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AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

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6786478608AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically.0
6786478609AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
6786478610AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
6786478611Aphorisma pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as "Early to bed and early to rise help make a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. -Ben Franklin"3
6786478612Apostrophe"Oh, Captain, my Captain, our fearful trip is done..."4
6786478613Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
6786478614ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor.6
6786478615Euphemismcorrectional facility = jail between jobs = unemployed7
6786478616HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
6786478617InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
6786478618Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
6786478619AnaphoraThe exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
6786478620PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
6786478621Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
6786478622SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words.14
6786478623SyllogismA deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.15
6786478624SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole.16
6786478625SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
6786478626ApologiaA written or spoken defense of one's beliefs and actions.18
6786478627EpigramA brief witty statement.19
6786478628DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
6786478629EllipsisThe omission of a word or several words.21
6786478630Ad HominemAttacking a speaker's character instead of to their argument.22
6786478631AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
6786478632DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
6786478633FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
6786478634HubrisExcessive pride that often brings about one's fall.26
6786478635AlliterationRepetition of consonant sounds, usually at the beginnings of words27
6786478636LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
6786478637ParadoxA statement or idea that seems contradictory but is in fact true.29
6786478638Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
6786478639AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
6786478640JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group.32
6786478641TaciturnNot talking much, reserved; silent, holding back in conversation.33
6786478642DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
6786478643PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
6786478644BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
6786478645VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
6786478646ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
6786478647TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
6786478648InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
6786478649LackadaisicalDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
6786478650ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
6786478651ChiasmusA type of parallelism in which elements are reversed. "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."43
6786478652Loose SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come at the front of the sentence.44
6786478653PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
6786478654Periodic SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come toward the end of the sentence.46
6786478655ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
6786478656CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
6786478657SarcasmCaustic, bitter language--iterally means "to tear the flesh."49
6786478658Independent ClauseA complete sentence.50
6786478659Dependent ClauseIncludes a subordinate conjunction, such as because, while, etc.51
6786478660AllusionA reference to something (e.g., a book, a movie, an historical event) that is presumed to be well known to the audience.52
6786478661SatireA work that pokes fun human vices and follies in order to call attention to a larger problem.53
6786478662ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.54
6786478663Coup de GraceThe "death blow"--the culminating event in a bad situation.55
6786478664Coup d'EtatLiterally "blow to the state"--a violent overthrow.56
6786478665Faux PasA social misstep or inappropriate action.57
6786478666Laissez-FaireLiterally "allow to do"--letting things run their natural course; hands off.58
6786478667En MasseIn a body as a whole; as a group.59
6786478668ProprietaryCharacteristic of an owner of property; constituting property.60
6786478669ProprietyThe quality of behaving in a proper manner; obeying rules and customs.61
6786478670ImminentAbout to happen.62
6786478671EminentFamous, outstanding, distinguished.63
6786478672EgoAccording to Freud, the decision-making component of personality that operates according to the reality principle.64
6786478673SuperegoAccording to Freud, that facet of the psyche that represents the internalized ideals and values of one's parents and society65
6786478674IdLiterally the "It"--our base impulses, driven by selfishness and greed, for example.66
6786478675HamartiaA character's error in judgment that contributes to one's downfall.67
6786478676OrwellianThe manipulation of language and ideas to control and obstruct the truth.68
6786478677AutonomosIndependent, self-governing, not under the control of something or someone else.69

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