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AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

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9627122084AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically.0
9627122085AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
9627122086AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
9627122087AphorismEarly to bed and early to rise help make a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. -Ben Franklin3
9627122088Apostrophe"Oh, Captain, my Captain, our fearful trip is done..."4
9627122089Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
9627122090ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor.6
9627122091Euphemismcorrectional facility = jail between jobs = unemployed7
9627122092HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
9627122093InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
9627122094Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
9627122095AnaphoraThe exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
9627122096PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
9627122097Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
9627122098SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words.14
9627122099SyllogismA deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.15
9627122100SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole.16
9627122101SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
9627122102ApologiaA written or spoken defense of one's beliefs and actions.18
9627122103EpigramA brief witty statement.19
9627122104DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
9627122105EllipsisThe omission of a word or several words.21
9627122106Ad HominemAttacking a speaker's character instead of to their argument.22
9627122107AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
9627122108DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
9627122109FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
9627122110HubrisExcessive pride that often brings about one's fall.26
9627122111AlliterationRepetition of consonant sounds, usually at the beginnings of words27
9627122112LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
9627122113ParadoxA statement or idea that seems contradictory but is in fact true.29
9627122114Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
9627122115AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
9627122116JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group.32
9627122117TaciturnNot talking much, reserved; silent, holding back in conversation.33
9627122118DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
9627122119PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
9627122120BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
9627122121VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
9627122122ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
9627122123TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
9627122124InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
9627122125LackadaisicalDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
9627122126ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
9627122127ChiasmusA 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
9627122128Loose SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come at the front of the sentence.44
9627122129PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
9627122130Periodic SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come toward the end of the sentence.46
9627122131ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
9627122132CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
9627122133SarcasmCaustic, bitter language--iterally means "to tear the flesh."49
9627122134Independent ClauseA complete sentence.50
9627122135Dependent ClauseIncludes a subordinate conjunction, such as because, while, etc.51
9627122136AllusionA reference to something (e.g., a book, a movie, an historical event) that is presumed to be well known to the audience.52
9627122137SatireA work that pokes fun human vices and follies in order to call attention to a larger problem.53
9627122138ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.54
9627122139Coup de GraceThe "death blow"--the culminating event in a bad situation.55
9627122140Coup d'EtatLiterally "blow to the state"--a violent overthrow.56
9627122141Faux PasA social misstep or inappropriate action.57
9627122142Laissez-FaireLiterally "allow to do"--letting things run their natural course; hands off.58
9627122143En MasseIn a body as a whole; as a group.59
9627122144ProprietaryCharacteristic of an owner of property; constituting property.60
9627122145ProprietyThe quality of behaving in a proper manner; obeying rules and customs.61
9627122146ImminentAbout to happen.62
9627122147EminentFamous, outstanding, distinguished.63
9627122148EgoAccording to Freud, the decision-making component of personality that operates according to the reality principle.64
9627122149SuperegoAccording to Freud, that facet of the psyche that represents the internalized ideals and values of one's parents and society65
9627122150IdLiterally the "It"--our base impulses, driven by selfishness and greed, for example.66
9627122151HamartiaA character's error in judgment that contributes to one's downfall.67
9627122152OrwellianThe manipulation of language and ideas to control and obstruct the truth.68
9627122153AutonomosIndependent, self-governing, not under the control of something or someone else.69

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