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AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

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8732684238AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically.0
8732684239AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
8732684240AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
8732684241AphorismEarly to bed and early to rise help make a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. -Ben Franklin3
8732684242Apostrophe"Oh, Captain, my Captain, our fearful trip is done..."4
8732684243Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
8732684244ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor.6
8732684245Euphemismcorrectional facility = jail between jobs = unemployed7
8732684246HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
8732684247InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
8732684248Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
8732684249AnaphoraThe exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
8732684250PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
8732684251Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
8732684252SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words.14
8732684253SyllogismA deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.15
8732684254SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole.16
8732684255SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
8732684256ApologiaA written or spoken defense of one's beliefs and actions.18
8732684257EpigramA brief witty statement.19
8732684258DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
8732684259EllipsisThe omission of a word or several words.21
8732684260Ad HominemAttacking a speaker's character instead of to their argument.22
8732684261AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
8732684262DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
8732684263FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
8732684264HubrisExcessive pride that often brings about one's fall.26
8732684265AlliterationRepetition of consonant sounds, usually at the beginnings of words27
8732684266LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
8732684267ParadoxA statement or idea that seems contradictory but is in fact true.29
8732684268Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
8732684269AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
8732684270JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group.32
8732684271TaciturnNot talking much, reserved; silent, holding back in conversation.33
8732684272DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
8732684273PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
8732684274BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
8732684275VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
8732684276ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
8732684277TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
8732684278InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
8732684279LackadaisicalDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
8732684280ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
8732684281ChiasmusA 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
8732684282Loose SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come at the front of the sentence.44
8732684283PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
8732684284Periodic SentenceA sentence in which the subject and verb come toward the end of the sentence.46
8732684285ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
8732684286CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
8732684287SarcasmCaustic, bitter language--iterally means "to tear the flesh."49
8732684288Independent ClauseA complete sentence.50
8732684289Dependent ClauseIncludes a subordinate conjunction, such as because, while, etc.51
8732684290AllusionA reference to something (e.g., a book, a movie, an historical event) that is presumed to be well known to the audience.52
8732684291SatireA work that pokes fun human vices and follies in order to call attention to a larger problem.53
8732684292ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.54
8732684293Coup de GraceThe "death blow"--the culminating event in a bad situation.55
8732684294Coup d'EtatLiterally "blow to the state"--a violent overthrow.56
8732684295Faux PasA social misstep or inappropriate action.57
8732684296Laissez-FaireLiterally "allow to do"--letting things run their natural course; hands off.58
8732684297En MasseIn a body as a whole; as a group.59
8732684298ProprietaryCharacteristic of an owner of property; constituting property.60
8732684299ProprietyThe quality of behaving in a proper manner; obeying rules and customs.61
8732684300ImminentAbout to happen.62
8732684301EminentFamous, outstanding, distinguished.63
8732684302EgoAccording to Freud, the decision-making component of personality that operates according to the reality principle.64
8732684303SuperegoAccording to Freud, that facet of the psyche that represents the internalized ideals and values of one's parents and society65
8732684304IdLiterally the "It"--our base impulses, driven by selfishness and greed, for example.66
8732684305HamartiaA character's error in judgment that contributes to one's downfall.67
8732684306OrwellianThe manipulation of language and ideas to control and obstruct the truth.68
8732684307AutonomosIndependent, self-governing, not under the control of something or someone else.69

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