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AP Language Terms for Exam Flashcards

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12485921905Rhetoricthe art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially with the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques. (The very act of defending has itself been a central part of rhetoric).0
12485921906BombasticHigh sounding but with little meaning; inflated;grandiloquent.1
12485921907EthosAppeal based on the character of speaker. Meaning convincing someone of the character or credibility of the persuader (speaker).2
12485921908LogosAn appeal to logic or reason. For example scholarly documents.3
12485921909PathosAppeal on emotion. The quality that evokes pity or sadness.4
12485921910CapriciousImpulsive; unpredictable. Sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior.5
12485921911ToneWriter's attitude, mood or moral outlook toward the subject and/or the readers.6
12485921912Appealthe power of arousing a sympathetic response, to arouse a sympathetic response.7
12485921913ArgumentDiscourse intended to persuade; process of reasoning; exchange of diverging/ opposite views.8
12485921914Colloquialism (Colloquial)a word or phrase that is not formal or literary. It is still used in literature to provide a sense of actual conversation and the use of pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary of everyday speech.9
12485921915Connotationand idea or feeling that a word evokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning. Words imply or suggest qualities, attributes, and characteristics.10
12485921916Apathylack of interest, enthusiasm or concern. No emotion11
12485921917DialectA variety of language confined to a region or group, manner or means of expressing oneself.12
12485921918UnderstatementStatement which says less than is really meant. Opposite of hyperbole. Made smaller, worse, or less important than really is. Minimizing.13
12485921919HyperboleDeliberate and obvious exaggeration for effect.14
12485921920Anecdotea short and amusing or interesting story about a real person or incident.15
12485921921CondescendingHaving or feeling superior. patronizing or assuming superiority.16
12485921922VoiceAn authors distinctive literary style, basic vision and general attitude toward the world. Revealed through the use of Syntax, Diction, Punctuation, Characterization, and Dialogue.17
12485921923SyntaxSentence construction18
12485921924DictionAuthor's choice of words. Distinctive vocabulary.19
12485921925AssertionA confident and forceful statement of fact or belief. A declaration that's made em pathetically in an argument as it to be understood as a statement of fact.20
12485921926Cogent(of an argument or case) clear, logical, and convincing.21
12485921927Coherent(of an argument, theory, or policy) logical and consistent22
12485921928Cohesivecharacterized by or causing cohesion (act or state of being uniting, cohering, or sticking together).23
12485921929Didacticintended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive.24
12485921930Discoursewritten or spoken communication or debate. (verb) speak or write authoritatively about a topic.25
12485921931Eloquencefluent or persuasive speaking or writing.26
12485921932Fluidable to flow easily.27
12485921933implicationthe conclusion that can be drawn from something, although it is not explicitly stated.28
12485921934lucidexpressed clearly; easy to understand29
12485921935rhetora teacher of rhetoric30
12485921936Arbitera person who settles a dispute or has ultimate authority in a matter31
12485921937Biasedunfairly prejudiced for or against something or someone.32
12485921938Exculpateshow or declare that (someone) is not guilty of wrongdoing33
12485921939Impartialtreating all rivals or disputants equally; fair and just.34
12485921940Incontrovertiblenot able to be denied or disputed.35
12485921941Integritythe quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.36
12485921942Objectivitythe quality of being objective; justice; neutrality37
12485921943Plausible(of an argument or statement) seeming reasonable or probable.38
12485921944Substantiatedprovide evidence to support or prove that truth of.39
12485921945vindicatedclear (something) of blame or suspicion.40
12485921946CondescendingHaving or feeling superior. patronizing or assuming superiority.41
12485921947Contemptuousshowing contempt; scornful42
12485921948Despoticof, relating to, or characteristics of a despot (ruler with total power; usually unfair)43
12485921949Dictatorialof or typical of a ruler with total control44
12485921950Disdainthe feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect; contempt.45
12485921951Haughtyarrogantly superior and disdainful.46
12485921952Imperiousassuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering.47
12485921953Patronizingtreat with an apparent kindness that betrays a feeling of superiority.48
12485921954Listlesslacking energy or enthusiasm.49
12485921955Melancholya feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.50
12485921956Torpora state of physical or mental inactivity51
12485921957alliancea relationship based on an affinity in interests, nature, or qualities.52
12485921958disparitya great difference, imbalance.53
12485921959impingehave an affect or impact, especially a negative one. Influence.54
12485921960Paradoxa state or proposition that, despite reasoning, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, self-contradictory.55
12485921961allusionan expression to call something to mind without mentioning it exactly; an indirect or passing reference.56
12485921962parallelismthe act of being parallel or corresponding in some way.57
12485921963indolentwanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy.58
12485921964insipid.lacking flavor, vigor or interest.59
12485921965lamenta passionate expression or grief or sorrow.60
12485921966Sanctiona threatening penalty for disobeying a law or rule61
12485921967servilehaving or showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others.62
12485921968suppressedforcibly to an end to.63
12485921969Embellishmake (something) more attractive by the addition of decorative details or features.64
12485921970floridhaving a red or flushed complexion65
12485921971opulentostentatiously rich and luxurious or lavish66
12485921972ornatemade in an intricate shape or decorated with complex patterns.67
12485921973ostentatiouscharacterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice.68
12485921974poignantevoking a keen sense or sadness or regret.69
12485921975Ebulliencethe quality of being cheerful and full of energy; exuberance.70
