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AP Language Miscellaneous Vocabulary Flashcards

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8083326594AnaphoraA rhetorical figure of repetition in which the same word or phrase is repeated in (and usually at the beginning of) successive lines, clauses, or sentences.0
8083326595MetonymyA figure of speech in which something is referred to by using the name of something that is associated with it1
8083326596AntithesisDirect opposite2
8083326597RhetoricFrom the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.3
8083326598Ad Hominem ArgumentAttacks the opposing speaker or another person rather than addressing the issues at hand4
8083326599AllegoryA story in which each aspect of the story has a symbolic meaning outside the tale itself.5
8083326600AllusionA reference to another work of literature, person, or event6
8083326601AnecdoteA brief narrative that focuses on a particular incident or event.7
8083326602EuphemismA mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing8
8083326603Colloquial LanguageSlang or common language that is informal9
8083326604DictionAn author's choice of words10
8083326605EthosAppeal to values, credibility11
8083326606PathosAppeal to emotion12
8083326607LogosAppeal to logic and reasoning13
8083326608ExpositionWriting or speech that is organized to explain14
8083326609ForeshadowingA hint of things to come15
8083326610HyperboleAn exaggeration16
8083326611JuxtapositionWhen two contrasting things are placed next to each other for comparison17
8083326612MetonymyA figure of speech in which something is referred to by using the name of something that is associated with it18
8083326613OxymoronTwo contradictory words in one expression19
8083326614ParallelismA literary technique that relies on the use of the same syntactical structures20
8083326615ParadoxA seeming contradiction that in fact reveals some truth21
8083326616PersonaThe character created by the voice and narration of the speaker of a text22
8083326617RepetitionThe reiteration of a word or phrase for emphasis23
8083326618Aristotelian TriangleAlso known as the Rhetorical Triangle. Includes subject, speaker, and audience.24
8083326619Rhetorical DevicesThe specific language tools that an author uses to carry out a rhetorical strategy (diction, imagery, or syntax).25
8083326620Rhetorical StrategyThe way an author organizes words, sentences, and overall argument in order to achieve a particular purpose26
8083326621Rhetorical QuestionA question that is asked for the sake of argument27
8083326622SatireTo ridicule or mock ideas, persons, events, or doctrines28
8083326623SyntaxArrangement of words in a sentence.29
8083326624ThemeCentral idea; not limited to one text (should be universal).30
8083326625ToneAuthor/speaker's attitude31
8083326626UnderstatementWhen an author assigns less significance to an event or thing than it deserves32
8083326627PersonificationThe assigning of human qualities to inanimate objects or concepts. An example: Wordsworth's "the sea that bares her bosom to the moon."33
8083326628Antithesisthe presentation of two contrasting images. The ideas are balanced by phrase, clause, or paragraphs. "To be or not to be . . ." "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times . . ." "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country . . ."34
8083326629OxymoronFrom the Greek for "pointedly foolish," ___ is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms. Simple examples include "jumbo shrimp" and "cruel kindness."35
8083326630Sarcasmfrom the Greek meaning "to tear flesh," ___ involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something. It may use irony as a device.36
8083326631Synecdoche. a figure of speech that utilizes a part as representative of the whole. "All hands on deck" is an example.37
8083326632Hyperbolea figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement38
8083326633Anaphorarepetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences in a row. This is a deliberate form of repetition and helps make the writer's point more coherent.39
8083326634Euphonythe pleasant, mellifluous presentation of sounds in a literary work.40
8083326635Metonomya term from the Greek meaning "changed label" or "substitute name" __ is a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it. For example: a news release that claims "The White House declared" rather than "The President declared"41
8083326636ParadoxA statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity.42
8083326637Onomatopoeiaa figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words. Simple examples include such words as buzz, hiss, hum.43
8083326638Cacophonyharsh and discordant sounds in a line or passage in a literary word.44
8083326639Metaphora direct comparison between dissimilar things. "Your eyes are stars" is an example.45
8083326640Symbolgenerally, anything that represents, stands for, something else. Usually, a ___ is something concrete—such as an object, action, character, or scene—that represents something more abstract.46
8083326641Invectivean emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.47
8083326642Understatementthe opposite of exaggeration. It is a technique for developing irony and/or humor where one writes or says less than intended.48
8083326643HomilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.49
8083326644PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish.50
8083326645ImageryThe sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. On a physical level, __ uses terms related to the five senses; we refer to visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, or olfactory. For example, a rose may present visual __ while also representing the color in a woman's cheeks.51
8083326646Euphemisma more acceptable and usually more pleasant way of saying something that might be inappropriate or uncomfortable. "He went to his final reward" is a common __ for "he died." They are also used to obscure the reality of the situation.52
8083326647Figure of SpeechA device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. Examples are apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, metonomy, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche, and understatement.53
8083326648IronyThe contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant. The difference between what appears to be and what actually is true.54
