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AP Language Review 2019 Flashcards

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13998601235AllusionA direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. They can be historical, literary, religious, cultural, or mythical.0
13998601237AnalogyA similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. It can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with or pointing out its similarity to something more familiar. They can also make writing more vivid, imaginative, or intellectually engaging.1
13998601238AnaphoraOne of the devices of repetition, in which the same expression (word or words) is repeated at the beginning of two or more lines, clauses, or sentences.2
13998601239AnecdoteA short narrative detailing particulars of an interesting episode or event. The term most frequently refers to an incident in the life of a person3
13998601240Antecedent (an-tuh-seed-nt)The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. The AP Language exam occasionally asks for this in a long, complex sentence or in a group of sentences.4
13998601241Antithesis (an-tih-theh-sis)Figure of speech in which an opposition or contrast of ideas is expressed by parallelism of words that are the opposites of, or strongly contrasted with, each other, such as "hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins".5
13998601245Chiasmus (kahy-az-muhs)Figure of speech in which two successive phrases or clauses are parallel in syntax, but reverse the order of the analogous words. Example: "Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate." (JFK)6
13998601246Clausea grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb. An independent one expresses a complete thought and can sand alone as a sentence. A dependent one cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent one. The point that you want to consider is the question of what or why the author subordinates one element to the other.7
13998601248ConnotationThe nonliteral, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning.8
13998601249DenotationThe strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion attitude, or color.9
13998601250DictionThis refers to the writer's word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness. For the AP exam, you should be able to describe this (for example, formal or informal, ornate or plain) and understand the ways in which it can complement the author's purpose.10
13998601252Extended metaphorA metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout the work.11
13998601253Figurative languageWriting or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.12
13998601254Hyperbole (hahy-pur-buh-lee)A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. They often have a comic effect; however, a serious effect is also possible. Often, it produces irony.13
13998601255ImageryThe sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. On a physical level, it uses terms related to the five senses.14
13998601256Irony/ironicThe contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant. The difference between what appears to be and what actually is true.15
13998601257MetaphorA figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity. It makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought provoking, and meaningful.16
13998601259ParadoxA statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity.17
13998601260ParallelismGrammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity. A famous example of parallelism begins Charles Dickens's novel A Tale of Two Cities: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity . . ."18
13998601265RepetitionThe duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern.19
13998601266RhetoricFrom the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.20
13998601267Rhetorical Questiona question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point21
13998601268SarcasmBitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something. It may use irony is a device, but not all ironic statements are _____________, that is, intended to ridicule. When well done, it can be witty and insightful; when done poorly, it's simply cruel.22
13998601269SatireA work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule.23
13998601270Syllogism (sil- uh-jiz-uhm)A deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises (the first one called "major" and the second, "minor") that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion. A frequently cited example proceeds as follows;24
13998601271Symbol/symbolismGenerally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else.25
13998601273SyntaxThe way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences. Similar to diction, but this refers to the groups of words, while diction refers to the individual words.26
13998601274ThemeThe central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life. Usually unstated in fictional works, but in nonfiction, it may be directly stated, especially in expository or argumentative writing.27
13998601275ThesisThe sentence or a group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position. Writing is usually judged by analyzing how accurately, effectively, and thoroughly a writer has proved this point.28
13998601276ToneDescribes the author's attitude toward his/her material, the audience, or both. Considering how a work would sound if it were read aloud can help in identifying it. Some words describing it are playful, serious, businesslike, sarcastic, humorous, formal, ornate, sardonic, and somber29
13998601277Utilitarianismidea that the goal of society should be to bring about the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people30
13998601278MachiavelliRenaissance writer; formerly a politician, wrote The Prince, a work on ethics and government, describing how rulers maintain power by methods that ignore right or wrong; accepted the philosophy that "the end justifies the means." Also known for the idea that "It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both" (especially for leaders).31
13998601279Ring of GygesIllustration in Plato's Republic. The ring granted one the power to become invisible at will. Glaucon asserts that no person would act morally if there was no fear of being caught or punished.32
13998601280David Hume"Of the Dignity or Meanness of Human Nature" Discusses the question: Are people inherently good or evil? Ultimately answers that self-love (not selfishness) caring about virtue are virtuous.33
13998601281Nietzsche's "slave morality"Based on empathy and compassion; concerned with "good vs. evil" In aristocratic society, this keeps lower classes oppressed because their morality keeps them from gaining power34
13998601282Nietzche's "master morality"Based on attaining success; concerned with "good vs. bad (lesser)" Those with master morality are able to gain and maintain power over those with slave morality.35
13998601283cultural relativismthe practice of judging a culture by its own standards; the idea that culture determines morality; instead of "good vs. bad/evil," there is "normal vs. abnormal" within a society.36
13998601284EthicsHow we determine what is right or wrong37
13998601285Allegory of the CaveAn extended metaphor created by Plato in The Republic. It describes a group of prisoners in a cave, chained so their backs are to the entrance. They believe that the shadows (sensed reality) before them are reality, until someone manages to get free, turn around and see the source of the shadows (the real world, which can only be experienced intellectually). Represents the effect of education and the lack of it on our nature.38
13998601286A Modest ProposalAn essay by JONATHAN SWIFT, often called a masterpiece of irony. "A modest proposal for preventing the children of the poor people in Ireland from being a burden to their parents or country, and for making them beneficial to their public." Swift emphasizes the terrible poverty of the 18th century Ireland by ironically proposing that Irish parents earn money by selling their children as food.39

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