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AP Language and Composition Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
14322103276MetaphorA figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things. An implied comparison.0
14322110725SimileA stated comparison between two things that are usually unlike, but that have something in common. Expresses comparison using like or as.1
14322124935AllusionA reference to a historical or literary person, place, or event with which the reader is assumed to be familiar.2
14322133139HyperboleOverstatement or exaggeration for effect.3
14322136687OnomatopoeiaCreating or using words that imitate sounds.4
14322140710OxymoronA kind of "paradox", it has two successive (means side by side) words which apparently contradict each other.5
14322148924ParadoxA statement that seems contradictory but is actually quite true.6
14322164786PersonificationA figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to an object, an animal or an idea.7
14322170823SymbolAn object stands for an abstract idea8
14322196739AlliterationThe repetition of initial consonant sounds.9
14322201322ConsonanceRelated to alliteration, it is the repetition of consonant sounds in the middle or end of a series of words.10
14322219884AssonanceThe repetition of a vowel sound within words. Used to give musical quality.11
14322229411SynaesthesiaThe description of one kind of sense in terms of another.12
14322235548SyntaxGrammatical rules governing words order. A major determinant of literary style. changes in syntax can be used to control pacing, create suspense, create poetry, etc.13
14322256541ImageryLanguage in a literary work that invokes sense impressions by literal or figurative reference. These may not be mental "pictures", but may appeal to senses other than sight.14
14322274632DictionWord choice used in a literary work. May be formal/colloquial, abstract/concrete, literal/figurative. Leads to tone/mood.15
14322283505ToneVague critical term usually designating the mood or atmosphere of a work. Can also mean the author's attitude toward the reader (e.g. formal, intimate, pompous) or the subject matter (e.g. ironic, light, solemn, satiric, sentimental)16
14322309791MetonymyA figure of speech that replaces the name of one thing with the name of something else closely associated with it17
14322318909SynechdocheA special kind of metonymy in which something is referred to indirectly by naming some part of it.18
14322326219LitotesAn affirmation made indirectly by denying its opposite, usually with an effect of understatement.19
14322335332EuphemismSubstitution of mild, indirect, or vague term for one considered more harsh, blunt, or offensive.20
14322343083AnaphoraRepetition of a word or phrase repeated (usually at the beginning in successive lines, clauses or sentences.21
14322352415ApostropheRhetoric where the speaker addresses a dead or absent person, or an abstraction or inanimate object.22
14322360798ChiasmusFigure of speech in which the order of terms in the first of two parallel clauses is reversed in the second. May be a repetition of the same words. A-B-B-A pattern.23
14322381141Periodic SentenceA long sentence in which the completion of the syntax and sense is delayed until the end, usually after a sequence of balanced subordinate clauses. Causes suspense as the reader's attention is propelled forward to the end.24
14322391191TautologyTo repeat oneself without purpose. Useless repetition.25
14322397687AphorismStatement of general principle condensing much wisdom into a few words.26
14322402184AsyndetonThe omission or absence of a conjunction between parts of a sentence.27
14322408965PolysyndetonUsing several conjunctions in close succession, especially where some might be omitted.28

AP Language and Composition Terms Flashcards

10 terms from set 1-50

Terms : Hide Images
14659323852Ad HominemAn argument attacking an individual's character rather than his or her position on an issue. {Example: The politician has been unfaithful to his wives how can we trust him?}0
14659325347Anaphorathe repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of consecutive lines or sentences {Example: Martin Luther King Jr's I have a Dream speech repeats I have a dream}1
14659327126AntecedentThe word, phrase or clause to which a pronoun refers. {Example: Maria is the antecedent of her in the sentence; Maria brushed her hair}2
14659329608Aphorisma concise statement of a truth or principle {Example: Actions Speak louder then Words}3
14659330740Asyndetonthe omission or absence of a conjunction between parts of a sentence. {Example: Julius Caesar after a victory said; "I came. I saw. I conquered."}4
14659332320Balanced Sentencea sentence in which words, phrases, or clauses are set off against each other to emphasize a contrast. {Example: In Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address he said, All dreaded it, all sought to avert it"}5
14659335010ChiasmusA statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is structurally reversed. {Example: "I meant what I said and I said what I meant"}6
14659338005Cumulative Sentencea sentence in which the main independent clause is elaborated by the successive addition of modifying clauses or phrases {Example: Bees are an important part of nature, because they are pollinators.}7
14659340971DidacticHaving the primary purpose of teaching or instructing. {Example: Children's books are often didactic because they help teach kids morals.}8
14659342843Litotesa type of understatement in which an idea is expressed by negating its opposite. {Example: "Not bad" meaning good}9

