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AP Language Vocabulary Flashcards

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7745851671Ad 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
7745851672Ad 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
7745851673AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning2
7745851674AllusionA direct or indirect reference to something that is commonly known. Allusions can be historical, literary, religious, or mythical.3
7745851675AmbiguityThe multiple meanings of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.4
7745851676AnalogyA similarity or relationship between two things. An analogy can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with something more familiar.5
7745851677antecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun6
7745851678AntithesisA figure of speech that involves an opposition, or contrast, of ideas or words in a parallel construction.7
7745851679Appeal to False AuthorityThis fallacy occurs when someone who has no expertise on a subject is cited as an authority.8
7745851680ApostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction.9
7745851681Archaic DictionOld-fashioned or outdated choice of words10
7745851682AsyndentonOmission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.11
7745851683AttitudeA writer's position or emotion regarding the subject of the writing.12
7745851684CaricatureA representation in which the subject's features are deliberately exaggerated to produce a comic or grotesque effect.13
7745851685ConcessionAn acknowledgement that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable.14
7745851686ConnotationsMeanings or associations that readers have with a word beyond its dictionary definition. Connotations are positive or negative.15
7745851687ContextThe circumstances, atmosphere, attitudes, and events surrounding a text.16
7745851688CounterargumentAn opposing argument to the one a writer is putting forward17
7745851689ChiasmusA 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
7745851690AntimetaboleRepetition of words in reverse order. Antimetabole is a type of chiasmus, but not all chiasmus are a type of antimetabole.19
7745851691ColloquialismSlang or informality in speech or writing20
7745851692ClaimAlso 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
7745851693Claim of FactA claim of fact asserts that something is true or not true. Ex. Test scores accurately measure a student's success!22
7745851694Claim of ValueA claim of value argues that something is good or bad, right or wrong. Ex. Video games are corrupting today's youth.23
7745851695Claim of PolicyA claim of policy proposes a change. Ex. Legalize marijuana!24
7745851696Closed 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
7745851697conceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or a surprising analogy between two dissimilar objects.26
7745851698Concrete detailSpecific details, facts, or examples used to support the main idea of a text.27
7745851699denotationThe strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word.28
7745851700dictionrelated to style, diction refers to the writer's word choices. Examples of diction include, formal or informal, ornate or plain.29
7745851701didacticdidactic works have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially teaching moral or ethical principals30
7745851702ethosA 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
7745851703euphemisma more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts32
7745851704extended metaphora metaphor developed at great length33
7745851705homilyThis term literally means, "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.34
7745851706hyperbolea figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement35
7745851707imagerythe sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions36
7745851708inferto draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented. Inferences are not directly stated.37
7745851709ironythe contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant; the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true.38
7745851710juxtapositionplacing dissimilar items, descriptions, or ideas closely together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast.39
7745851711logical fallacyA mistake in verbal reasoning. The reasoning must be potentially deceptive.40
7745851712metaphorA figure of speech using implied comparison of unlike things. Metaphorical language makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought-provoking, and meaningful.41
7745851713mode of discourse: expositionwriting that intends to inform and demonstrate a point42
7745851714mode of discourse: narrationwriting that tells a story or relates a series of events43
7745851715mode of discourse: descriptionwriting that creates sensory images, often evoking a mood or atmosphere44
7745851716mode of discourse: argumentationwriting that takes a stand on an issue and supports it with evidence and logical reasoning45
7745851717onomatopoeiaa figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sound of words46
7745851718parallelism/parallel construction/parallel structurethe grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences or paragraphs to give structural similarity47
7745851719parodya work that closely imitates the style or content of another work with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule48
7745851720pathosa speaker's intent to inspire an emotional reaction in an audience49
7745851721personificationa figure of speech in which the author endows an inanimate object with human qualities or characteristics50
7745851722point 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
7745851723point of view--third person limited omniscientUses "he," "she," and "it." Limited omniscient--the narrator presents the feelings and thoughts of only one character52
7745851724proseProse refers to fiction and nonfiction. Prose is written in ordinary language and most closely resembles everyday speech.53
7745851725repetitionThe duplication of any element of language, such as sound, word, phrase, sentence, or grammatical pattern.54
7745851726rhetoricGreek for "orator" describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively55
7745851727logosemploys logical reasoning, combining a clear idea with well-thought-out and appropriate examples and details56
7745851728rhetorical appealsThe persuasive device by which a writer tries to sway the audience's attention and response to a given work.57
7745851729oxymorona paradox made up of two seemingly contradictory words58
7745851730personathe face or character that a speaker shows to his or her audience59
7745851731polemicAn aggressive argument that tries to establish the superiority of one opinion over all others. Ex. No concession to other arguments.60
7745851732polysyndetonThe deliberate use of multiple conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.61
7745851733propagandaThe spread of ideas and information to further a cause62
7745851734Qualifierwords used to temper a claim, making it less absolute Ex. usually, probably, maybe, in most cases, most likely63
7745851735schemeartful syntax; a deviation from the normal order of words64
7745851736second-hand evidenceevidence that is accessed through research, reading, and investigation65
7745851737tropeartful diction; a figure of speech such as metaphor, simile, hyperbole, metonymy, or synecdoche66
7745851738metonymya figure of speech in which something is represented by another thing that is related to it or emblematic of it.67
7745851739synecdochefigure of speech that uses a part to represent the whole. Ex. "All hands on deck!"68
7745851740ZeugmaThe 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
7745851741rhetorical questiona question that is asked merely for effect and does not expect a reply70
7745851742satirea work that targets human vices and follies, or societal institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule71
7745851743similean explicit comparison, using "like" or "as"72
7745851744styleAn evaluation of a sum of choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices.73
7745851745syllogismA 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
7745851746symbolAn object, action, character, scene, or idea that represents something more abstract.75
7745851747syntaxthe way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences76
7745851748themethe 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
7745851749thesisThe thesis statement is the sentence or group of sentences that directly express the author's opinion, purpose, meaning or proposition.78
7745851750tonetone describes the author's attitude toward his or her material, the audience, or both.79
7745851751moodThe dominant impression or emotional atmosphere evoked by a text. Ex. Mood is how "you" feel after reading a text.80
7745851752transitiona word or phrase that links different ideas or effectively signals a shift from one idea to another.81
7745851753rhetorical strategiesA global term that refers to all the strategies an author can use. Ex. structure, purpose, style82
7745851754begging 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
7745851755Either/Or (false dilemma)In this fallacy, the speaker presents two extreme options as the only possible choices.84
7745851756First-hand evidenceEvidence based on something the writer knows, whether it's from personal experience or observations.85
7745851757Hasty 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
7745851758Hortative SentenceSentence that exhorts, urges, entreats, implores, or calls to action. Ex. "Let both sides explore what problem unite us..."87
7745851759occasionthe time and place a speech is given or a piece is written88
7745851760open 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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