12485921976effusiveexpressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.71
12485921977egregiousoutstandingly bad; shocking.72
12485921978freneticfast and energetic in a rather wild and uncontrolled way.73
12485921979gratuitousuncalled for; lacking good reason; unwarranted74
12485921980flagrant(of something considered wrong or immoral) conspicuously or obviously offensive75
12485921981superfluousunnecessary, especially through being more than enough.76
12485921982convolutedextremely complex and difficult to follow (especially or a story, sentence, or argument).77
12485921983cryptichaving a meaning that is mysterious or obscure78
12485921984Obscureuncertain; not discovered or know about.79
12485921985futileincapable of producing any useful result; pointless.80
12485921986impededelay or prevent by obstructing them; hinder.81
12485921987quandarya state of perplexity or uncertainty over what what to do in a difficult situation.82
12485921988alleviatemake (suffering or a problem) less severe.83
12485921989asylumthe protection granted by a nation to someone who has left their native country as a political refugee. ( or it can be a mental hospital).84
12485921990auspiciousconductive to success; favorable.85
12485921991benevolentwell meaning and kindly86
12485921992benigngentle, kindly.87
12485921993Mollifyappease the anger or anxiety of (someone)88
12485921994reclamationreclaiming; reformation, recovery. (or it can be land obtained from water)89
12485921995SanctionApproval or permission for an action90
12485921996DubiousNot to be relied upon; suspect (hesitating or doubting)91
12485921997Fabricatedinvent or concoct (something), typically with deceitful intent92
12485921998Hypocrisythe practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform; pretense93
12485921999Slandermake false and damaging statements about (someone).94
12485922000spuriousnot being what it purports to be; false or fake95
12485922001Astutehaving or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage96
12485922002clandestineoperation is an intelligence or millitary operation carried out in such a way that the operation goes unnoticed by the general population97
12485922003disingenuousnot candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does.98
12485922004rusean action intended to deceive someone; a trick99
12485922005stratagema plan or scheme, especially one used to outwit an opponent or achieve an end100
12485922006surreptitiouskept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.101
12485922007waryfeeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems102
12485922008wilyskilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully.103
12485922009inconsequentialnot important or significant104
12485922010superficialexisting or occurring at or on the surface. (appearing to be true or real only until examined more closely).105
12485922011tenuousvery weak or slight >( small in degree).106
12485922012trivialof little value or importance107
12485922013coupa sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.108
12485922014Ambiguous(of language) open to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning.109
12485922015ambivalenthaving mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.110
12485922016apatheticshowing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.111
12485922017Arbitrarybased on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.112
12485922018capriciousgiven to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior113
12485922019equivocateuse ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself.114
12485922020indifferenthaving no particular interest or sympathy; unconcerned.115
12485922021whimsicalplayfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way116
12485922022assiduousshowing great care and perseverance117
12485922023compellingevoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way118
12485922024diligenthaving or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties119
12485922025doggedhaving or showing tenacity and grim persistence.120
12485922026enduresuffer (something painful or difficult) patiently121
12485922027intrepidfearless; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect)122
12485922028maverickan unorthodox or independent-minded person123
12485922029obduratestubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action124
12485922030obstinatestubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so125
12485922031proliferateincrease rapidly in numbers; multiply126
12485922032tenacitythe quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly; grip.127
12485922033vitalitythe state of being strong and active; energy128
12485922034assimilationthe process by which a person or a group's language and/or culture come to resemble those of another group129
12485922035consensusgeneral agreement.130
12485922036contextthe set of facts or circumstances that surround a situation.131
12485922037derivedobtain something from (a specified source)132
12485922038incumbentnecessary for (someone) as a duty or responsibility.133
12485922039inevitablecertain to happen; unavoidable134
12485922040malleableeasily influenced; pliable135
12485922041subdueovercome, quieten, or bring under control (a feeling or person)136
12485922042Inoculatemedical : to give (a person or animal) a weakened form of a disease in order to prevent infection by the disease137
12485922043Lurid: causing shock or disgust : involving sex or violence in a way that is meant to be shocking : shining or glowing with a bright and unpleasant color138
12485922044Putrefyingto be slowly destroyed by natural processes : to rot and become putrid139
12485922045Somnolent1 : of a kind likely to induce sleep 2 a : inclined to or heavy with sleep : drowsy140
12485922046Dourserious and unfriendly : silent and gloomy141
12485922047Errantserious and unfriendly : silent and gloomy142
12485922048Bewildered1 : to cause to lose one's bearings 2 : to perplex or confuse especially by a complexity, variety, or multitude of objects or considerations143
12485922049Astroturfed—used for an artificial surface that resembles grass144
12485922050GeriatricAn old person y145
12485922051Tromped1 : tramp 1 2 : to step hard : stamp 146
12485922052Connoisseur: a person who knows a lot about something (such as art, wine, food, etc.) : an expert in a particular subject147
12485922053Attestingto show, prove, or state that something is true or real148
12485922054Soporific: causing a person to become tired and ready to fall asleep149

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