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AP Language Terms Flashcards

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5727113476Allegorythe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. ex: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe0
5727113477Alliterationthe repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words. ex: She sells sea-shells down by the sea-shore1
5727214915Allusiona direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly, such as an event, book, myth, or work art; can be historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical. ex: You're a regular Einstein.2
5727248503Ambiguitythe multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage. ex: I have never tasted a cake quite like that one before! Was the cake good or bad?3
5727261224AnaphoraA sub-type of parallelism, when the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences. ex: My life is my purpose. My life is my goal. My life is my inspiration.4
5727286092Antecedentthe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. ex: Even though the party was fun, IT was crowded5
5727310777Antithesisthe opposition or contrast of ideas expressed in a grammatically balanced statement(s). ex: That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind6
5727334908Aphorisma terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle. ex: Don't judge a book by its cover7
5727358126Apostrophea figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such a liberty or love. ex: Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky.8
5727388411Cacophonywords combining unpleasant, discordant sounds that produce an effect of harshness. ex: He is a rotten, dirty, terrible, trudging, stupid dude!9
5727407341Caricaturea verbal description, the purpose of which is to exaggerate or distort, for comic effect, a person's distinctive physical features or other characteristics. ex: Her eyes were lasers, boring a hole through me. Her ears were smoking, and her hair was on fire. Mom was mad.10
5727430417Catharsisa purging of pity and/or terror in the audience when watching or reading a tragic event. ex: A man who killed someone in a drunk driving incident experiences cleansing by volunteering in a children's shelter11
5727441938Clausea grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb. An independent, or main, clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent, or subordinate, clause cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent clause. ex: dep; When it is raining indep; I want some cereal.12
5727488275Colloquialismthe use if slang or informalities in speech or writing. ex: a bunch of numpties - a group of idiots13
5727507831Connotationthe non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning; involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes. ex: "Cheap" versus "Affordable": While both words mean that something does not cost a lot, "cheap" can also connote something that it not well-made or of low value, while "affordable" can refer to a quality item or service that happens to be well-priced14
5727526611Dictionrelated to styles, refers to the writer's word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness. ex: "I'll do it right away, sir," Vs. "Yeah, just a sec."15
5727540669Digressionthe use of material unrelated to the subject of the work. ex:16
5727552104Euphemisma more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept. ex: You are becoming a little thin on top (bald)17
5727568226Ethosthe characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its beliefs and aspirations. (Credibility) ex:18
5727602698Foila character that provides a sharp contrast to another character in the same work. ex: God and Satan. The negative traits of Satan and the positive traits of God are frequently compared which consequently brings to the surface the contrast between the two characters.19
5727617655Foreshadowinghints or clues that suggest events yet to occur. ex:20
5727628787Genrethe major category into which a literary work fits. (basics divisions are prose, poetry, and drama) ex:21
5727680013Hyperbolea figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. ex: I am so hungry I could eat a horse22
5727693765Imagerythe sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotions, or represent abstractions. ex: The golden yellow sunlight filtered down through the pale new leaves on the oak trees, coming to rest on Jessica's brown toes that were splayed in the red Georgia mud23
5727713638Invectivean emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language. ex: Labeling someone who took credit for your idea as a cheater24
5727728388Ironythe contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant, or the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true. (3 types of irony = verbal, situational, and dramatic) ex:25
5727774451Logosa literary device that can be defined as a statement, sentence or argument used to convince or persuade the targeted audience by employing reason or logic. ex:26
5727788979Metaphora figure of speech using implies comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity. ex: Her eyes were fireflies27
5727816352Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it. ex: Let me give you a hand. (Hand means help.)28
5727835721Moodthe prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work; setting, tone, and events can affect the mood. ex:29
5727851217Motifan image that occurs throughout a work that is in and of itself, but also may have symbolic meaning. ex:30
5727863872Narrativethe telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events. ex:31
5727872403Onomatopoeiaa figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words. (hiss, buzz, crack)32
5727888054Oxymorona figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox. ex: jumbo shrimp33
5728014958Pathosa quality of an experience in life or a work of art that stirs up emotions of pity, sympathy and sorrow.34
5727903604Parablea story designed to suggest a principle, illustrate a moral, or answer a question.35
5727917327Paradoxa statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth and validity. ex: a good loss36
5727959937Parodya work that closely imitates the styles or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.37
5727980050Pastorala rural or natural setting.38
5727987173Personificationa figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or animate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions; make these things more vivid to reader.39
5728037005Point Of Viewthe perspective from which the story is told; first or third person POV.40
5728048103Rhetoricdescribes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.41
5728066895Rhetorical Questiona question asked for effect, not in the expectation of reply.42
5728083814Satirea work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule; best seen as a style instead of a purpose for writing.43
5728109559Settingthe background of the story - the physical location of a play, story or novel - involves time and place.44
5728123156Similea figure of speech comparing two unlike objects using like, as, or than.45
5728142746Symbolsanything that represents itself and stands for something else; usually something concrete representing something more abstract. (3 types = natural, conventional, and literary symbols)46
5728283401Themethe central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life.47
5728298249Thesisthe sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position.48
5728312088Tonedescribes the author's attitude toward his material, the audience, or both. (playful, sarcastic, serious)49

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