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AP Language Terms Flashcards

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7259805110Paradoxa phrase or assertion that contradicts itself (ex: fresh rot, blissful hell, etc.)0
7259805111ParallelismRepeated structural elements in a sentence. (ex: She sang; she swam; she ran.)1
7259805507PersonificationGiving human characteristics to nonhuman object or idea. (ex:The sun was shining happily today.)2
7259805508SarcasmMockingly stating the opposite of what you mean. (ex:Thanks Captain obvious!) not actually thanking someone.3
7259806096SatireGenre of humorous and mocking criticism to expose the ignorance and/or ills of society. (ex: Stephen Colbert is a popular;ar modern satirist)4
7259806584SynecdocheReferring to one part of something as a way to refer to a whole. (ex: Ask of hand, the hand stands for the whole woman)5
7259806585UnderstatementPurposely minimizing something, usually for humorous effect.(ex:My Mom's a boy irritated I crashed the car--I'm grounded for the next 24 months)6
7259807144ToneUse of stylistic devices to reveal their attitude on a subject.7
7259807145VoiceAn author's unique sound. Similar to style.(ex:Think of the way you can recognize a pop singer on the radio without hearing who it is first.)8
7259966909AlliterationUsing words with the same first letter repeatedly close together in a phrase or sentence.(ex;She purchased the pretty purple parka)9
7259966910AllusionMaking a brief reference to the cultural canon--the Bible, Shakespeare, mythology, etc. (ex:Like Eve in the garden of Eden, George was not good at resisting temptation.)10
7259966911AnecdoteOffering a brief narrative episode.Introducing an issue, serving as evidence, to illustrate a point, and so on.(ex:When I went to my morning coffee, I ran into an old friend. He told me he had won the lottery and he was about to buy a yacht. Two months later I heard he had decreed bankruptcy.)11
7259967328ConcessionAgreeing with the opposing viewpoint on a certain smaller point.But not a larger argument(ex:While I understand that hybrid cars have higher carbon production costs than conventional automobiles, this is dramatically offset by the much smaller lifetime carbon footprint the vehicles.)12
7259967329DidacticA text with instructive purpose, often moral.(ex:Aesop's fables for example)13
7259967868Euphemismreferring to something with a veiled phrase instead of saying it directly.(ex:She let Bob go, is a euphemism for She fired Bob.)14
7259967872ExemplificationProviding examples in service of a point.(ex:The town beautification funds are being sorely misused. The streets are full of litter and the parks are full of broken equipment.)15
7259968343HyperboleOverstating a situation for humorous or dramatic effect. (ex:My backpack weighs tons!)16
7259968344IdiomA commonly used phrase that signifies something very different that it's literal meaning.(ex:This costs an arm and a leg! Is an idiom for this is expensive)17
7259970340OnomatopoeiaUsing sound-effect words.(ex:We heard an ominous hiss from the kitchen=hiss)18
7262262070AnalogyExplaining something complex by comparing it to something more simple. (ex:An amateur playing in a professional game is like an ibex stepping into a lion's den.)19
7262262071ArgumentThe combination of reasons, evidence, etc that an author uses to convince an audience of their position.(ex: every phrase serves to build the argument.)20
7262262072Aristotelian AppealsThree different methods of appealing to an audience to convince them--pathos, logos, ethos)21
7262264417AttitudeThe writer's personal views or feelings about the subject at hand.(ex: "the deplorable state of this school" implies the author has a negative attitude toward the school.)22
7262264418AudienceWho the author is directing his or her message towards. (ex:When you create a resume, your audience is potential employers)23
7262264419ConnotationThe implied meaning of a word; words can broadly have positive, negative, or neutral connotations.(Conscientious= positive, Fussy= negative)24
7262269614ContextThe extra-textual environment in which the text is being delivered. (ex:If I'm delivering a congratulatory speech to awards recipients, the immediate context might be the awards presentation ceremony; the broader context might be the purpose of significance of the awards themselves.)25
