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

AP Language Flashcards

For the MC!

Terms : Hide Images
9963375187EnglishEnglish0
9963375188adagea proverb or wise saying commonly used (ex: Things are not always as they seem.)1
9963375189allegorya story in which people, things and happenings have a hidden or symbolic meaning.(fables, parables, apologue have meanings on two or more levels.)2
9963375190alliterationwords used in quick succession and begin with letters belonging to the same sound group; a repetition of similar sounds/letters in the sentence. (Wicked witch of the west went her own way.)3
9963375191allusiona 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
9963375192ambiguitymultiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, passage or sentence; can lead reader toward uncertainty of meaning5
9963375193analogyestablishing a relationship based on similarities between two concepts or ideas; helps convey meaning of a new idea6
9963375194anaphorathe 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
9963375195anecdoteshort 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
9963375196antecedentword, phrase, or clause that is replaced by a pronoun9
9963375197antimetabolerepetition of words in reverse grammatical order; Ex: "Fair is foul and foul is fair."10
9963375198antithesisparallel 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
9963375199apostrophespeaker talks to someone or something that is obviously not present12
9963375200appositivea renaming of a noun or noun phrase immediately after first stating the noun13
9963375201archetypeA 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
9963375202argumenta statement put forth and supported by evidence15
9963375203asyndetonauthor 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
9963375204audiencethose to whom a piece of literary work is being presented17
9963375205cacophonyTremendous noise, disharmonious sound18
9963375206characterizationActions, dialogue, and narrative description that reveal a sense of a character's personality to the reader.19
9963375207circumlocutionan 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
9963375208climaxthat point in a plot that creates the greatest intensity, suspense, or interest. Also called "turning point"21
9963375209colloquialCharacteristic of ordinary conversation rather than formal speech or writing22
9963375210concessionAn argumentative strategy by which a speaker or writer acknowledges the validity of an opponent's point.23
9963375211conceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects; unusual and unlikely comparisons between two things24
9963375212connotationassociations people make with words that go beyond the literal or dictionary definition25
9963375213contextThe parts before or after a word or statement that influence its meaning26
9963375214counter argumentan argument or set of reasons put forward to oppose an idea or theory developed in another argument.27
9963375215cumulative sentencea sentence in which the main independent clause is elaborated by the successive addition of modifying clauses or phrases28
9963375216denotationDictionary definition of a word; literal meaning29
9963375217denouementan outcome or solution; the unraveling of a plot30
9963375218detailThe facts revealed by the author or speaker that support the attitude or tone in a piece of poetry or prose.31
9963375219dictionA writer's or speaker's choice of words32
9963375220elegya mournful, melancholy, or plaintive poem, especially a funeral song or a lament for the dead.33
9963375221ellipsisin a sentence, the omission of a word or words replaced by three periods ...34
9963375222epicA long narrative poem, written in heightened language, which recounts the deeds of a heroic character who embodies the values of a particular society35
9963375223ethosOne 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
9963375224euphemismFrom the Greek for "good speech," euphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept - POLITICALLY CORRECT37
9963375225expositionBackground information presented in a literary work.38
9963375226hyperboleA 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
9963375227imageryuse 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
9963375228imperative sentencesgives a command or request; often subject is understood and sentence ends with !41
9963375229inversionA sentence in which the verb precedes the subject.42
9963375230verbal ironySarcasm; what is said is the opposite of what is meant43
9963375231juxtapositionplacing an idea next to its opposite to emphasize contrast and comparison44
9963375232logosAn 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
9963375233metaphorA figurative comparison of two unlike things without using the word like or as46
9963375234metonymy(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
9963375235moodFeeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader; using specific diction, description, setting, and characterization to create the atmosphere48
9963375236motifA recurring theme, subject or idea49
9963375237narrativea fiction, nonfiction, poetic, or dramatic story, actual or fictional, expressed orally or in text.50
9963375238non sequiturA statement that does not follow logically from evidence51
9963375239occasionthe time and place a speech is given or a piece is written52
9963375240onomatopoeiaA figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words. Ex: buzz, hiss, hum, crack, whinny, and murmur.53
9963375241organizationIn a composition, the arrangement of ideas, incidents, evidence, or details in a perceptible order in a paragraph or essay.54
9963375242oxymoronA 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
9963375243paceSpeed with which the author delivers the story controlled by language, mood, emotion played out in speech, dialogue, descriptions.56
9963375244parableA simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson57
9963375245paradoxA statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.58
9963375246parallel 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
9963375247parodyA humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature or writing60
9963375248pathosAn 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
9963375249personaAn individual's characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting.62
9963375250personificationauthor presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions.63
9963375251point 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
9963375252polemica controversial argument, esp. attacking a particular opinion65
9963375253propagandaA negative term for writing designed to sway opinion rather than present information.66
9963375254prosewritten or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure.67
9963375255purposeOne's intention or objective in a speech or piece of writing.68
9963375256refutationThe part of an argument wherein a speaker or writer anticipates and counters opposing points of view.69
9963375257repetitionRepeated use of sounds, words, or ideas for effect and emphasis70
9963375258rhetoricFrom the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.71
9963375259rhetorical 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
9963375260rhetorical 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
9963375261rhetorical triangleA diagram that represents a rhetorical situation as the relationship among the speaker, the subject, and the audience ex:Aristotelian triangle74
9963375262satireA 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
9963375263simileA comparison of two things using like or as76
9963375264symbolismAn ordinary object with an extraordinary significance77
9963375265synecdocheA 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
9963375266syllogismA form of deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.79
9963375267syntaxLanguage rules that govern how words can be combined to form meaningful phrases and sentences80
9963375268thesisFocus statement of an essay; premise statement upon which the point of view or discussion in the essay is based.81
9963375269toneA writer's attitude toward his or her subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language, and organization on the sentence and global levels.82
9963375270transitionA word or phrase that links one idea to the next and carries the reader from sentence to sentence, paragraph to paragraph83
9963375271voiceIn 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

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!