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AP Language Flashcards

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2861696677AbsoluteA word free from limitations and qualifications.(Ex: "best", "all", "unique")0
2861698812AdageA familiar word or wise saying1
2861702248Ad Hominem argumentAn argument attacking an individual's character rather than his or her position on an issue. (Ex: tumblr)2
2861714629AllegoryA literary work in which characters, objets, or actions, represent abstractions3
2861716685AlliterationThe repetition of initial sounds in successive or neighboring words4
2861721536Allusiona reference to something literary, mythological, or historical, that the author assumes the reader will recognize5
2861723626Analogya comparison of two different things that are similar in some way6
2861724843Anaphorathe repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of consecutive lines or sentences7
2861727996Anecdotea brief narrative that focuses on a particular incident or event8
2861736878Antecedentthe word, phrase, or clause, to which a pronoun refers9
2861738170Antithesisa statement in which two opposing ideas are balanced10
2861739482Aphorisma concise statement that expresses succinctly a general truth or idea, often using rhyme or balance11
2861741722Apostrohophea figure of speech in which one directly addresses an absent or imaginary person, or some other abstraction12
2861744967Archetypea 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 response.13
2861748707Argumenta statement of the meaning or main point of a literary work14
2861749972Asyndetona construction in which elements are presented in a series without conjunctions15
2861752348Balanced Sentencea sentence in which words, phrases, or clauses are set off against each other to emphasize a contrast16
2861754576Bathosinsincere or overly sentimental quality of writing/speech intended to evoke pity17
2861756850Chasmusa statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is structurally reverses (Ex: "Susan walked in, and out rushed Mary.")18
2861760736Clichéan expression that has been overused to the extent that it's freshness has worn off19
2861762917Climaxthe point of highest interest in a literary work. That point in a plot that creates the greatest intensity, suspense, or interest; usually the point at which the conflict is resolved. The culmination of a running theme or plot in a literary work.20
2861765997Colloquialisminformal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing21
2861767660Complex Sentencea sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause22
2861778128Compound Sentencea sentence with two or more coordinate independent clauses, often joined by one or more conjuctions23
2861782068Conceita fanciful, particularly clever, extended metaphor24
2861783460Concrete Detailsdetails that relate to or describe actual, specific, things or events25
2861785242Connotationthe implied or associative meaning of a word26
2861787503Cumulative Sentencea sentence in which the main independent clause is elaborated by the successive addition of modifying clauses or phrases27
2861791438Declarative Sentencea sentence that makes a statement or declaration28
2861793300Deductive Reasoningreasoning in which a conclusion is reached by stating a general principle and then applying that principle to a specific case (Ex: The sun rises every morning; therefore, the sun will rise on tuesday morning.)29
2861804458Denotationthe literal meaning of a word30
2861804473Dialecta variety of speech characterized by its own particular grammar or pronunciation, often associated with a particular geographical region31
2861807090Dialogueconversation between two or more people32
2861808375Dictionthe word choices made by a writer33
2861812313Didactichaving the primary purpose of teaching or instructing34
2861813344Dilemmaa situation that requires a person to decide between two equally attractive or equally unattractive alternatives35
2861815647Dissonanceharsh, inharmonious, or discordant, sounds36
2861816878Elegya formal poem presenting a meditation on death or another solemn theme37
2861817718Ellipsisthe omission of a word or phrase which is grammatically necessary but can be deduced from context (Ex: some people prefer cats; others, dogs.")38
2861820908Epica long narrative poem written in an elevated style which presents the adventures of characters of high position and episodes that are important to the history of a race or nation39
2861825255Epigrama brief, pithy, and often paradoxical, saying40
2861836072Epigrapha saying or statement on the title page of a work, or used as a heading for a chapter or other section of a work41
2861837826Epiphanya moment of sudden revelation or insight42
2861838585Epitaphan inscription on a tombstone or burial place43
2861840776Epithetan adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing mentioned.44
2861845408Eulogya formal speech praising a person who has died45
2861846233Euphemisman indirect, less offensive, way of saying something that is considered unpleasant (Ex: literally any comment that you make sound sexual. "something unpleasant". please.)46
2861851336Exclamatory Sentencea sentence expressing a strong feeling, usually punctuated with an exclamation mark47
2861856130Expletivean interjection to lend emphasis; sometimes a profanity48
2861856835Fablea brief story that leads to a moral, often using animals as characters49
2861861281Fantasya story that concerns an unreal world or contains unreal characters50
2861863478Figurative Languagelanguage employing one or more figures of speech (aka: simile, metaphor, imagery, etc.)51
2861870078Flashbackthe insertion of an earlier event into the normal chronological order of a narrative52
2861874154Flat Charactera character who embodies a single quality and who does not develop in the course of a story53
2861875327Foreshadowingthe presentation of a material in such a way that the reader is prepared for what is to come later in the work54
2861878067Frame Devicea story within a story (Ex: the Canterbury tales)55
2861880735Genrea major category or type of literature56
2861883623Homilya sermon, or a moralistic lecture57
2861884530Hubrisexcessive pride or arrogance (that usually results in the downfall of the protagonist of a tragedy)58
2861888760Hyperboleintentional exaggeration to create an effect59
2861890083Hypothetical Questiona question that raises a hypothesis, conjecture, or supposition60
2861891788Idioman expression in a given language that cannot be understood from the literal meaning of the words in the expression; or, a regional speech or dialect61

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