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AP Language Vocabulary (edited) Flashcards

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6818450776Ad Hominem ArgumentLatin for "to or against the person," this fallacy involves switching the argument from the issue at hand to the character of the other speaker0
6818450777Ad Populum (bandwagon appeal)This fallacy occurs when evidence boils down to "everybody's doing it, so it must be a good thing to do."1
6818450778AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning2
6818450779AllusionA direct or indirect reference to something that is commonly known. _____________ can be historical, literary, religious, or mythical.3
6818450780AmbiguityThe multiple meanings of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.4
6818450781AnalogyA similarity or relationship between two things. An ____________ can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with something more familiar.5
6818450782antecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun6
6818450783AntithesisA figure of speech that involves an opposition, or contrast, of ideas or words in a parallel construction.7
6818450784Appeal to False AuthorityThis fallacy occurs when someone who has no expertise on a subject is cited as an authority.8
6818450785ApostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction.9
6818450786Archaic DictionOld-fashioned or outdated choice of words10
6818450787AsyndentonOmission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.11
6818450788AttitudeA writer's position or emotion regarding the subject of the writing.12
6818450789CaricatureA representation in which the subject's features are deliberately exaggerated to produce a comic or grotesque effect.13
6818450790ConcessionAn acknowledgement that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable.14
6818450791ConnotationsMeanings or associations that readers have with a word beyond its dictionary definition. __________________ are positive or negative.15
6818450792ContextThe circumstances, atmosphere, attitudes, and events surrounding a text.16
6818450793CounterargumentAn opposing argument to the one a writer is putting forward17
6818450794ChiasmusA figure of speech based on inverted parallelism. It is a rhetorical figure in which two clauses are related to each other through a reversal of terms.18
6818450795AntimetaboleRepetition of words in reverse order. _______________ is a type of chiasmus, but not all chiasmus are a type of antimetabole.19
6818450796ColloquialismSlang or informality in speech or writing20
6818450797ClaimAlso called an assertion or a proposition, a claim states the argument's main idea or position. A ____________ differs from a topic or subject in that a claim has to be arguable.21
6818450798Claim of Factasserts that something is true or not true. Ex. Test scores accurately measure a student's success!22
6818450799Claim of Valueargues that something is good or bad, right or wrong. Ex. Video games are corrupting today's youth.23
6818450800Claim of Policyproposes a change. Ex. Legalize marijuana!24
6818450801Closed Thesisa statement of the main idea of the argument that also previews major points the writer intends to make. Ex. The three-dimensional characters, exciting plot, and complex themes of the Harry Potter series makes them legendary children's books.25
6818450802conceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or a surprising analogy between two dissimilar objects.26
6818450803Concrete detailSpecific details, facts, or examples used to support the main idea of a text.27
6818450804denotationThe strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word.28
6818450805dictionrelated to style, refers to the writer's word choices. Examples include, formal or informal, ornate or plain.29
6818450806didactichave the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially teaching moral or ethical principals30
6818450807ethosA speaker's expertise, knowledge, experience, sincerity, and common purpose with the audience are examples of how a speaker demonstrates they are credible and trustworthy.31
6818450808euphemisma more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts32
6818450809extended metaphora metaphor developed at great length33
6818450810homilyThis term literally means, "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.34
6818450811hyperbolea figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement35
6818450812imagerythe sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions36
6818450813inferto draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented. not directly stated.37
6818450814ironythe contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant; the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true.38
6818450815juxtapositionplacing dissimilar items, descriptions, or ideas closely together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast.39
6818450816logical fallacyA mistake in verbal reasoning. The reasoning must be potentially deceptive.40
6818450817metaphorA figure of speech using implied comparison of unlike things.41
6818450818expositionwriting that intends to inform and demonstrate a point42
6818450819narrationwriting that tells a story or relates a series of events43
6818450820descriptionwriting that creates sensory images, often evoking a mood or atmosphere44
6818450821argumentationwriting that takes a stand on an issue and supports it with evidence and logical reasoning45
6818450822onomatopoeiaa figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sound of words46