7262282443CounterargumentThe argument(s) against against the authors position. (ex:Counterargument for the dress code is that students now have to buy new clothes)26
7262284712Deductive ReasoningA form of logical reasoning wherein a general principle is applied to a specific case.(ex:If all the planets orbit a star, and Theta II is a planet, then it must orbit a star.)27
7262284713DenotationThe literal dictionary-definition meaning if a word.(ex:the denotation of a chair is a placed so sit028
7262284714DictionThe style of language used; generally tailored to be appropriate to the audience and situation. (ex: What's up loser might be the appropriate How are you doing today? to your brother)29
7262285589EthosSetting up a source as credible and trustworthy.(ex:Given my PhD and experience in the field- might appeal with ethos)30
7262286239EvidenceThe information presented meant to persuade the audience of the author's position. (ex: Saying that someone is a good student you would use their straight A report card as evidence.)31
7262287108Figurative LanguageThe use of language in a non-literal way, metaphor/simile/etc.(ex:Her eyes are like diamonds)32
7262287109Genrethe specific type of work being presented.(ex: Haiku, fiction, biography, etc)33
7262288739ImageryAny descriptive language used to evoke a vivid sense of image of something: includes figurative language)34
7262288740ImplicationWhen something a suggested without being concretely stated.(ex:Watch your wallet around Paul-implies Paul is a thief without saying it)35
7262289550Inductive ReasoningMaking a generalization based on specific reasoning at hand.(ex: All the planets in the solar system orbit a star, so all planets probably orbit stars)36
7262292014IronySaying the opposite of what you mean or something dramatically than intended. (ex: I do so hope there are more papers to sign- might be something ironically said)37
7262292748JuxtapositionPlaces two different things together for effect.(ex:There they stood together, the beggars and the lords, the princess and the washwoman, all crowding into the square.)38
7262292749LogosAppealing to someones concrete facts and logic.(ex:Citing peer-reviewed scientific studies is an appeal to logos.)39
7262293799OccassionThe reason or moment for writing or speaking.(When giving a graduation speech, the occasion is graduation.)40
7262293800OrganizationHow the different parts of an argument are arranged in a piece of writing or speech. (ex: think the about the outline for an essay)41
7262294702PathosAn Aristotelian appeal. Involves appealing to someone's emotions.(ex:Animal shelter ads appeal to pathos)42
7262294703PurposeThe authors persuasive intention.(ex:the purpose of a persuasive essay might be to let your parents get you a car)43
7262295680RepetitionRe-usinga word or phrase repeatedly for effect or emphasis.(ex:We run, and run, and we run, like rats on a wheel.)44
7262295681RhetoricThe use of spoken or written word(or a visual medium) to convey your ideas and convince an audience. (ex: Almost everything is an example of rhetoric!)45
7262296667Rhetorical TriangleThe relationship between the author, the audience, the text/message, and the context. (ex:The author author communicates to the reader via the text; and the reader and text are surrounded by context.)46
7262299432SpeakerThe persona adopted by the author to deliver his or her message; may or may not actually be the same person as the author.(ex: similar to the difference between author and the narrator in a work of fiction)47
7262299433StyleThe author's own personal approach to rhetoric in the piece; similar to voice.(ex:something like a songwriters style)48
7262299434SymbolismUsing a symbol to refer to an idea or concept.(ex:fire being used as anger or passion)49
7262300315SyntaxThe way sentences are grammatically constructed.(There's simple and complicated)50
7262300316SynthesisCombining sources or ideas in a coherent way in the purpose of a larger point.(ex:A research paper synthesizes sources to make a broader point about the topic)51
7262301136ThemesOverarching ideas or driving premises of a work.(ex:Themes you might hear in a high school graduation speech might include legacy, moving forward, becoming an adult, and changing the world.)52

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