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AP Language Miscellaneous Vocabulary Flashcards

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4822769841AnaphoraA rhetorical figure of repetition in which the same word or phrase is repeated in (and usually at the beginning of) successive lines, clauses, or sentences.0
4822769842MetonymyA figure of speech in which something is referred to by using the name of something that is associated with it1
4822769843AntithesisDirect opposite2
4822769844RhetoricFrom the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.3
4822769845Ad Hominem ArgumentAttacks the opposing speaker or another person rather than addressing the issues at hand4
4822769846AllegoryA story in which each aspect of the story has a symbolic meaning outside the tale itself.5
4822769847AllusionA reference to another work of literature, person, or event6
4822769848AnecdoteA brief narrative that focuses on a particular incident or event.7
4822769849EuphemismA mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing8
4822769850Colloquial LanguageSlang or common language that is informal9
4822769851DictionAn author's choice of words10
4822769852EthosAppeal to values, credibility11
4822769853PathosAppeal to emotion12
4822769854LogosAppeal to logic and reasoning13
4822769855ExpositionWriting or speech that is organized to explain14
4822769856ForeshadowingA hint of things to come15
4822769857HyperboleAn exaggeration16
4822769858JuxtapositionWhen two contrasting things are placed next to each other for comparison17
4822769859MetonymyA figure of speech in which something is referred to by using the name of something that is associated with it18
4822769860OxymoronTwo contradictory words in one expression19
4822769861ParallelismA literary technique that relies on the use of the same syntactical structures20
4822769862ParadoxA seeming contradiction that in fact reveals some truth21
4822769863PersonaThe character created by the voice and narration of the speaker of a text22
4822769864RepetitionThe reiteration of a word or phrase for emphasis23
4822769865Aristotelian TriangleAlso known as the Rhetorical Triangle. Includes subject, speaker, and audience.24
4822769866Rhetorical DevicesThe specific language tools that an author uses to carry out a rhetorical strategy (diction, imagery, or syntax).25
4822769867Rhetorical StrategyThe way an author organizes words, sentences, and overall argument in order to achieve a particular purpose26
4822769868Rhetorical QuestionA question that is asked for the sake of argument27
4822769869SatireTo ridicule or mock ideas, persons, events, or doctrines28
4822769870SyntaxArrangement of words in a sentence.29
4822769871ThemeCentral idea; not limited to one text (should be universal).30
4822769872ToneAuthor/speaker's attitude31
4822769873UnderstatementWhen an author assigns less significance to an event or thing than it deserves32
4822790722PersonificationThe assigning of human qualities to inanimate objects or concepts. An example: Wordsworth's "the sea that bares her bosom to the moon."33
4822790723Antithesisthe presentation of two contrasting images. The ideas are balanced by phrase, clause, or paragraphs. "To be or not to be . . ." "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times . . ." "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country . . ."34
4822790724OxymoronFrom the Greek for "pointedly foolish," ___ is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms. Simple examples include "jumbo shrimp" and "cruel kindness."35
4822790725Sarcasmfrom the Greek meaning "to tear flesh," ___ involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something. It may use irony as a device.36
4822790726Synecdoche. a figure of speech that utilizes a part as representative of the whole. "All hands on deck" is an example.37
4822790727Hyperbolea figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement38
4822790728Anaphorarepetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences in a row. This is a deliberate form of repetition and helps make the writer's point more coherent.39
4822790729Euphonythe pleasant, mellifluous presentation of sounds in a literary work.40
4822790730Metonomya term from the Greek meaning "changed label" or "substitute name" __ 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"41
4822790731ParadoxA statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity.42
4822790732Onomatopoeiaa figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words. Simple examples include such words as buzz, hiss, hum.43
4822790733Cacophonyharsh and discordant sounds in a line or passage in a literary word.44
4822790734Metaphora direct comparison between dissimilar things. "Your eyes are stars" is an example.45
4822790735Symbolgenerally, anything that represents, stands for, something else. Usually, a ___ is something concrete—such as an object, action, character, or scene—that represents something more abstract.46
4822790736Invectivean emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.47
4822790737Understatementthe opposite of exaggeration. It is a technique for developing irony and/or humor where one writes or says less than intended.48
4822790738HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.49
4822790739PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish.50
4822790740ImageryThe sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. On a physical level, __ uses terms related to the five senses; we refer to visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, or olfactory. For example, a rose may present visual __ while also representing the color in a woman's cheeks.51
4822790741Euphemisma more acceptable and usually more pleasant way of saying something that might be inappropriate or uncomfortable. "He went to his final reward" is a common __ for "he died." They are also used to obscure the reality of the situation.52
4822790742Figure of SpeechA device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. Examples are apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, metonomy, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche, and understatement.53
4822790743IronyThe contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant. The difference between what appears to be and what actually is true.54
4822790744SatireA work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and convention for reform or ridicule. Regardless of whether or not the work aims to reform humans or their society, ___ is best seen as a style of writing rather than a purpose for writing. The effect of __, often humorous, is thought provoking and insightful about the human condition.55
