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AP Language Literary Terms Flashcards

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9781631398Cumulative (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
9781631399Periodic Sentencea sentence that, by leaving the completion of its main clause to the end, produces an effect of suspense.1
9781631400Litotes/Understatementa figure of speech in which a negative statement is used to affirm a positive statement.2
9781631401Warrantexpresses the assumption necessarily shared by the speaker and the audience.3
9781631402Ethosan appeal to ethics and it is a means of convincing someone of the character or credibility of the persuader.4
9781631403Pathosan appeal to emotion, and is a way of convincing an audience of an argument by creating an emotional response.5
9781631404Logosan appeal to logic, and is a way of persuading an audience by reason.6
9781631405Concessionan acknowledgement that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable.7
9781631406SyllogismA logical structure that uses the major premise and minor premise to reach a necessary conclusion.8
9781631407Major premisecontains the term that is the predicate of the conclusion.9
9781631408Minor premisecontains the term that is the subject of the conclusion.10
9781631409Inductiona 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
9781631410Deductiona logical process wherein you reach a conclusion by starting with a general principle or universal truth (a major premise).12
9781631411Equivocationa fallacy of argument in which a lie is given the appearance of truth, or in which the truth is misrepresented in deceptive language.13
9781631412Refutationa denial of the validity of an opposing argument.14
9781631413Dictiona speaker's choice of words. Analysis of diction looks at these choices and what they add to the speaker's message.15
9781631414Similea 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
9781631415Metaphorfigure of speech that compares two unlike things without using like or as.17
9781631416Anaphorathe intentional repetition of beginning clauses in order to create an artistic effect.18
9781631417Rhetoricit is the art of finding ways of persuading an audience.19
9781631418Rhetorical Trianglespeaker-subject-audience20
9781631419Allusionbrief reference to a person, event, or place (real or fictitious) to to a work of art.21
9781631420Hyperboledeliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or to produce a comic or ironic effect; an overstatement to make a point.22
9781631421Personificationattribution of a lifelike quality to an inanimate object or an idea.23
9781631422Asyndetonomission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.24
9781631423Polysyndetonthe deliberate use of multiple conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses or words.25
9781631424Parallelismsimilarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses.26
9781631425Antithesisopposition, or contrast or ideas or words in a parallel construction.27
9781631426Enumerationto mention separately as if in counting; name one by one; specify, as in list28
9781631427Rhetorical 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
9781631428Chiasmusthe reversal in the order of words in two otherwise parallel phrases. Ex.) He went to the country, the country went to him.30
9781631429RebuttalIn the Toulon model, a rebuttal gives voice to possible objections.31
9781631430Fallacy of Argumenta flaw in the structure of an argument that renders its conclusion invalid or suspect.32
9781631431Bandwagon Appeala fallacy of argument in which a course of action is recommended on the grounds that everyone else is following it.33
9781631432Begging the Questiona fallacy of argument in which a claim is based on the very grounds that are in doubt or dispute.34
9781631433Anecdotea brief story used to illustrate a point or claim.35
9781631434Modes 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
9781631435Examplea specific event, person, or detail of an idea cited and/or developed to support or illustrate a thesis or topic.37
9781631436Contrast/ 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
9781631437Cause and Effectestablishes a relationship: B is the result of A.39
9781631438Classificationseparates items into major categories and details the characteristics of each group is placed within the category.40
9781631439Processsimply "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
9781631440Definitionidentifies the class to which a specific term belongs and those characteristics which make it different from all the other items in that class.42
9781631441Narrationis nothing more than storytelling. There is a beginning, a middle, and an end.43
9781631442Descriptionwriting 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
9781631443Dogmatism`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
9781631444False 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
9781631445False authoritya fallacy of argument in which a claim is based on the expertise of someone who lacks appropriate credentials.47
9781631446Faulty 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
9781631447Hasty generalizationa fallacy of argument in which an inference is drawn from insufficient data.49
9781631448Non sequitora fallacy of argument in which claims, reasons, or warrants fail to connect logically; one point doesn't follow from another.50
9781631467AllegoryThe 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
9781631468AlliterationThe repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words (as in "she sells sea shells").52
9781631469AllusionA direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art.53
9781631470AmbiguityThe multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.54
9781631471AnalogyA similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.55
9781631472AntecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.56
9781631473Antithesisthe opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite.57
9781631474AphorismA 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
9781631475ApostropheA 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
9781631476AtmosphereThe 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
9781631477Caricaturea verbal description, the purpose of which is to exaggerate or distort, for comic effect, a person's distinctive physical features or other characteristics.61
9781631478ClauseA grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb.62
9781631479Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.63
9781631480Literary 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
9781631481ConnotationThe non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning.65
9781631482DenotationThe strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.66
9781631483DictionRelated to style, diction refers to the writer's word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.67
9781631484DidacticFrom the Greek, didactic literally means "teaching."68
9781631485EuphemismFrom the Greek for "good speech," euphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept - POLITICALLY CORRECT69
