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AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

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6819054767AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent and abstraction in addition to literal meaning.0
6819054768AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
6819054769AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
6819054770AphorismTerse statement of unknown authorship which expresses a general truth or moral3
6819054771ApostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love.4
6819054772Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
6819054773ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.6
6819054774Euphemisma more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.7
6819054775HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
6819054776InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
6819054777Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
6819054778AnaphoraA sub-type of parallelism, when the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
6819054779PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
6819054780Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
6819054781SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another.14
6819054782SyllogismFrom the Greek for "reckoning together," a syllogism is a deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.15
6819054783SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole or, occasionally, the whole is used to represent a part.16
6819054784SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
6819054785AnnotationExplanatory or critical notes added to a text.18
6819054786EpigramA brief witty statement.19
6819054787DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
6819054788Ellipsisthe omission of a word or several words necessary for a complete construction that is still understandable.21
6819054789Ad HominemDirected to or appealing to feelings or prejudices instead of to intellect or reason.22
6819054790AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
6819054791DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
6819054792FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
6819054793HubrisExcessive pride that often affects tone.26
6819054794Inductive ReasoningA method of reasoning in which a number of specific facts or examples are used to make a generalization.27
6819054795LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
6819054796MotifA phrase, idea, or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in an essay or other discourse.29
6819054797Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
6819054798AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
6819054799JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.32
6819054800DiatribeA forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.33
6819054801DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
6819054802PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
6819054803BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
6819054804VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
6819054805ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
6819054806TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
6819054807InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
6819054808LanguidDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
6819054809ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
6819054810DyspepticOf or having indigestion or consequent irritability or depression.43
6819054811DoggerelComic verse composed in irregular rhythm.44
6819054812PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
6819054813InfidelA person who does not believe in religion or who adheres to a religion other than one's own.46
6819054814ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
6819054815CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
6819054816VexMake (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters.49

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