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AP Language and Composition Tropes Flashcards

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5813343619TropeAny artful variation from the typical expressions of ideas or words.0
5813353860SynecdocheA part of something is used to refer to the whole.1
5813353861MetonymyAn entity is referred to by one of its attributes.2
5813355764PersonificationInanimate objects are given human characteristics.3
5813355765PunA word that suggests two of its meanings or the meaning of a homonym.4
5813355766AnthimeriaOne part of speech, usually a verb, substitutes for another, usually a noun.5
5813357051OnomatopoeiaSounds of the words used are related to their meaning.6
5813357052HyperboleAn ironic overstatement.7
5813357053LitotesAn ironic understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary.8
5813357921IronyWords are meant to convey the opposite of their literal meaning.9
5813357922OxymoronWords that have apparently contradictory meanings are placed near each other.10
5813358537Rhetorical QuestionA question is designed not to secure an answer but to move the development of an idea forward and suggest a point11

AP Language Rhetorical Terms 1-20 Flashcards

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7093157535AlliterationThe repetition of sounds, especially initial consonants in two or more neighboring words (as in "she sells sea shells). The repetition can reinforce meaning, unify ideas, supply a musical sound, and/or echo the sense of the passage.0
7093157536AnadiplosisIt refers to the repetition of a word or words in successive clauses in such a way that the second clause starts with the same word which marks the end of the previous clause. Ex. "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. I sense much fear from you." - Yoda, Star Wars1
7093157537AnaphoraOne of the devices of repetition, in which the same expression (word or words) is repeated at the beginning of two or more lines, clauses, or sentences. Ex. "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times." - Dickens2
7093157538Anecdote -A short narrative detailing particulars of an interesting episode or event. The term most frequently refers to an incident in the life of a person.3
7093157539AntecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.4
7093157540AntithesisFigure of balance in which two contrasting ideas are intentionally juxtaposed, usually through parallel structure; a contrasting of opposing ideas in adjacent phrases, clauses, or sentences. "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind" - Neil Armstrong5
7093157541Aphorism -A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle. Ex. A watched pot never boils.6
7093157542Apostrophe -A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. It is an address to someone or something that cannot answer. The effect is to give vent to or display intense emotion, which can no longer be held back.7
7093157543Assonance-The repetition of the sound of a vowel or diphthong in nonrhyming stressed syllables near enough to each other for the echo to be discernible.8
7093157544Asyndetonconsists of omitting conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses. This can give the effect of unpremeditated multiplicity, of an extemporaneous rather than a labored account. Ex. "I came. I saw. I conquered."9
7093157545Cacophony -The use of words with sharp, harsh, hissing and unmelodious sounds primarily those of consonants to achieve desired results. Ex. "We will have no truce or parley with you and your grisly gang who work your wicked will." - Winston Churchill10
7093157546ChiasmusA figure of speech in which two successive phrases or clauses are parallel in syntax, but reverse the order of the analogous words. Ex. "The land was ours before we were the land's" - Robert Frost (N, V, Pro: Pro, V, N)11
7093157547Clause -A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb and can sand alone as a sentence. A dependent or subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent clause.12
7093157548Colloquial/colloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing. Not generally acceptable for formal writing, as they give a work a conversational, familiar tone. In writing they include local or regional dialects. Ex. A dime, a dozen"13
7093157549Conceit -A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects. Displays intellectual cleverness as a result of the unusual comparison being made.14
7093157550DidacticFrom the Greek, it literally means "teaching." These works have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles.15
7093157551Ellipsis -The deliberate omission of a word from prose done for effect by author.16
7093157552HyperboleA figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement.17
7093157553Irony/ironic -The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant. The difference between what appears to be and what actually is true. In general, there are three major types used in language.18
7093157554JuxtapositionWhen two words, phrases, images, ideas are placed close together or side by side for comparison or contrast. Ex. Summer and Winter19

