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AP Language Terms Flashcards

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10167881568Cumulative (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
10167881569Periodic Sentencea sentence that, by leaving the completion of its main clause to the end, produces an effect of suspense.1
10167881570Litotes/Understatementa figure of speech in which a negative statement is used to affirm a positive statement.2
10167881571Warrantexpresses the assumption necessarily shared by the speaker and the audience.3
10167881572Ethosan appeal to ethics and it is a means of convincing someone of the character or credibility of the persuader.4
10167881573Pathosan appeal to emotion, and is a way of convincing an audience of an argument by creating an emotional response.5
10167881574Logosan appeal to logic, and is a way of persuading an audience by reason.6
10167881575Concessionan acknowledgement that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable.7
10167881576SyllogismA logical structure that uses the major premise and minor premise to reach a necessary conclusion.8
10167881577Major premisecontains the term that is the predicate of the conclusion.9
10167881578Minor premisecontains the term that is the subject of the conclusion.10
10167881579Inductiona 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
10167881580Deductiona logical process wherein you reach a conclusion by starting with a general principle or universal truth (a major premise).12
10167881581Equivocationa fallacy of argument in which a lie is given the appearance of truth, or in which the truth is misrepresented in deceptive language.13
10167881582Refutationa denial of the validity of an opposing argument.14
10167881583Dictiona speaker's choice of words. Analysis of diction looks at these choices and what they add to the speaker's message.15
10167881584Similea 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
10167881585Metaphorfigure of speech that compares two unlike things without using like or as.17
10167881586Anaphorathe intentional repetition of beginning clauses in order to create an artistic effect.18
10167881587Rhetoricit is the art of finding ways of persuading an audience.19
10167881588Rhetorical Trianglespeaker-subject-audience20
10167881589Allusionbrief reference to a person, event, or place (real or fictitious) to to a work of art.21
10167881590Hyperboledeliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or to produce a comic or ironic effect; an overstatement to make a point.22
10167881591Personificationattribution of a lifelike quality to an inanimate object or an idea.23
10167881592Asyndetonomission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.24
10167881593Polysyndetonthe deliberate use of multiple conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses or words.25
10167881594Parallelismsimilarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses.26
10167881595Antithesisopposition, or contrast or ideas or words in a parallel construction.27
10167881596Enumerationto mention separately as if in counting; name one by one; specify, as in list28
10167881597Rhetorical 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
10167881598Chiasmusthe reversal in the order of words in two otherwise parallel phrases. Ex.) He went to the country, the country went to him.30
10167881599RebuttalIn the Toulon model, a rebuttal gives voice to possible objections.31
10167881600Fallacy of Argumenta flaw in the structure of an argument that renders its conclusion invalid or suspect.32
10167881601Bandwagon Appeala fallacy of argument in which a course of action is recommended on the grounds that everyone else is following it.33
10167881602Begging the Questiona fallacy of argument in which a claim is based on the very grounds that are in doubt or dispute.34
10167881603Anecdotea brief story used to illustrate a point or claim.35
10167881604Modes 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
10167881605Examplea specific event, person, or detail of an idea cited and/or developed to support or illustrate a thesis or topic.37
10167881606Contrast/ 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
10167881607Cause and Effectestablishes a relationship: B is the result of A.39
10167881608Classificationseparates items into major categories and details the characteristics of each group is placed within the category.40
10167881609Processsimply "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
10167881610Definitionidentifies the class to which a specific term belongs and those characteristics which make it different from all the other items in that class.42
10167881611Narrationis nothing more than storytelling. There is a beginning, a middle, and an end.43
10167881612Descriptionwriting 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
10167881613Dogmatism`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
10167881614False 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
10167881615False authoritya fallacy of argument in which a claim is based on the expertise of someone who lacks appropriate credentials.47
10167881616Faulty 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
10167881617Hasty generalizationa fallacy of argument in which an inference is drawn from insufficient data.49
10167881618Non sequitora fallacy of argument in which claims, reasons, or warrants fail to connect logically; one point doesn't follow from another.50
10167881642AllegoryThe 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
10167881643AlliterationThe repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words (as in "she sells sea shells").52
10167881644AllusionA direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art.53
10167881645AmbiguityThe multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.54
10167881646AnalogyA similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.55
10167881647AntecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.56
10167881648Antithesisthe opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite.57
10167881649AphorismA 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
10167881650ApostropheA 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
10167881651AtmosphereThe 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
10167881652Caricaturea verbal description, the purpose of which is to exaggerate or distort, for comic effect, a person's distinctive physical features or other characteristics.61
10167881653ClauseA grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb.62
10167881654Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.63
10167881655Literary 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
10167881656ConnotationThe non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning.65
10167881657DenotationThe strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.66
10167881658DictionRelated to style, diction refers to the writer's word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.67
10167881659DidacticFrom the Greek, didactic literally means "teaching."68
10167881660EuphemismFrom the Greek for "good speech," euphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept - POLITICALLY CORRECT69
10167881661Extended MetaphorA metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.70
10167881662Figurative LanguageWriting or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid71
10167881663Figure 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
10167881664GenreThe major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama.73
10167881665HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.74