4822790745AlliterationThe repetition of initial consonant sounds, such as "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."56
4822790746EpigraphThe use of a quotation at the beginning of a work that hints at its theme. Hemingway begins The Sun Also Rises with two. One of them is "You are all a lost generation" by Gertrude Stein.57
4822790747Periodic SentenceA sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end. The independent clause is preceded by a phrase or clause that cannot stand alone. The effect is to add emphasis and structural variety.58
4822790748NarrativeThe telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.59
4822790749Ethosan appeal based on the character of the speaker. An __-driven document relies on the reputation of the author.60
4822790750Situational Ironya type of irony in which events turn out the opposite of what was expected.61
4822790751ConsonanceRepetition of a consonant sound within two or more words in close proximity.62
4822790752Pathosan appeal based on emotion.63
4822790753Logosan appeal based on logic or reason64
4822790754Verbal IronyIn this type of irony, the words literally state the opposite of the writer's true meaning65
4822790755AnecdoteA story or brief episode told by the writer or a character to illustrate a point.66
4822790756Abstract LanguageLanguage describing ideas and qualities rather than observable or specific things, people, or places.67
4822790757Denotationthe literal or dictionary meaning of a word68
4822790758CumulativeSentence which begins with the main idea and then expands on that idea with a series of details or other particulars69
4822790759Dramatic IronyIn this type of irony, facts or events are unknown to a character in a play or a piece of fiction but known to the reader, audience, or other characters in the work70
4822790760ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.71
4822790761Connotationthe interpretive level or a word based on its associated images rather than its literal meaning.72
4822790762RepetitionThe duplication, either exact or approximate, or any element of language, such as sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern.73
4822790763SyntaxThe grammatical structure of prose and poetry.74
4822790764AssonanceRepetition of a vowel sound within two or more words in close proximity75
4822790765ArgumentA single assertion or a series of assertions presented and defended by the writer76
4822790766AllusionA reference contained in a work77
4822790767Parallelismrefers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity.78
4822790768Analogya literary device employed to serve as a basis for comparison. It is assumed that what applies to the parallel situation also applies to the original circumstance. In other words, it is the comparison between two different items.79
4822790769Figurative LanguageWriting or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.80
4822790770DescriptionThe purpose of this rhetorical mode is to re-create, invent, or visually present a person, place, event, or action so that the reader can picture that being described. Sometimes an author engages all five senses.81
4822790771Ethical AppealWhen a writer tries to persuade the audience to respect and believe him or her based on a presentation of image of self through the text.82
4822790772ExpositionThe purpose of this rhetorical mode is to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion.83
4822790773EllipsisIndicated by a series of three periods, the __ indicates that some material has been omitted from a given text.84
4822790774ArgumentationThe purpose of this rhetorical mode is to prove the validity of an idea, or point of view, by presenting sound reasoning, discussion, and argument that thoroughly convince the reader.85
4822790775Didacticwriting whose purpose is to instruct or to teach. A ___ work is usually formal and focuses on moral or ethical concerns.86
4822790776NarrationThe purpose of this type of rhetorical mode is to tell the story or narrate an event or series of events.87
4822790777Colloquialthe use of slang in writing, often to create local color and to provide an informal tone. Huckleberry Finn in written in a __ style.88
4822790778Antecedentthe word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers.89
4822790779Stylean evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices.90
4822790780ThesisThe sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or proposition.91
4822790781ChiasmusArrangement of repeated thoughts in the pattern of X Y Y X. It is often short and summarizes a main idea.92
4822790782Balancea situation in which all parts of the presentation are equal, whether in sentences or paragraphs or sections of a longer work.93
4822790783ToneSimilar to mood, __ describes the author's attitude toward his or her material, the audience, or both.94
4822790784Dialectthe recreation of regional spoken language, such as a Southern one. Hurston uses this in Their Eyes Were Watching God.95
4822790785AsyndetonCommas used (with no conjunction) to separate a series of words. The parts are emphasized equally when the conjunction is omitted; in addition, the use of commas with no intervening conjunction speeds up the flow of the sentence. X, Y, Z as opposed to X, Y, and Z.96
4822790786WitIn modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights. Usually uses terse language that makes a pointed statement.97
4822790787MoodThis term has two distinct technical meanings in English writing. The first meaning is grammatical and deals with verbal units and a speaker's attitude. The second meaning is literary, meaning the prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work.98
4822790788Dictionthe author's choice of words that creates tone, attitude, and style, as well as meaning99
4822790789PolysyndetonDeliberate use of many conjunctions in close succession, especially where some might be omitted. Hemingway and the Bible both use extensively. Ex. "he ran and jumped and laughed for joy"100
4822790790ToneA writer's attitude toward his or her subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language, and organization on the sentence and global levels.101
4822790791JuxtapositionPlacement of two things closely together to emphasize comparisons or contrasts102

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