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AP Language Vocabulary Flashcards

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7105764989AnaphoraA rhetorical figure of repetition in which the same word or phrase is repeated in (and usually at the beginning of) successive lines, clauses, or sentences.0
7105764990MetonymyA figure of speech in which something is referred to by using the name of something that is associated with it1
7105764991AntithesisDirect opposite2
7105764992RhetoricFrom the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.3
7105764993Ad Hominem ArgumentAttacks the opposing speaker or another person rather than addressing the issues at hand4
7105764994AllegoryA story in which each aspect of the story has a symbolic meaning outside the tale itself.5
7105764995AllusionA reference to another work of literature, person, or event6
7105764996AnecdoteA brief narrative that focuses on a particular incident or event.7
7105764997EuphemismA mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing8
7105764998Colloquial LanguageSlang or common language that is informal9
7105764999DictionAn author's choice of words10
7105765000EthosAppeal to values, credibility11
7105765001PathosAppeal to emotion12
7105765002LogosAppeal to logic and reasoning13
7105765003ExpositionWriting or speech that is organized to explain14
7105765004ForeshadowingA hint of things to come15
7105765005HyperboleAn exaggeration16
7105765006JuxtapositionWhen two contrasting things are placed next to each other for comparison17
7105765007MetonymyA figure of speech in which something is referred to by using the name of something that is associated with it18
7105765008OxymoronTwo contradictory words in one expression19
7105765009ParallelismA literary technique that relies on the use of the same syntactical structures20
7105765010ParadoxA seeming contradiction that in fact reveals some truth21
7105765011PersonaThe character created by the voice and narration of the speaker of a text22
7105765012RepetitionThe reiteration of a word or phrase for emphasis23
7105765013Aristotelian TriangleAlso known as the Rhetorical Triangle. Includes subject, speaker, and audience.24
7105765014Rhetorical DevicesThe specific language tools that an author uses to carry out a rhetorical strategy (diction, imagery, or syntax).25
7105765015Rhetorical StrategyThe way an author organizes words, sentences, and overall argument in order to achieve a particular purpose26
7105765016Rhetorical QuestionA question that is asked for the sake of argument27
7105765017SatireTo ridicule or mock ideas, persons, events, or doctrines28
7105765018SyntaxArrangement of words in a sentence.29
7105765019ThemeCentral idea; not limited to one text (should be universal).30
7105765020ToneAuthor/speaker's attitude31
7105765021UnderstatementWhen an author assigns less significance to an event or thing than it deserves32
7105765022PersonificationThe assigning of human qualities to inanimate objects or concepts. An example: Wordsworth's "the sea that bares her bosom to the moon."33
7105765023Antithesisthe presentation of two contrasting images. The ideas are balanced by phrase, clause, or paragraphs. "To be or not to be . . ." "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times . . ." "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country . . ."34
7105765024OxymoronFrom the Greek for "pointedly foolish," ___ is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms. Simple examples include "jumbo shrimp" and "cruel kindness."35
7105765025Sarcasmfrom the Greek meaning "to tear flesh," ___ involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something. It may use irony as a device.36
7105765026Synecdoche. a figure of speech that utilizes a part as representative of the whole. "All hands on deck" is an example.37
7105765027Hyperbolea figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement38
7105765028Anaphorarepetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences in a row. This is a deliberate form of repetition and helps make the writer's point more coherent.39
7105765029Euphonythe pleasant, mellifluous presentation of sounds in a literary work.40
7105765030Metonomya term from the Greek meaning "changed label" or "substitute name" __ is a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it. For example: a news release that claims "The White House declared" rather than "The President declared"41
7105765031ParadoxA statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity.42
7105765032Onomatopoeiaa figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words. Simple examples include such words as buzz, hiss, hum.43
7105765033Cacophonyharsh and discordant sounds in a line or passage in a literary word.44
7105765034Metaphora direct comparison between dissimilar things. "Your eyes are stars" is an example.45
7105765035Symbolgenerally, anything that represents, stands for, something else. Usually, a ___ is something concrete—such as an object, action, character, or scene—that represents something more abstract.46
7105765036Invectivean emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.47
7105765037Understatementthe opposite of exaggeration. It is a technique for developing irony and/or humor where one writes or says less than intended.48
7105765038HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.49
7105765039PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish.50
7105765040ImageryThe sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. On a physical level, __ uses terms related to the five senses; we refer to visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, or olfactory. For example, a rose may present visual __ while also representing the color in a woman's cheeks.51
7105765041Euphemisma more acceptable and usually more pleasant way of saying something that might be inappropriate or uncomfortable. "He went to his final reward" is a common __ for "he died." They are also used to obscure the reality of the situation.52
7105765042Figure of SpeechA device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. Examples are apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, metonomy, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche, and understatement.53
7105765043IronyThe contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant. The difference between what appears to be and what actually is true.54
