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AP Language Vocabulary Flashcards

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11329929052Ad 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
11329929053Ad 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
11329929054AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning2
11329929055AllusionA direct or indirect reference to something that is commonly known. Allusions can be historical, literary, religious, or mythical.3
11329929056AmbiguityThe multiple meanings of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.4
11329929057AnalogyA similarity or relationship between two things. An analogy can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with something more familiar.5
11329929058antecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun6
11329929059AntithesisA figure of speech that involves an opposition, or contrast, of ideas or words in a parallel construction.7
11329929060Appeal to False AuthorityThis fallacy occurs when someone who has no expertise on a subject is cited as an authority.8
11329929061ApostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction.9
11329929062Archaic DictionOld-fashioned or outdated choice of words10
11329929063AsyndentonOmission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.11
11329929064AttitudeA writer's position or emotion regarding the subject of the writing.12
11329929065CaricatureA representation in which the subject's features are deliberately exaggerated to produce a comic or grotesque effect.13
11329929066ConcessionAn acknowledgement that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable.14
11329929067ConnotationsMeanings or associations that readers have with a word beyond its dictionary definition. Connotations are positive or negative.15
11329929068ContextThe circumstances, atmosphere, attitudes, and events surrounding a text.16
11329929069CounterargumentAn opposing argument to the one a writer is putting forward17
11329929070ChiasmusA 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
11329929071AntimetaboleRepetition of words in reverse order. Antimetabole is a type of chiasmus, but not all chiasmus are a type of antimetabole.19
11329929072ColloquialismSlang or informality in speech or writing20
11329929073ClaimAlso called an assertion or a proposition, a claim states the argument's main idea or position. A claim differs from a topic or subject in that a claim has to be arguable.21
11329929074Claim of FactA claim of fact asserts that something is true or not true. Ex. Test scores accurately measure a student's success!22
11329929075Claim of ValueA claim of value argues that something is good or bad, right or wrong. Ex. Video games are corrupting today's youth.23
11329929076Claim of PolicyA claim of policy proposes a change. Ex. Legalize marijuana!24
11329929077Closed ThesisA closed thesis is a 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
11329929078conceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or a surprising analogy between two dissimilar objects.26
11329929079Concrete detailSpecific details, facts, or examples used to support the main idea of a text.27
11329929080denotationThe strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word.28
11329929081dictionrelated to style, diction refers to the writer's word choices. Examples of diction include, formal or informal, ornate or plain.29
11329929082didacticdidactic works have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially teaching moral or ethical principals30
11329929083ethosA 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
11329929084euphemisma more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts32
11329929085extended metaphora metaphor developed at great length33
11329929086homilyThis term literally means, "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.34
11329929087hyperbolea figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement35
11329929088imagerythe sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions36
11329929089inferto draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented. Inferences are not directly stated.37
11329929090ironythe contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant; the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true.38
11329929091juxtapositionplacing dissimilar items, descriptions, or ideas closely together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast.39
11329929092logical fallacyA mistake in verbal reasoning. The reasoning must be potentially deceptive.40
11329929093metaphorA figure of speech using implied comparison of unlike things. Metaphorical language makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought-provoking, and meaningful.41
11329929094mode of discourse: expositionwriting that intends to inform and demonstrate a point42
11329929095mode of discourse: narrationwriting that tells a story or relates a series of events43
11329929096mode of discourse: descriptionwriting that creates sensory images, often evoking a mood or atmosphere44
11329929097mode of discourse: argumentationwriting that takes a stand on an issue and supports it with evidence and logical reasoning45
11329929098onomatopoeiaa figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sound of words46
11329929099parallelism/parallel construction/parallel structurethe grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences or paragraphs to give structural similarity47
11329929100parodya work that closely imitates the style or content of another work with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule48
11329929101pathosa speaker's intent to inspire an emotional reaction in an audience49
11329929102personificationa figure of speech in which the author endows an inanimate object with human qualities or characteristics50
11329929103point of view--first personThe perspective from which a story is told. 1st person--tells the story with the pronoun "I" and is a character in the story.51
11329929104point of view--third person limited omniscientUses "he," "she," and "it." Limited omniscient--the narrator presents the feelings and thoughts of only one character52
11329929105proseProse refers to fiction and nonfiction. Prose is written in ordinary language and most closely resembles everyday speech.53
11329929106repetitionThe duplication of any element of language, such as sound, word, phrase, sentence, or grammatical pattern.54
11329929107rhetoricGreek for "orator" describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively55
11329929108logosemploys logical reasoning, combining a clear idea with well-thought-out and appropriate examples and details56
11329929109rhetorical appealsThe persuasive device by which a writer tries to sway the audience's attention and response to a given work.57
11329929110oxymorona paradox made up of two seemingly contradictory words58
11329929111personathe face or character that a speaker shows to his or her audience59
11329929112polemicAn aggressive argument that tries to establish the superiority of one opinion over all others. Ex. No concession to other arguments.60
11329929113polysyndetonThe deliberate use of multiple conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.61
11329929114propagandaThe spread of ideas and information to further a cause62
11329929115Qualifierwords used to temper a claim, making it less absolute Ex. usually, probably, maybe, in most cases, most likely63
11329929116schemeartful syntax; a deviation from the normal order of words64
11329929117second-hand evidenceevidence that is accessed through research, reading, and investigation65
11329929118tropeartful diction; a figure of speech such as metaphor, simile, hyperbole, metonymy, or synecdoche66
11329929119metonymya figure of speech in which something is represented by another thing that is related to it or emblematic of it.67
11329929120synecdochefigure of speech that uses a part to represent the whole. Ex. "All hands on deck!"68
11329929121ZeugmaThe 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
11329929122rhetorical questiona question that is asked merely for effect and does not expect a reply70
11329929123satirea work that targets human vices and follies, or societal institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule71
11329929124similean explicit comparison, using "like" or "as"72
11329929125styleAn evaluation of a sum of choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices.73
11329929126syllogismA 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
11329929127symbolAn object, action, character, scene, or idea that represents something more abstract.75
11329929128syntaxthe way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences76
11329929129themethe central idea or message of a work. Themes should be expressed in complete sentences by combining the topic with a verb. Ex. Forgiveness is earned through sacrifice.77
11329929130thesisThe thesis statement is the sentence or group of sentences that directly express the author's opinion, purpose, meaning or proposition.78
11329929131tonetone describes the author's attitude toward his or her material, the audience, or both.79
11329929132moodThe dominant impression or emotional atmosphere evoked by a text. Ex. Mood is how "you" feel after reading a text.80
11329929133transitiona word or phrase that links different ideas or effectively signals a shift from one idea to another.81
11329929134rhetorical strategiesA global term that refers to all the strategies an author can use. Ex. structure, purpose, style82
11329929135begging 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
11329929136Either/Or (false dilemma)In this fallacy, the speaker presents two extreme options as the only possible choices.84
11329929137First-hand evidenceEvidence based on something the writer knows, whether it's from personal experience or observations.85
11329929138Hasty 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
11329929139Hortative SentenceSentence that exhorts, urges, entreats, implores, or calls to action. Ex. "Let both sides explore what problem unite us..."87
11329929140occasionthe time and place a speech is given or a piece is written88
11329929141open thesisan open 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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