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

AP Language and Composition Rhetorical Modes Flashcards

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5766168987a method of development used by a writer to organize a textWhat is the definition of rhetorical mode?0
5766170356Narration and Description, Process Analysis, Compare and Contrast, Division and Classification, Definition, Cause and Effect, and Persuasion and ArgumentWhat are the types of rhetorical modes?1
5766178976narration tells a story; description evokes the sensesWhat is the definition of narration and description?2
5766183676used to introduce or show a complex subject, to analyze an issue or theme, or to shed light on a subject (like writers of autobiographies, fiction, and history do)What is the purpose of narration and description?3
5766190728divides a process into partsWhat is the definition of process analysis?4
5766191970used to produce information about something or give directions on how to do somethingWhat is the purpose of process analysis?5
5766195776explains the similarities and differences between two or more thingsWhat is the definition of compare and contrast?6
5766199977used to explore the relationship between things in the same class (jazz musicians and classical musicians), or explore the relationship among things from different classes (the human body and a machine)What is the purpose of compare and contrast?7
5766209198dividing means to separate something into sections (ex. city can be divided into neighborhoods); classifying means to place examples of something into categories or classes (ex. restaurants can be cheap, moderately expensive, or very expensive)What is the definition of division and classification?8
5766217496used to explain, entertain, or persuadeWhat is the purpose of division and classification?9
5766219759expands on and examines the essential qualities of somethingWhat is the definition of definition?10
5766223965used to explain, entertain, inform, establish a standard (ex. healthy diet), persuade, or even define yourselfWhat is the purpose of definition?11
5766229160seeks to explain the causes of change and new developmentsWhat is the definition of cause and effect?12
5766231369used to explain why something happened or what might be likely to happen, to speculate (wonder or conjecture) about a topic (ex. What is "Mass Effect" such a popular video games?!), or to argue or prove a pointWhat is the purpose of cause and effect?13
5766243418explains and supports a statement of belief and attempts to persuade (using appeal to feelings and instincts) and/or argue (using appeal to intelligence)What is the definition of persuasion and argument?14
5766248624used to persuade others to support a cause or make a commitment, to try to get people to take action, change a situation, change attitudes, or behaviors, refute a theory, arose sympathy, stimulate concern, win agreement or favor, or provoke angerWhat is the purpose of persuasion and argument?15
5766269475it explores the relationship between things in the same class or group (ex. comparing dancers with dancers)What is a strict comparison?16
5766273214an imaginative comparison between two things in different classes that don't seen to be alike at all (ex. comparing computers to human brains or parts of an orchestra to different ingredients in food)What is a fanciful comparison?17
5766288570presenting all your info on one topic before bringing in information on the other topic (ex. Christian view of God then compare it to Hindu beliefs about different deities)In compare and contrast, what is a divided pattern?18
5766294921you can organize your essay by comparing point by point (ex. comparing 3 features of Christianity and Hinduism)In compare and contrast, what is an alternating pattern?19