7105765044SatireA work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and convention for reform or ridicule. Regardless of whether or not the work aims to reform humans or their society, ___ is best seen as a style of writing rather than a purpose for writing. The effect of __, often humorous, is thought provoking and insightful about the human condition.55
7105765045AlliterationThe repetition of initial consonant sounds, such as "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."56
7105765046EpigraphThe use of a quotation at the beginning of a work that hints at its theme. Hemingway begins The Sun Also Rises with two. One of them is "You are all a lost generation" by Gertrude Stein.57
7105765047Periodic SentenceA sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end. The independent clause is preceded by a phrase or clause that cannot stand alone. The effect is to add emphasis and structural variety.58
7105765048NarrativeThe telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.59
7105765049Ethosan appeal based on the character of the speaker. An __-driven document relies on the reputation of the author.60
7105765050Situational Ironya type of irony in which events turn out the opposite of what was expected.61
7105765051ConsonanceRepetition of a consonant sound within two or more words in close proximity.62
7105765052Pathosan appeal based on emotion.63
7105765053Logosan appeal based on logic or reason64
7105765054Verbal IronyIn this type of irony, the words literally state the opposite of the writer's true meaning65
7105765055AnecdoteA story or brief episode told by the writer or a character to illustrate a point.66
7105765056Abstract LanguageLanguage describing ideas and qualities rather than observable or specific things, people, or places.67
7105765057Denotationthe literal or dictionary meaning of a word68
7105765058CumulativeSentence which begins with the main idea and then expands on that idea with a series of details or other particulars69
7105765059Dramatic IronyIn this type of irony, facts or events are unknown to a character in a play or a piece of fiction but known to the reader, audience, or other characters in the work70
7105765060ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.71
7105765061Connotationthe interpretive level or a word based on its associated images rather than its literal meaning.72
7105765062RepetitionThe duplication, either exact or approximate, or any element of language, such as sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern.73
7105765063SyntaxThe grammatical structure of prose and poetry.74
7105765064AssonanceRepetition of a vowel sound within two or more words in close proximity75
7105765065ArgumentA single assertion or a series of assertions presented and defended by the writer76
7105765066AllusionA reference contained in a work77
7105765067Parallelismrefers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity.78
7105765068Analogya literary device employed to serve as a basis for comparison. It is assumed that what applies to the parallel situation also applies to the original circumstance. In other words, it is the comparison between two different items.79
7105765069Figurative LanguageWriting or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.80
7105765070DescriptionThe purpose of this rhetorical mode is to re-create, invent, or visually present a person, place, event, or action so that the reader can picture that being described. Sometimes an author engages all five senses.81
7105765071Ethical AppealWhen a writer tries to persuade the audience to respect and believe him or her based on a presentation of image of self through the text.82
7105765072ExpositionThe purpose of this rhetorical mode is to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion.83
7105765073EllipsisIndicated by a series of three periods, the __ indicates that some material has been omitted from a given text.84
7105765074ArgumentationThe purpose of this rhetorical mode is to prove the validity of an idea, or point of view, by presenting sound reasoning, discussion, and argument that thoroughly convince the reader.85
7105765075Didacticwriting whose purpose is to instruct or to teach. A ___ work is usually formal and focuses on moral or ethical concerns.86
7105765076NarrationThe purpose of this type of rhetorical mode is to tell the story or narrate an event or series of events.87
7105765077Colloquialthe use of slang in writing, often to create local color and to provide an informal tone. Huckleberry Finn in written in a __ style.88
7105765078Antecedentthe word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers.89
7105765079Stylean evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices.90
7105765080ThesisThe sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or proposition.91
7105765081ChiasmusArrangement of repeated thoughts in the pattern of X Y Y X. It is often short and summarizes a main idea.92
7105765082Balancea situation in which all parts of the presentation are equal, whether in sentences or paragraphs or sections of a longer work.93
7105765083ToneSimilar to mood, __ describes the author's attitude toward his or her material, the audience, or both.94
7105765084Dialectthe recreation of regional spoken language, such as a Southern one. Hurston uses this in Their Eyes Were Watching God.95
7105765085AsyndetonCommas used (with no conjunction) to separate a series of words. The parts are emphasized equally when the conjunction is omitted; in addition, the use of commas with no intervening conjunction speeds up the flow of the sentence. X, Y, Z as opposed to X, Y, and Z.96
7105765086WitIn modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights. Usually uses terse language that makes a pointed statement.97
7105765087MoodThis term has two distinct technical meanings in English writing. The first meaning is grammatical and deals with verbal units and a speaker's attitude. The second meaning is literary, meaning the prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work.98
7105765088Dictionthe author's choice of words that creates tone, attitude, and style, as well as meaning99
7105765089PolysyndetonDeliberate use of many conjunctions in close succession, especially where some might be omitted. Hemingway and the Bible both use extensively. Ex. "he ran and jumped and laughed for joy"100
7105765090ToneA writer's attitude toward his or her subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language, and organization on the sentence and global levels.101
7105765091JuxtapositionPlacement of two things closely together to emphasize comparisons or contrasts102

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