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AP English Language and Composition Flashcards

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9541881949AllegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent and abstraction in addition to literal meaning.0
9541881950AntecedentWord, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.1
9541881951AntithesisOpposition or contrast of ideas through parallelism.2
9541881952AphorismTerse statement of unknown authorship which expresses a general truth or moral3
9541881953ApostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love.4
9541881954Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.5
9541881955ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.6
9541881956EuphemismEuphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.7
9541881957HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.8
9541881958InvectiveAn emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.9
9541881959Metonymya figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.10
9541881960AnaphoraA sub-type of parallelism, when the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.11
9541881961PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish12
9541881962Proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.13
9541881963SemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another.14
9541881964SyllogismFrom 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
9541881965SynecdocheA 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
9541881966SynesthesiaWhen one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.17
9541881967AnnotationExplanatory or critical notes added to a text.18
9541881968EpigramA brief witty statement.19
9541881969DigressionThe use of material unrelated to the subject of a work.20
9541881970Ellipsisthe omission of a word or several words necessary for a complete construction that is still understandable.21
9541881971Ad HominemDirected to or appealing to feelings or prejudices instead of to intellect or reason.22
9541881972AnachronismA person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.23
9541881973DidacticHaving an instructive purpose; intending to convey information to teach a lesson usually in a dry, pompous manner.24
9541881974FallacyAn incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.25
9541881975HubrisExcessive pride that often affects tone.26
9541881976Inductive ReasoningA method of reasoning in which a number of specific facts or examples are used to make a generalization.27
9541881977LitotesA form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.28
9541881978MotifA phrase, idea, or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in an essay or other discourse.29
9541881979Non SequiturA statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before.30
9541881980AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.31
9541881981JargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.32
9541881982DiatribeA forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.33
9541881983DogmaticInclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.34
9541881984PerniciousHaving a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.35
9541881985BellicoseDemonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.36
9541881986VoraciousCraving or consuming large quantities of food.37
9541881987ZealousHaving or showing zeal.38
9541881988TacitUnderstood or implied without being stated.39
9541881989InnuendoAn allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.40
9541881990LanguidDisplaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.41
9541881991ConsecrateMake or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.42
9541881992DyspepticOf or having indigestion or consequent irritability or depression.43
9541881993DoggerelComic verse composed in irregular rhythm.44
9541881994PetulantChildishly sulky or bad-tempered.45
9541881995InfidelA person who does not believe in religion or who adheres to a religion other than one's own.46
9541881996ExhortStrongly encourage or urge someone to do something.47
9541881997CloisteredKept away from the outside world; sheltered.48
9541881998VexMake (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters.49

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