AP Language Summer Terms Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
14683412557alliterationthe repetition of initial sounds in successive or neighboring words0
14683412558allusiona reference to something literary, mythological, or historical that the author assumes the reader will recognize1
14683412559analogyan explanation of how two seemingly differing things are similar2
14683412560anaphorathe repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of consecutive sentences.3
14683412561anecdoteA brief story focusing on a particular incident or event4
14683412562dictionthe word choice made by a writer5
14683412563hyperboleintentional exaggeration to create an effect6
14683412564imagerylanguage that appeals to one or more of the five senses7
14683412565inferencereasonable conclusions that can be drawn by the reader based upon text evidence8
14683412566juxtapositionplacing two elements side by side to present a comparison or contrast9
14683412567metaphora direct comparison of two different things10
14683412568oxymoronan expression that is self contradictory (e.g. Deafening Silence)11
14683412569parallelismthe purposeful use of sentences or clauses with similar syntactic structure12
14683412570rhetoricthe art of presenting ideas in a clear, effective, and persuasive manner13
14683412571similea comparison of two things using "like" or "as"14
14683412572syllogisma three-part deductive argument in which a conclusion is reached based on a major and minor premise (e.g. All men are mortal; Socrates is a man; therefore, Socrates is mortal)15
14683412573syntaxthe arrangement of words, phrases, and clauses in a sentence16
14683412574tonethe attitude of the writer towards the subject or audience17
14683412575understatementthe deliberate representation of something as being less significant than it actually is.18
14683416643satirethe use of humor to emphasize human weakness or imperfections in social institutions.19
14683422560parodya humorous imitation of a serious work20
14683425497euphemisman indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unplesant.21
14683428964didactichaving the primary purpose of teaching or instructing.22
14683431484connotationthe implied or associative meaning of a word.23
14683433863denotationthe literal meaning of a word.24
14683435769arguementa statement of the meaning or main point of a literary work.25
14683440131eulogya formal speech praising a person who has died26
14683441363ironythe use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning; or, incongruity between what is expected and what actually occurs27
14683445003rhetorical devicesliterary techniques used to heighten the effectiveness of expression28

AP Language and Composition Vocab Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
14682446106allegorya story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. ex: the tortoise and the hare0
14682446107analogya comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification. ex: as dead as a door nail1
14682446108metaphora figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. ex: snow is as white as a blanket2
14682446109parallelismthe use of successive verbal constructions in poetry or prose that correspond in grammatical structure, sound, meter, meaning, etc. ex: cooking, jogging and reading - to cook, jog and read3
14682446110satirethe use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. ex: the daily show4
14682724524alliterationthe occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words. ex: she sells sea shells by the sea shore5
14682724525anecdotea short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person ex: if you tell a story from something that happened earlier6
14682724526oxymorona figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction ex: "loving hate" "heavy lightness"7
14682724527similea figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid ex: strong as an ox / bright as the sun8
14682724528parodyan imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect. ex: "Spaceballs", Star Wars parody9
14682724529allusionan expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference. ex: "Don't act like a Romeo" -> Romeo and Juliet10
14682724530ironya literary technique, originally used in Greek tragedy, by which the full significance of a character's words or actions are clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character. ex: "this is nice weather" -> but a hurricane is happening right outside11
14682724531paradoxa statement or proposition that, despite sound (or apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, or self-contradictory. ex: I am nobody, you enemy's friend is your enemy12
14682724532puna joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words that sound alike but have different meanings. ex: the horse is very stable13