9781631486Extended MetaphorA metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.70
9781631487Figurative LanguageWriting or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid71
9781631488Figure 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
9781631489GenreThe major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama.73
9781631490HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.74
9781631491HyperboleA figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. (The literal Greek meaning is "overshoot.")75
9781631492ImageryThe sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.76
9781631493Inference/inferTo draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.77
9781631494Invectivean emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.78
9781631495Irony/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
9781631496Loose 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
9781631497MetaphorA figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity.81
9781631498MetonymyA figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.82
9781631499MoodThe prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work.83
9781631500NarrativeThe telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.84
9781631501onomatopoeiaA figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words.85
9781631502OxymoronOxymoron is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.86
9781631503ParadoxA statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity.87
9781631504Parallelismthe use of successive verbal constructions in poetry or prose that correspond in grammatical structure, sound, meter, meaning, etc.88
9781631505ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.89
9781631506PedanticAn 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
9781631507Periodic sentenceThe opposite of loose sentence, a sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end.91
9781631508PersonificationA figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions.92
9781631509Point of viewIn literature, the perspective from which a story is told.93
9781631510Prosewritten or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure.94
9781631511RepetitionThe duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern.95
9781631512RhetoricFrom the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.96
9781631513SarcasmInvolves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something.97
9781631514SatireA work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule.98
9781631515Subordinate 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
9781631516SyllogismA 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
9781631517Symbol/symbolismGenerally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else.101
9781631518SyntaxThe way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.102
9781631519ThemeThe central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life.103
9781631520ThesisThe sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position.104
9781631521ToneDescribes the author's attitude toward his material, the audience, or both.105
9781631522TransitionA 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
9781631523Understatementthe ironic minimalizing of fact; presents something as less significant than it is.107
9781631524Witin modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights.108
9781631525Slippery SlopeThis is the failure to provide evidence to support a claim that one event will lead to a catastrophic chain of events.109
9781631526straw manWhen a writer argues against a claim that nobody actually holds or is universally considered weak.110
9781631527EthosAn 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
9781631528JuxtapositionMaking on idea more dramatic by placing it next to its opposite.112
9781631529LogosAn appeal to reason.113
9781631530PathosAn appeal to emotion.114
9781631531Rhetorical QuestionA question whose answer is assumed.115
9781631532SimileA 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
9781631533rhetorical 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
9781631534descriptive detailWhen an essay uses this phrase, look for the writer's sensory description.118
9781631535devicesThe figures of speech, syntax, diction, and other stylistic elements that collectively produce a particular artistic effect.119
9781631536narrative 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
9781631537narrative 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
9781631538Ad hominem argumentAn argument attacking an individual's character rather than his or her position on an issue122
9781631539AnaphoraFigure 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
9781631540AnecdoteA brief story that illustrates or makes a point124
9781631541Appeal 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
9781631542Argumentationone 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
9781631543AssonanceRepetition of a vowel sound within two or more words in close proximity127
9781631544AsyndetonA series of words separated by commas (with no conjunction).128
9781631545toneA speaker's, author's, or character's disposition toward or opinion of a subject.129
9781631546audienceOne's listener or readership; those to whom a speech or piece of writing is addressed.130
9781631547Balanced sentenceA sentence in which words, phrases, or clauses are set off against each other to emphasize a contrast131
9781631548Begging the questionOften called circular reasoning, __ occurs when the believability of the evidence depends on the believability of the claim.132
9781631449understatement"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
9781631450parallelism"My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." John F. Kennedy134
9781631451allusionThe rise in poverty will unlock the Pandora's box of crimes.135
9781631452hyperbole"I'll love you, dear, I'll love you/Till China and Africa meet,/And the river jumps over the mountain"136
9781631453aphorism"Having nothing, nothing can he lose."137
9781631454metonymy"Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears." Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Act I138
9781631455invective"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
9781631456antithesis"To err is human; to forgive divine." Alexander Pope "An Essay on Criticism"140
9781631457euphemism"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
9781631458periodic sentenceIn spite of heavy snow and cold temperatures, the game continued.142
9781631459paradox"Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it." -Gandhi143
9781631460alliteration"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
9781631461chiasmus"he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling"145
9781631462oxymoron"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
9781631463personification"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
9781631464onomatopoeia"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
9781631465inverted syntax"Patience you must have, my young padawan."149
9781631466spatial 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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