AP Notes, Outlines, Study Guides, Vocabulary, Practice Exams and more!

AP Language Vocabulary Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
8816724649Ad 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
8816724650Ad 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
8816724651AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning2
8816724652AllusionA direct or indirect reference to something that is commonly known. Allusions can be historical, literary, religious, or mythical.3
8816724653AmbiguityThe multiple meanings of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.4
8816724654AnalogyA similarity or relationship between two things. An analogy can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with something more familiar.5
8816724655antecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun6
8816724656AntithesisA figure of speech that involves an opposition, or contrast, of ideas or words in a parallel construction.7
8816724657Appeal to False AuthorityThis fallacy occurs when someone who has no expertise on a subject is cited as an authority.8
8816724658ApostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction.9
8816724659Archaic DictionOld-fashioned or outdated choice of words10
8816724660AsyndentonOmission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.11
8816724661AttitudeA writer's position or emotion regarding the subject of the writing.12
8816724662CaricatureA representation in which the subject's features are deliberately exaggerated to produce a comic or grotesque effect.13
8816724663ConcessionAn acknowledgement that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable.14
8816724664ConnotationsMeanings or associations that readers have with a word beyond its dictionary definition. Connotations are positive or negative.15
8816724665ContextThe circumstances, atmosphere, attitudes, and events surrounding a text.16
8816724666CounterargumentAn opposing argument to the one a writer is putting forward17
8816724667ChiasmusA 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
8816724668AntimetaboleRepetition of words in reverse order. Antimetabole is a type of chiasmus, but not all chiasmus are a type of antimetabole.19
8816724669ColloquialismSlang or informality in speech or writing20
8816724670ClaimAlso 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
8816724671Claim of FactA claim of fact asserts that something is true or not true. Ex. Test scores accurately measure a student's success!22
8816724672Claim of ValueA claim of value argues that something is good or bad, right or wrong. Ex. Video games are corrupting today's youth.23
8816724673Claim of PolicyA claim of policy proposes a change. Ex. Legalize marijuana!24
8816724674Closed 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
8816724675conceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or a surprising analogy between two dissimilar objects.26
8816724676Concrete detailSpecific details, facts, or examples used to support the main idea of a text.27
8816724677denotationThe strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word.28
8816724678dictionrelated to style, diction refers to the writer's word choices. Examples of diction include, formal or informal, ornate or plain.29
8816724679didacticdidactic works have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially teaching moral or ethical principals30
8816724680ethosA 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
8816724681euphemisma more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts32
8816724682extended metaphora metaphor developed at great length33
8816724683homilyThis term literally means, "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.34
8816724684hyperbolea figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement35
8816724685imagerythe sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions36
8816724686inferto draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented. Inferences are not directly stated.37
8816724687ironythe contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant; the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true.38
8816724688juxtapositionplacing dissimilar items, descriptions, or ideas closely together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast.39
8816724689logical fallacyA mistake in verbal reasoning. The reasoning must be potentially deceptive.40
8816724690metaphorA figure of speech using implied comparison of unlike things. Metaphorical language makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought-provoking, and meaningful.41
8816724691mode of discourse: expositionwriting that intends to inform and demonstrate a point42
8816724692mode of discourse: narrationwriting that tells a story or relates a series of events43
8816724693mode of discourse: descriptionwriting that creates sensory images, often evoking a mood or atmosphere44
8816724694mode of discourse: argumentationwriting that takes a stand on an issue and supports it with evidence and logical reasoning45
8816724695onomatopoeiaa figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sound of words46
8816724696parallelism/parallel construction/parallel structurethe grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences or paragraphs to give structural similarity47
8816724697parodya work that closely imitates the style or content of another work with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule48
8816724698pathosa speaker's intent to inspire an emotional reaction in an audience49
8816724699personificationa figure of speech in which the author endows an inanimate object with human qualities or characteristics50
8816724700point 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
8816724701point of view--third person limited omniscientUses "he," "she," and "it." Limited omniscient--the narrator presents the feelings and thoughts of only one character52
8816724702proseProse refers to fiction and nonfiction. Prose is written in ordinary language and most closely resembles everyday speech.53
8816724703repetitionThe duplication of any element of language, such as sound, word, phrase, sentence, or grammatical pattern.54
8816724704rhetoricGreek for "orator" describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively55
8816724705logosemploys logical reasoning, combining a clear idea with well-thought-out and appropriate examples and details56
8816724706rhetorical appealsThe persuasive device by which a writer tries to sway the audience's attention and response to a given work.57
8816724707oxymorona paradox made up of two seemingly contradictory words58
8816724708personathe face or character that a speaker shows to his or her audience59
8816724709polemicAn aggressive argument that tries to establish the superiority of one opinion over all others. Ex. No concession to other arguments.60
8816724710polysyndetonThe deliberate use of multiple conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.61
8816724711propagandaThe spread of ideas and information to further a cause62
8816724712Qualifierwords used to temper a claim, making it less absolute Ex. usually, probably, maybe, in most cases, most likely63
8816724713schemeartful syntax; a deviation from the normal order of words64
8816724714second-hand evidenceevidence that is accessed through research, reading, and investigation65
8816724715tropeartful diction; a figure of speech such as metaphor, simile, hyperbole, metonymy, or synecdoche66
8816724716metonymya figure of speech in which something is represented by another thing that is related to it or emblematic of it.67
8816724717synecdochefigure of speech that uses a part to represent the whole. Ex. "All hands on deck!"68
8816724718ZeugmaThe 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
8816724719rhetorical questiona question that is asked merely for effect and does not expect a reply70
8816724720satirea work that targets human vices and follies, or societal institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule71
8816724721similean explicit comparison, using "like" or "as"72
8816724722styleAn evaluation of a sum of choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices.73
8816724723syllogismA 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
8816724724symbolAn object, action, character, scene, or idea that represents something more abstract.75
8816724725syntaxthe way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences76
8816724726themethe 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
8816724727thesisThe thesis statement is the sentence or group of sentences that directly express the author's opinion, purpose, meaning or proposition.78
8816724728tonetone describes the author's attitude toward his or her material, the audience, or both.79
8816724729moodThe dominant impression or emotional atmosphere evoked by a text. Ex. Mood is how "you" feel after reading a text.80
8816724730transitiona word or phrase that links different ideas or effectively signals a shift from one idea to another.81
8816724731rhetorical strategiesA global term that refers to all the strategies an author can use. Ex. structure, purpose, style82
8816724732begging 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
8816724733Either/Or (false dilemma)In this fallacy, the speaker presents two extreme options as the only possible choices.84
8816724734First-hand evidenceEvidence based on something the writer knows, whether it's from personal experience or observations.85
8816724735Hasty 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
8816724736Hortative SentenceSentence that exhorts, urges, entreats, implores, or calls to action. Ex. "Let both sides explore what problem unite us..."87
8816724737occasionthe time and place a speech is given or a piece is written88
8816724738open 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

Need Help?

We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.

If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.

Need Notes?

While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!