14682724533argumentthe main statement of a poem, an essay, a short story, or a novel that usually appears as an introduction or a point on which the writer will develop his work in order to convince his readers14
14682724534rhetorica technique of using language effectively and persuasively in spoken or written form15
14682724535colloquialisma word or phrase that is not formal or literary, typically one used in ordinary or familiar conversation. ex: old as the hills - penny-pincher16
14682724536rhetorical devicesa use of language that is intended to have an effect on its audience17
14682724537stylethe literary element that describes the ways author uses words18
14682724538ethos, pathos, logosrespectively, to appeal or persuade using ethics, emotion, or logic19
14682724539antithesisa rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect ex: man proposes, God disposes20
14684558937semanticsthe study and analysis of how language is used figuratively and literally to produce meaning ex: "destination" "last stop"21
14684558938juxtapositiontwo or more ideas, places, characters and their actions are placed side by side in a narrative or a poem for the purpose of developing comparisons and contrasts ex: when it rains, it pours22
14684558939defend, qualify, challengeTo be for an argument, to be against an argument, to be both for and against an argument.23
14684558940discoursebroad term used to refer to spoken and written language ex: narrative, argumentative24
14684558941connotationa meaning that is implied by a word apart from the thing which it describes explicitly ex: "he's such a dog", shamelessness / ugliness25
14684558942voicethe individual writing style of an author ex: character development, tone26
14684558943transitionare words and phrases that provide a connection between ideas, sentences and paragraphs ex: in fact, indeed, on the other hand27
14684558944toneattitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character28
14684558945denotationthe literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests.29
14684558946syntaxrefers to the way which words and sentences are placed together ex: "the boy ran hurriedly" -> "hurriedly, the boy ran"30
14684558947malapropisma use of an incorrect word in place of a similar sounding word that results in a nonsensical and humorous expression ex: "tantrum bicycle"......"tantum bicycle"31
14684558948nonsequituris a conclusion or reply that doesn't follow logically from the previous statement ex: "therefore bunnies are cuter than chipmunks"32
14684558949chiasmusa rhetorical device in which two or more clauses are balanced against each other by the reversal of their structures in order to produce an artistic effect ex: "my heart belongs to her"33
14684558950asyndetona writing style that omits conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses ex: "I came. I saw."34
14684558951polydetona stylistic device in which several coordinating conjunctions are used in succession in order to achieve an artistic effect ex: "we have ships and money and men and stores."35
14684600940archetypea typical character, an action or a situation that seems to represent such universal patterns of human nature ex: hero, villain, mother etc.36
14684600941pedanticsomeone who is concerned with precision, formalism, accuracy, minute details in order to make an arrogant and ostentatious show of learning ex: Big Bang Theory37
14684600942sarcasma literary and rhetorical device that is meant to mock with often satirical or ironic remarks with a purpose to amuse and hurt someone or some section of society simultaneously38
14684600943ellipsesa device that is used in narratives to omit some parts of a sentence or event, which gives the reader a chance to fill the gaps while reading it or acting it out39
14684600944euphemismrefers to polite, indirect expressions which replace words and phrases considered harsh and impolite or which suggest something unpleasant. ex: passed away instead of death40
14684600945anaphorathe repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses ex: "My life purpose. My life goal."41
14684600946platitudea trite or banal remark or statement, especially one expressed as if it were original or significant ex: "break a leg"42
14684600947dictionstyle of speaking or writing determined by the choice of words by a speaker or a writer ex: "Adieu" instead of "Goodbye"43
14684600948equivocationoccurs when a key term or phrase in an argument is used in an ambiguous way, with one meaning in one portion of the argument and then another meaning in another portion of the argument.44
14684600949hyperboleA figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point or evoke humor ex: my grandma is as old as the hills45
14684600950moodthe general feeling or atmosphere that a piece of writing creates within the reader ex: amused or blissful46
14684600951understatementa figure of speech employed by writers or speakers to intentionally make a situation seem less important than it really is47