6818450823parallelism/parallel construction/parallel structurethe grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences or paragraphs to give structural similarity47
6818450824parodya work that closely imitates the style or content of another work with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule48
6818450825pathosa speaker's intent to inspire an emotional reaction in an audience49
6818450826personificationa figure of speech in which the author endows an inanimate object with human qualities or characteristics50
6818450827first person point of viewThe perspective from which a story is told. tells the story with the pronoun "I" and is a character in the story.51
6818450828third person limited omniscient point of viewUses "he," "she," and "it." the narrator presents the feelings and thoughts of only one character52
6818450829proserefers to fiction and nonfiction, is written in ordinary language and most closely resembles everyday speech.53
6818450830repetitionThe duplication of any element of language, such as sound, word, phrase, sentence, or grammatical pattern.54
6818450831rhetoricGreek for "orator" describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively55
6818450832logosemploys logical reasoning, combining a clear idea with well-thought-out and appropriate examples and details56
6818450833rhetorical appealsThe persuasive device by which a writer tries to sway the audience's attention and response to a given work.57
6818450834oxymorona paradox made up of two seemingly contradictory words58
6818450835personathe face or character that a speaker shows to his or her audience59
6818450836polemicAn aggressive argument that tries to establish the superiority of one opinion over all others. Ex. No concession to other arguments.60
6818450837polysyndetonThe deliberate use of multiple conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.61
6818450838propagandaThe spread of ideas and information to further a cause62
6818450839Qualifierwords used to temper a claim, making it less absolute Ex. usually, probably, maybe, in most cases, most likely63
6818450840schemeartful syntax; a deviation from the normal order of words64
6818450841second-hand evidenceevidence that is accessed through research, reading, and investigation65
6818450842tropeartful diction; a figure of speech such as metaphor, simile, hyperbole, metonymy, or synecdoche66
6818450843metonymya figure of speech in which something is represented by another thing that is related to it or emblematic of it.67
6818450844synecdochefigure of speech that uses a part to represent the whole. Ex. "All hands on deck!"68
6818450845ZeugmaThe use of a word to modify two or more words when it is appropriate to use only one of them or is appropriate to use each but in a different way. Ex. "To wage war and peace" or "On his fishing trip he caught three trout and a cold."69
6818450846rhetorical questiona question that is asked merely for effect and does not expect a reply70
6818450847satirea work that targets human vices and follies, or societal institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule71
6818450848similean explicit comparison, using "like" or "as"72
6818450849styleAn evaluation of a sum of choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices.73
6818450850syllogismA deductive system of formal logic that presents to premises--the first one called major and the second minor--that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.74
6818450851symbolAn object, action, character, scene, or idea that represents something more abstract.75
6818450852syntaxthe way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences76
6818450853themethe central idea or message of a work. should be expressed in complete sentences by combining the topic with a verb. Ex. Forgiveness is earned through sacrifice.77
6818450854thesisthe sentence or group of sentences that directly express the author's opinion, purpose, meaning or proposition.78
6818450855tonedescribes the author's attitude toward his or her material, the audience, or both.79
6818450856moodThe dominant impression or emotional atmosphere evoked by a text. Ex. Mood is how "you" feel after reading a text.80
6818450857transitiona word or phrase that links different ideas or effectively signals a shift from one idea to another.81
6818450858rhetorical strategiesA global term that refers to all the strategies an author can use. Ex. structure, purpose, style82
6818450859begging the questionA fallacy in which a claim is based on evidence or support that is in doubt. It "begs" a question whether the support itself is sound.83
6818450860false dilemmaIn this fallacy, the speaker presents two extreme options as the only possible choices.84
6818450861First-hand evidenceEvidence based on something the writer knows, whether it's from personal experience or observations.85
6818450862Hasty generalizationA fallacy in which a faulty conclusion is reached because of inadequate information. Ex. Smoking isn't bad for you; my aunt smoked a pack a day and lived to be 90.86
6818450863Hortative SentenceSentence that exhorts, urges, entreats, implores, or calls to action. Ex. "Let both sides explore what problem unite us..."87
6818450864occasionthe time and place a speech is given or a piece is written88
6818450865open thesisan _________ thesis is one that does not list all of the points the writer intends to cover in an essay. Ex. The popularity of the Harry Potter books demonstrates that both young and old readers value the fanciful world of wizardry.89

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