8503761571Tromped1 : tramp 1 2 : to step hard : stamp 146
8503761572Connoisseur: a person who knows a lot about something (such as art, wine, food, etc.) : an expert in a particular subject147
8503761573Attestingto show, prove, or state that something is true or real148
8503761574Soporific: causing a person to become tired and ready to fall asleep149

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!