AP Language and Composition Terms Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
14675159549Alliterationthe occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words ex: Slithering Snake0
14675159550Allusionan expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference. ex. "Don't act like a Romeo in front of her."1
14675159551Anadiplosisrepetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the following clause ex. grief leads to ANGER, ANGER leads to grief2
14675159552Anaphorarepetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines ex. I DO NOT KNOW who I am, I DO NOT KNOW where I am, I DO NOT KNOW what I am3
14675159553AnastropheInversion of the usual, normal, or logical order of the parts of a sentence ex. yoda! "you wish for life eternal"4
14675159554Antimetabolerepetition of words, in successive clauses, in reverse grammatical order ex. fair is foul and foul is fair5
14675159555Antithesisthe direct opposite, a sharp contrast (in ideas or actual things) ex. "you see with such color, yet your views are black and white"6
14675159556AphorismA brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life. ex. A barking dog never bites7
14675159557ApostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. ex. Mark Antony's address to the dead Caesar in Julius Caesar8
14675159558Appositiona word or phrase placed next to another word in order to define or identify it ex. "No one, not a SINGLE PERSON, comforted him"9
14675159559AssonanceRepetition of a vowel sound within two or more words in close proximity ex. Men sell the wedding bells10
14675159560Asyndetonomission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words ex. I came, I saw, I conquered11
14675159561Circumlocutionan indirect way of expressing something; talking in circles ex. the elongated yellow fruit-banana12
14675159562ClimaxMost exciting moment of the story; turning point ex. Murder of Simon in Lord of the Flies13
14675159563ConsonanceRepetition of a consonant sound within two or more words in close proximity ex. All's well that ends well14
14675159564Denotation and Connotationthe dictionary definition of a word/the associated feelings a word may call to mind ex. dalia- flower of Mexico or beauty15
14675159565DictionA writer's or speaker's choice of words ex. "casualties" vs "deaths"16
14675159566Ellipsisthe omission of a word or phrase which is grammatically necessary but can be deduced from the context ex. "I love coffee, my cat, and netflix"17
14675159567Epanalepsisdevice of repetition in which the same expression is repeated both at the beginning and at the end of the line ex. "COMMON sense is not so COMMON."18
14675159568EpistropheRepetition of the same word or group of words at the ends of successive clauses ex. "I hate the feeling of ANGER, the sight of ANGER, and the consequences of ANGER"19
14675159569Euphemisman inoffensive expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive ex. passed away vs died20
14675159570Extended metaphorA comparison between two unlike things that continues throughout a series of sentences or lines ex. "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts,"21
14675159571Figures of speechThe various uses of language that depart from customary construction, order, or significance ex. metaphors, similes, personification22
14675159572ForeshadowingA narrative device that hints at coming events; often builds suspense or anxiety in the reader ex. killing of pigs in lotf hinted at piggy's death23
14675159573Hyperboleexaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally ex. "I could eat a horse"24
14675159574ImageryDescription that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste) ex. The apple pie that sat on the windowsill was crisp and golden, the smell of cinnamon and apples wafted through the air25
14675159575Verbal ironyA figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant; sarcasm ex. "The rotten trash needs to go outside because it smells so unbelievably good."26
14675159576Situational ironyAn outcome that turns out to be very different from what was expected ex. When a fire station burns down27
14675159577Dramatic ironyWhen a reader is aware of something that a character isn't ex. Two people are engaged to be married but the audience knows that the man is planning to run away with another woman28
14675159578Malapropismthe unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar "Our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two AUSPICIOUS persons."29
14675159579MetaphorA comparison without using like or as ex. The snow is a white blanket30
14675159580MoodFeeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader ex. Mysterious: "Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary"31
14675159581Motivationthe reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way ex. Bill Gates donates a lot of money to charity because hes nice and has a lot of money32
14675159582Narrationwriting that tells a story ex. Little Red Riding Hood33
14675159583OnomatopoeiaA word that imitates the sound it represents. ex. meow, woof, moo34
14675159584OxymoronA figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase ex. deafening silence35
14675159585ParadoxA statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth. ex. he worked hard at being lazy36
14675159586Parallelismsimilarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses ex. like father, like son37
14675159587Periphrasissubstitution of a descriptive word or phrase for a proper name or of a proper name for a quality associated with the name ex. In the TV show "Dinosaurs" the infant dino called his father, "Not-the-Mama."38
14675159588PersonificationA figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes ex. Lightning danced across the sky39
14675159589PlotSequence of events in a story ex. exposition---rising action---climax---falling action---resolution40
14675159590Point of viewthe perspective from which a story is told ex. "I", "you", "she"41
14675159591PolysyndetonThe deliberate use of a series of conjunctions. ex. She ran AND ran AND ran42
14675159592ProsodyThe patterns of rhythm and sound used in poetry ex. ABCB in Ballads43
14675159593ProtagonistThe main character ex. Scout in tkam44
14675159594Puna humorous play on words ex. "I know its cheesy, but I feel grate"45
14675159595RepetitionRepeated use of sounds, words, or ideas for effect and emphasis ex. "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow."46
14675159596Rhetorical questionA question asked merely for rhetorical effect and not requiring an answer ex. "What business is it of yours?"47
14675159597RhymeRepetition of sounds at the end of words ex. Little Bo BEEP lost her SHEEP48
14675159598Sarcasmharsh, cutting language or tone intended to ridicule ex, "Nice perfume. Must you marinate in it?"49
14675159599Satirethe use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues ex. almost any late night shows (SNL)50
14675159600SettingThe time and place of a story ex. lotf- on an island, in the middle of war51
14675159601Shift or Turna change or movement in a piece resulting from an epiphany, realization, or insight gained by the speaker, a character, or the reader ex. Luke Skywalker finds out thag Darth Vader is his dad52
14675159602SimileA comparison using "like" or "as" ex. She hung her head like a dying flower53
14675159603Sound Deviceselements of literature that emphasize sound ex. alliteration, onomatopoeia, assonance54
14675159604Structurethe arrangement or framework of a sentence, paragraph, or entire work ex, haiku- 5 7 555
14675159605Stylethe choices a writer makes; the combination of distinctive features of a literary work ex. E.E. Cummings' literature56
14675159606Suspensea state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen. ex. the clock ticked, continuously57
14675159607SymbolA thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract ex. Tim Johnson and racism58
14675159608Synecdochea figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa ex. "all hands on deck"59
14675159609SyntaxThe arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language ex. sequence in sentences (Subject, Verb, Object)60
14675159610Themean underlying message about life or human nature that a writer wants the reader to understand ex. Tortoiseband the Rabbit- don't underestimate your opponents61
14675159611ToneAttitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character ex. playful :) , serious :| , frustration >:|62
14675159612Understatement (litotes)The presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is ex. "It isn't very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain"63

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