8083326649SatireA work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and convention for reform or ridicule. Regardless of whether or not the work aims to reform humans or their society, ___ is best seen as a style of writing rather than a purpose for writing. The effect of __, often humorous, is thought provoking and insightful about the human condition.55
8083326650AlliterationThe repetition of initial consonant sounds, such as "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."56
8083326651EpigraphThe use of a quotation at the beginning of a work that hints at its theme. Hemingway begins The Sun Also Rises with two. One of them is "You are all a lost generation" by Gertrude Stein.57
8083326652Periodic SentenceA sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end. The independent clause is preceded by a phrase or clause that cannot stand alone. The effect is to add emphasis and structural variety.58
8083326653NarrativeThe telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.59
8083326654Ethosan appeal based on the character of the speaker. An __-driven document relies on the reputation of the author.60
8083326655Situational Ironya type of irony in which events turn out the opposite of what was expected.61
8083326656ConsonanceRepetition of a consonant sound within two or more words in close proximity.62
8083326657Pathosan appeal based on emotion.63
8083326658Logosan appeal based on logic or reason64
8083326659Verbal IronyIn this type of irony, the words literally state the opposite of the writer's true meaning65
8083326660AnecdoteA story or brief episode told by the writer or a character to illustrate a point.66
8083326661Abstract LanguageLanguage describing ideas and qualities rather than observable or specific things, people, or places.67
8083326662Denotationthe literal or dictionary meaning of a word68
8083326663CumulativeSentence which begins with the main idea and then expands on that idea with a series of details or other particulars69
8083326664Dramatic IronyIn this type of irony, facts or events are unknown to a character in a play or a piece of fiction but known to the reader, audience, or other characters in the work70
8083326665ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.71
8083326666Connotationthe interpretive level or a word based on its associated images rather than its literal meaning.72
8083326667RepetitionThe duplication, either exact or approximate, or any element of language, such as sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern.73
8083326668SyntaxThe grammatical structure of prose and poetry.74
8083326669AssonanceRepetition of a vowel sound within two or more words in close proximity75
8083326670ArgumentA single assertion or a series of assertions presented and defended by the writer76
8083326671AllusionA reference contained in a work77
8083326672Parallelismrefers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity.78
8083326673Analogya literary device employed to serve as a basis for comparison. It is assumed that what applies to the parallel situation also applies to the original circumstance. In other words, it is the comparison between two different items.79
8083326674Figurative LanguageWriting or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.80
8083326675DescriptionThe purpose of this rhetorical mode is to re-create, invent, or visually present a person, place, event, or action so that the reader can picture that being described. Sometimes an author engages all five senses.81
8083326676Ethical AppealWhen a writer tries to persuade the audience to respect and believe him or her based on a presentation of image of self through the text.82
8083326677ExpositionThe purpose of this rhetorical mode is to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion.83
8083326678EllipsisIndicated by a series of three periods, the __ indicates that some material has been omitted from a given text.84
8083326679ArgumentationThe purpose of this rhetorical mode is to prove the validity of an idea, or point of view, by presenting sound reasoning, discussion, and argument that thoroughly convince the reader.85
8083326680Didacticwriting whose purpose is to instruct or to teach. A ___ work is usually formal and focuses on moral or ethical concerns.86
8083326681NarrationThe purpose of this type of rhetorical mode is to tell the story or narrate an event or series of events.87
8083326682Colloquialthe use of slang in writing, often to create local color and to provide an informal tone. Huckleberry Finn in written in a __ style.88
8083326683Antecedentthe word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers.89
8083326684Stylean evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices.90
8083326685ThesisThe sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or proposition.91
8083326686ChiasmusArrangement of repeated thoughts in the pattern of X Y Y X. It is often short and summarizes a main idea.92
8083326687Balancea situation in which all parts of the presentation are equal, whether in sentences or paragraphs or sections of a longer work.93
8083326688ToneSimilar to mood, __ describes the author's attitude toward his or her material, the audience, or both.94
8083326689Dialectthe recreation of regional spoken language, such as a Southern one. Hurston uses this in Their Eyes Were Watching God.95
8083326690AsyndetonCommas used (with no conjunction) to separate a series of words. The parts are emphasized equally when the conjunction is omitted; in addition, the use of commas with no intervening conjunction speeds up the flow of the sentence. X, Y, Z as opposed to X, Y, and Z.96
8083326691WitIn modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights. Usually uses terse language that makes a pointed statement.97
8083326692MoodThis term has two distinct technical meanings in English writing. The first meaning is grammatical and deals with verbal units and a speaker's attitude. The second meaning is literary, meaning the prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work.98
8083326693Dictionthe author's choice of words that creates tone, attitude, and style, as well as meaning99
8083326694PolysyndetonDeliberate use of many conjunctions in close succession, especially where some might be omitted. Hemingway and the Bible both use extensively. Ex. "he ran and jumped and laughed for joy"100
8083326695ToneA writer's attitude toward his or her subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language, and organization on the sentence and global levels.101
8083326696JuxtapositionPlacement of two things closely together to emphasize comparisons or contrasts102

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