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AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

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8503755916AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically.0
8503755917AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
8503755918AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
8503755919AphorismEarly to bed and early to rise help make a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. -Ben Franklin3
8503755920Apostrophe"Oh, Captain, my Captain, our fearful trip is done..."4
8503755921Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
8503755922ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor.6
8503755923Euphemismcorrectional facility = jail between jobs = unemployed7
8503755924HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
8503755925InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
8503755926Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
8503755927AnaphoraThe exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
8503755928PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
8503755929Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
8503755930SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words.14
8503755931SyllogismA deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.15
8503755932SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole.16
8503755933SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
8503755934ApologiaA written or spoken defense of one's beliefs and actions.18
8503755935EpigramA brief witty statement.19
8503755936DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
8503755937EllipsisThe omission of a word or several words.21
8503755938Ad HominemAttacking a speaker's character instead of to their argument.22
8503755939AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
8503755940DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
8503755941FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
8503755942HubrisExcessive pride that often brings about one's fall.26
8503755943AlliterationRepetition of consonant sounds, usually at the beginnings of words27
8503755944LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
8503755945ParadoxA statement or idea that seems contradictory but is in fact true.29
8503755946Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
8503755947AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
8503755948JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group.32
8503755949TaciturnNot talking much, reserved; silent, holding back in conversation.33
8503755950DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
8503755951PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
8503755952BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
8503755953VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
8503755954ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
8503755955TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
8503755956InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
8503755957LackadaisicalDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
8503755958ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
8503755959ChiasmusA 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
8503755960Loose SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come at the front of the sentence.44
8503755961PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
8503755962Periodic SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come toward the end of the sentence.46
8503755963ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
8503755964CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
8503755965SarcasmCaustic, bitter language--iterally means "to tear the flesh."49
8503755966Independent ClauseA complete sentence.50
8503755967Dependent ClauseIncludes a subordinate conjunction, such as because, while, etc.51
8503755968AllusionA reference to something (e.g., a book, a movie, an historical event) that is presumed to be well known to the audience.52
8503755969SatireA work that pokes fun human vices and follies in order to call attention to a larger problem.53
8503755970ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.54
8503755971Coup de GraceThe "death blow"--the culminating event in a bad situation.55
8503755972Coup d'EtatLiterally "blow to the state"--a violent overthrow.56
8503755973Faux PasA social misstep or inappropriate action.57
8503755974Laissez-FaireLiterally "allow to do"--letting things run their natural course; hands off.58
8503755975En MasseIn a body as a whole; as a group.59
8503755976ProprietaryCharacteristic of an owner of property; constituting property.60
8503755977ProprietyThe quality of behaving in a proper manner; obeying rules and customs.61
8503755978ImminentAbout to happen.62
8503755979EminentFamous, outstanding, distinguished.63
8503755980EgoAccording to Freud, the decision-making component of personality that operates according to the reality principle.64
8503755981SuperegoAccording to Freud, that facet of the psyche that represents the internalized ideals and values of one's parents and society65
8503755982IdLiterally the "It"--our base impulses, driven by selfishness and greed, for example.66
8503755983HamartiaA character's error in judgment that contributes to one's downfall.67
8503755984OrwellianThe manipulation of language and ideas to control and obstruct the truth.68
8503755985AutonomosIndependent, self-governing, not under the control of something or someone else.69

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