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AP Language Vocabulary Flashcards

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9918446822Ad 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
9918446823Ad 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
9918446824AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning2
9918446825AllusionA direct or indirect reference to something that is commonly known. Allusions can be historical, literary, religious, or mythical.3
9918446826AmbiguityThe multiple meanings of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.4
9918446827AnalogyA similarity or relationship between two things. It can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with something more familiar.5
9918446828antecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun6
9918446829AntithesisA figure of speech that involves an opposition, or contrast, of ideas or words in a parallel construction.7
9918446830Appeal to False AuthorityThis fallacy occurs when someone who has no expertise on a subject is cited as an authority.8
9918446831ApostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction.9
9918446832Archaic DictionOld-fashioned or outdated choice of words10
9918446833AsyndentonOmission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.11
9918446834AttitudeA writer's position or emotion regarding the subject of the writing.12
9918446835CaricatureA representation in which the subject's features are deliberately exaggerated to produce a comic or grotesque effect.13
9918446836ConcessionAn acknowledgement that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable.14
9918446837ConnotationsMeanings or associations that readers have with a word beyond its dictionary definition. Connotations are positive or negative.15
9918446838ContextThe circumstances, atmosphere, attitudes, and events surrounding a text.16
9918446839CounterargumentAn opposing argument to the one a writer is putting forward17
9918446840ChiasmusA 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
9918446841AntimetaboleRepetition of words in reverse order; a type of chiasmus, but not all chiasmus are antimetabole.19
9918446842ColloquialismSlang or informality in speech or writing20
9918446843ClaimAlso called an assertion or a proposition; states the argument's main idea or position. It differs from a topic or subject in that it must be arguable.21
9918446844Claim of FactA claim that asserts that something is true or not true. Ex. Test scores accurately measure a student's success!22
9918446845Claim of ValueA claim that argues that something is good or bad, right or wrong. Ex. Sugary candy is corrupting today's youth.23
9918446846Claim of PolicyA claim that proposes a change. Ex. Legalize underwater basketweaving!24
9918446847Closed 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
9918446848conceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or a surprising analogy between two dissimilar objects.26
9918446849Concrete detailSpecific details, facts, or examples used to support the main idea of a text.27
9918446850denotationThe strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word.28
9918446851dictionrelated to style, this device refers to the writer's word choices. Examples include, formal or informal, ornate or plain.29
9918446852didacticAn adjective describing something with the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially teaching moral or ethical principals30
9918446853ethosA 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
9918446854euphemisma more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts32
9918446855extended metaphora metaphor developed at great length33
9918446856homilyThis term literally means, "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.34
9918446857hyperbolea figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement35
9918446858imagerythe sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions36
9918446859inferto draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented. Inferences are not directly stated.37
9918446860ironythe contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant; the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true.38
9918446861juxtapositionplacing dissimilar items, descriptions, or ideas closely together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast.39
9918446862logical fallacyA mistake in verbal reasoning. The reasoning must be potentially deceptive.40
9918446863metaphorA figure of speech using implied comparison of unlike things that can make writing more vivid, imaginative, thought-provoking, and meaningful.41
9918446864mode of discourse: expositionwriting that intends to inform and demonstrate a point42
9918446865mode of discourse: narrationwriting that tells a story or relates a series of events43
9918446866mode of discourse: descriptionwriting that creates sensory images, often evoking a mood or atmosphere44
9918446867mode of discourse: argumentationwriting that takes a stand on an issue and supports it with evidence and logical reasoning45
9918446868onomatopoeiaa figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sound of words46
9918446869parallelism/parallel construction/parallel structurethe grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences or paragraphs to give structural similarity47
9918446870parodya work that closely imitates the style or content of another work with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule48
9918446871pathosa speaker's intent to inspire an emotional reaction in an audience49
9918446872personificationa figure of speech in which the author endows an inanimate object with human qualities or characteristics50
9918446873point of view--first personThe perspective from which a story is told, telling the story with the pronoun "I" and with the narrator as a character in the story.51
9918446874point of view--third person limited omniscientA perspective from which a story is told, using pronouns like "he," "she," and "they," in which the narrator presents the feelings and thoughts of primarily one character.52
9918446875proseA writing style (both fiction and nonfiction) that is written in ordinary language and most closely resembles everyday speech.53
9918446876repetitionThe duplication of any element of language, such as sound, word, phrase, sentence, or grammatical pattern.54
9918446877rhetoricGreek for "orator" describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively55
9918446878logosemploys logical reasoning, combining a clear idea with well-thought-out and appropriate examples and details56
9918446879rhetorical appealsThe persuasive device by which a writer tries to sway the audience's attention and response to a given work.57
9918446880oxymorona paradox made up of two seemingly contradictory words58
9918446881personathe face or character that a speaker shows to his or her audience59
9918446882polemicAn aggressive argument that tries to establish the superiority of one opinion over all others. Ex. No concession to other arguments.60
9918446883polysyndetonThe deliberate use of multiple conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.61
9918446884propagandaThe spread of ideas and information to further a cause, often misleading and for political purposes62
9918446885qualifierwords used to temper a claim, making it less absolute Ex. usually, probably, maybe, in most cases, most likely63
9918446886colloquialCharacteristic of ordinary conversation rather than formal speech or writing64
9918446887second-hand evidenceevidence that is accessed through research, reading, and investigation65
9918446888tropeartful diction; a figure of speech such as metaphor, simile, hyperbole, metonymy, or synecdoche66
9918446889metonymya figure of speech in which something is represented by another thing that is related to it or emblematic of it.67
9918446890synecdochefigure of speech that uses a part to represent the whole. Ex. "All hands on deck!"68
9918446891zeugma/syllepsisThe 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
9918446892rhetorical questiona question that is asked merely for effect and does not expect a reply70
9918446893satirea work that uses exaggeration targets human vices and follies, or societal institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule71
9918446894similean explicit comparison, using "like" or "as"72
9918446895styleAn evaluation of a sum of choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices.73
9918446896syllogismA 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
9918446897symbolAn object, action, character, scene, or idea that represents something more abstract.75
9918446898syntaxthe way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences; the formal term for sentence structure76
9918446899themethe 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
9918446900thesisthe sentence or group of sentences that directly express the author's opinion, purpose, meaning or proposition78
9918446901tonedescribes the author's attitude toward his or her material, the audience, or both.79
9918446902moodThe dominant impression or emotional atmosphere evoked by a text80
9918446903transitiona word or phrase that links different ideas or effectively signals a shift from one idea to another.81
9918446904rhetorical strategiesA global term that refers to all the strategies an author can use. Ex. structure, purpose, style82
9918446905Begging 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
9918446906Either/Or Fallacy (false dilemma)In this fallacy, the speaker presents two extreme options as the only possible choices.84
9918446907First-hand evidenceEvidence based on something the writer knows, whether it's from personal experience or observations.85
9918446908Hasty 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
9918446909periodic sentencetype of sentence that places the subordinate elements first with the main clause/primary point at the end of the sentence87
9918446910occasionthe time and place a speech is given or a piece is written88
9918446911open thesisA type of thesis statement 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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