10167881666HyperboleA figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. (The literal Greek meaning is "overshoot.")75
10167881667ImageryThe sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.76
10167881668Inference/inferTo draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.77
10167881669Invectivean emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.78
10167881670Irony/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
10167881671Loose 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
10167881672MetaphorA figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity.81
10167881673MetonymyA figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.82
10167881674MoodThe prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work.83
10167881675NarrativeThe telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.84
10167881676onomatopoeiaA figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words.85
10167881677OxymoronOxymoron is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.86
10167881678ParadoxA statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity.87
10167881679Parallelismthe use of successive verbal constructions in poetry or prose that correspond in grammatical structure, sound, meter, meaning, etc.88
10167881680ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.89
10167881681PedanticAn 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
10167881682Periodic sentenceThe opposite of loose sentence, a sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end.91
10167881683PersonificationA figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions.92
10167881684Point of viewIn literature, the perspective from which a story is told.93
10167881685Prosewritten or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure.94
10167881686RepetitionThe duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern.95
10167881687RhetoricFrom the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.96
10167881688SarcasmInvolves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something.97
10167881689SatireA work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule.98
10167881690Subordinate 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
10167881691SyllogismA 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
10167881692Symbol/symbolismGenerally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else.101
10167881693SyntaxThe way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.102
10167881694ThemeThe central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life.103
10167881695ThesisThe sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position.104
10167881696ToneDescribes the author's attitude toward his material, the audience, or both.105
10167881697TransitionA 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
10167881698Understatementthe ironic minimalizing of fact; presents something as less significant than it is.107
10167881699Witin modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights.108
10167881700Slippery SlopeThis is the failure to provide evidence to support a claim that one event will lead to a catastrophic chain of events.109
10167881701straw manWhen a writer argues against a claim that nobody actually holds or is universally considered weak.110
10167881702EthosAn 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
10167881703JuxtapositionMaking on idea more dramatic by placing it next to its opposite.112
10167881704LogosAn appeal to reason.113
10167881705PathosAn appeal to emotion.114
10167881706Rhetorical QuestionA question whose answer is assumed.115
10167881707SimileA 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
10167881708rhetorical 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
10167881709descriptive detailWhen an essay uses this phrase, look for the writer's sensory description.118
10167881710devicesThe figures of speech, syntax, diction, and other stylistic elements that collectively produce a particular artistic effect.119
10167881711narrative 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
10167881712narrative 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
10167881713Ad hominem argumentAn argument attacking an individual's character rather than his or her position on an issue122
10167881714AnaphoraFigure 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
10167881715AnecdoteA brief story that illustrates or makes a point124
10167881716Appeal 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
10167881717Argumentationone 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
10167881718AssonanceRepetition of a vowel sound within two or more words in close proximity127
10167881719AsyndetonA series of words separated by commas (with no conjunction).128
10167881720toneA speaker's, author's, or character's disposition toward or opinion of a subject.129
10167881721Balanced sentenceA sentence in which words, phrases, or clauses are set off against each other to emphasize a contrast130
10167881722Begging the questionOften called circular reasoning, __ occurs when the believability of the evidence depends on the believability of the claim.131
10167881619understatement"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 Rye132
10167881620parallelism"My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." John F. Kennedy133
10167881621allusionThe rise in poverty will unlock the Pandora's box of crimes.134
10167881622hyperbole"I'll love you, dear, I'll love you/Till China and Africa meet,/And the river jumps over the mountain"135
10167881623aphorism"Having nothing, nothing can he lose."136
10167881624metonymy"Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears." Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Act I137
10167881625invective"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 Travels138
10167881626antithesis"To err is human; to forgive divine." Alexander Pope "An Essay on Criticism"139
10167881627euphemism"I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs." William Shakespeare Othello140
10167881628periodic sentenceIn spite of heavy snow and cold temperatures, the game continued.141
10167881629paradox"Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it." -Gandhi142
10167881630alliteration"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."143
10167881631chiasmus"he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling"144
10167881632oxymoron"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."145
10167881633personification"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."146
10167881634onomatopoeia"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."147
10167881635inverted syntax"Patience you must have, my young padawan."148
10167881636spatial 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."149
10167881637synecdochea figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa, as in Cleveland won by six runs (meaning "Cleveland's baseball team").150
10167881638zeugmaa figure of speech in which a word applies to two others in different senses (e.g., John and his license expired last week ) or to two others of which it semantically suits only one (e.g., with weeping eyes and hearts ).151
10167881639kairosRefers to the "timeliness" of an argument. Often, for an ad or an argument to be successful, it needs appropriate tone and structure and come at the right time.152
10167881640decorumetiquette; behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety.153
10167881641audiencethe assembled spectators or listeners at a public event, such as a play, movie, concert, or meeting.154

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