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AP Language Vocabulary Flashcards

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9353704588Ad 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
9353704589Ad 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
9353704590AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning2
9353704592AmbiguityThe multiple meanings of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.3
9353704593AnalogyA similarity or relationship between two things. It can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with something more familiar.4
9353704594antecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun5
9353704595AntithesisA figure of speech that involves an opposition, or contrast, of ideas or words in a parallel construction.6
9353704596Appeal to False AuthorityThis fallacy occurs when someone who has no expertise on a subject is cited as an authority.7
9353704597ApostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction.8
9353704598Archaic DictionOld-fashioned or outdated choice of words9
9353704599AsyndentonOmission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.10
9353704600AttitudeA writer's position or emotion regarding the subject of the writing.11
9353704601CaricatureA representation in which the subject's features are deliberately exaggerated to produce a comic or grotesque effect.12
9353704602ConcessionAn acknowledgement that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable.13
9353704603ConnotationsMeanings or associations that readers have with a word beyond its dictionary definition. They are positive or negative.14
9353704604ContextThe circumstances, atmosphere, attitudes, and events surrounding a text.15
9353704605CounterargumentAn opposing argument to the one a writer is putting forward16
9353704606ChiasmusA 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.17
9353704607AntimetaboleRepetition of words in reverse order. It can be a type of chiasmus, but not all chiasmus are a type of it.18
9353704608ColloquialismSlang or informality in speech or writing19
9353704611Claim of ValueArgues that something is good or bad, right or wrong. Ex. Video games are corrupting today's youth.20
9353704612Claim of PolicyProposes a change. Ex. Legalize marijuana!21
9353704614conceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or a surprising analogy between two dissimilar objects.22
9353704617dictionrelated to style, refers to the writer's word choices. Examples include, formal or informal, ornate or plain.23
9353704618didacticHave the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially teaching moral or ethical principals24
9353704619ethosA speaker's expertise, knowledge, experience, sincerity, and common purpose with the audience are examples of how a speaker demonstrates they are credible and trustworthy.25
9353704620euphemisma more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts26
9353704622homilyThis term literally means, "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.27
9353704627juxtapositionplacing dissimilar items, descriptions, or ideas closely together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast.28
9353704628logical fallacyA mistake in verbal reasoning. The reasoning must be potentially deceptive.29
9353704630mode of discourse: expositionwriting that intends to inform and demonstrate a point30
9353704631mode of discourse: narrationwriting that tells a story or relates a series of events31
9353704632mode of discourse: descriptionwriting that creates sensory images, often evoking a mood or atmosphere32
9353704633mode of discourse: argumentationwriting that takes a stand on an issue and supports it with evidence and logical reasoning33
9353704634onomatopoeiaa figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sound of words34
9353704635parallelism/parallel construction/parallel structurethe grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences or paragraphs to give structural similarity35
9353704636parodya work that closely imitates the style or content of another work with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule36
9353704637pathosa speaker's intent to inspire an emotional reaction in an audience37
9353704641proseRefers to fiction and nonfiction. Prose is written in ordinary language and most closely resembles everyday speech.38
9353704642repetitionThe duplication of any element of language, such as sound, word, phrase, sentence, or grammatical pattern.39
9353704643rhetoricGreek for "orator" describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively40
9353704644logosemploys logical reasoning, combining a clear idea with well-thought-out and appropriate examples and details41
9353704645rhetorical appealsThe persuasive device by which a writer tries to sway the audience's attention and response to a given work.42
9353704646oxymorona paradox made up of two seemingly contradictory words43
9353704648polemicAn aggressive argument that tries to establish the superiority of one opinion over all others. Ex. No concession to other arguments.44
9353704649polysyndetonThe deliberate use of multiple conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.45
9353704651Qualifierwords used to temper a claim, making it less absolute Ex. usually, probably, maybe, in most cases, most likely46
9353704652schemeartful syntax; a deviation from the normal order of words47
9353704654tropeartful diction; a figure of speech such as metaphor, simile, hyperbole, metonymy, or synecdoche48
9353704655metonymya figure of speech in which something is represented by another thing that is related to it or emblematic of it.49
9353704656synecdochefigure of speech that uses a part to represent the whole. Ex. "All hands on deck!"50
9353704657ZeugmaThe 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."51
9353704659satirea work that targets human vices and follies, or societal institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule52
9353704661styleAn evaluation of a sum of choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices.53
9353704662syllogismA 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.54
9353704664syntaxthe way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences55
9353704667tonetone describes the author's attitude toward his or her material, the audience, or both.56
9353704668moodThe dominant impression or emotional atmosphere evoked by a text. Ex. Mood is how "you" feel after reading a text.57
9353704670rhetorical strategiesA global term that refers to all the strategies an author can use. Ex. structure, purpose, style58
9353704671begging 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.59
9353704672Either/Or (false dilemma)In this fallacy, the speaker presents two extreme options as the only possible choices.60
9353704673First-hand evidenceEvidence based on something the writer knows, whether it's from personal experience or observations.61
9353704674Hasty 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 90.62
9353704675Hortative SentenceSentence that exhorts, urges, entreats, implores, or calls to action. Ex. "Let both sides explore what problem unite us..."63
9353704676occasionthe time and place a speech is given or a piece is written64
9353704677open thesisDoes 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.65
9353832913anastropheinversion or reversal of the usual order of words66
9353842875anthimeriathe substitution of one part of speech to another Ex. The thunder would not peace at my bidding.67
9361625436loose sentencea sentence in which the main idea is followed by a series of modifying clauses68
9361637045meiosisunderstatement69

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