Ap Language and Composition Frome Flashcards

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4818388066AllegoryAn extended NARRATIVE in PROSE or VERSE in which Characters , events, and settings represent abstract qualities and in which the writer intends a second meaning to be read beneath the surface story. The underlying meaning may be moral, religious, political, social, or satiric. The characters are often PERSONIFICATIONS of such abstractions as greed, envy, hope, charity, or fortitude.0
4818388067AlliterationThe repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words or writhing the words.1
4818388068AllusionA passing reference to historical or fictional CHARACTERISTICS, place, or events, or to other works the writer assumes the reader will recognize.2
4818388069AmbiguityDouble or even multiple meaning. Unintentional ability is considered a defect in specific writing and wherever clarity is prized.3
4818388070AnachronismAn event, object, person, or thing that is out of its order in time. Anachronisms abound in Shakespeare.4
4818388071AnalogyA comparison of similar things, often for the purpose of using something familiar to explain something unfamiliar.5
4818388072AnecdoteA brief NARRATIVE of an entertaining and presumably true incident. Anecdotes are used in biographical writing, ESSAYS, and speeches to reveal a personality trait or to illustrate a point.6
4818388073AntecedentSomething that comes before. In the context of grammar the antecedent of a pronoun is the word that the pronouns stands for.7
4818388074Antithesis1. A figure of speech in which opposing or contrasting Ideas are balanced against each other in a grammatically parallel syntax.8
4818388075AphorismA terse statement of a principle or truth, usually an observation about life; a maxim. "The happiest women, like the happiest nations, have no history"9
4818388076ApostropheThe device, usually in poetry, of calling out to an imaginary, dead, or absent person, or to a place, thing, or personified abstraction either to begin a poem or to make a dramatic break in thought somewhere within the poem.10
4818388077ArchetypeA pattern or model of an action (such as lamenting the dead), a character type (rebellious youth), or and image (paradise as a garden) that occurs consistently enough in life and literature to be considered universal.11
4818388078ArgumentDiscourse intended to convince or persuade through appeals to on or to the emotions, the objective being to influence belief or motivate action.12
4818388079CanonGenerally, any group of writing that has been established as authentic; more specifically, those books of the Christian Bible that are accepted as scripture. This term is used to describe collectively those works of a particular author that have been proven or see considered genuine.13
4818388080CaricatureDescriptive writing that exaggerates specific features of appearance of personality, usually for a comic effect.14
4818388081Colloquial/colloquialismA word or phrase in everyday use in conversation an informal writing, but sometimes inappropriate in a formal essay15
4818388082ConnotationThe Associations, images, or impressions carried by a word, as opposed to the word's literal meaning. For example, the word mother literally "a female parent" but it usually connotes warmth, love, sympathy, security, and nature.16
4818388083DenotationThe precise, literal meaning of a word, without emotional associations or overtones17
4818388084DialectThe version of a language spoken by the people of a particular region or social group.18
4877768134DictionWord Choice. Two standards - not mutually exclusive - by which a speaker or writer's diction is usually judged: clarity and appropriateness19
4877774522DidacticPoetry, plays, novels, and stories whose primary purpose is to guide, instruct, or teach.20
4877777822DigressionA portion of speech or written work that interrupts the development of the THEME or PLOT.21
4877787375epiphanya moment of revelation or profound insight. Greek mythology- sudden revelation to a human being of the hidden or disguised divinity of a god or goddess.22
4877790612epithetan adjective or adjective phrase applied to a person or thing to emphasize a characteristic quality or attribute, such as "lily-livered coward" or "murmuring book"23
4877795083eulogya formal composition or speech in high praise of someone (living or dead) or something24
4877797281euphemisma mild expression substitute for one considered too harsh or improper.25
4877805648figurative languagelanguage that contains figures of speech such as metaphor, simile, personification, and hyperbole26
4877807071figure of speechexpressions, such as metaphors, similes, personifications, that make comparisons or associations meant to be taken imaginatively rather than literally27
4877809849hyperboleobvious, extravagant exaggeration or overstatement, not intended to be taken literally, but used figuratively to create humor or emphasis28
4877812866imagerythe making of "pictures with words". Synonymous with figure of speech or figurative language.29
4877816337incongruitythe quality of being inharmonious or incompatible or inconsistent30
4877819138inference/infera general conclusion drawn from particulars31
4877820372ironythe recognition of the incongruity or difference, between reality and appearance. Verbal is the contrast between what is said and what is meant. Situational irony refers to the contrast between what is intended or expected and what actually occurs. Dramatic occurs when a character unwittingly makes a remark that the audience is intended to understand as ironic, or in contradiction to the full truth.32
4878297541Local colorThe use in writing of the physical setting, dialect, customs and attitudes that typify a particular region.33
4878297542MoodA prevailing emotional attitude in a literary work or in part of a work. Mood is the authors attitude toward the subject or the theme34
4878297543Metaphor(Extended, dead, mixed) a figure of speech, and implied analogy in which one thing is imaginatively compared to or identified with another dissimilar thing. Extended is sustained throughout the work and functions as a controlling imagine. Dead is one that has been used so often it has ceased to be figurative and is taken literally. Mixed combines two or more inconsistent metaphors in a single expression, often resulting in unintentional humor.35
4878297544MetonymyA figure of speech that substitutes the name of a related object, person, or idea for the subject at hand.36
4878803650MotifIn literature, a recurring imagine, word, phrase, action, idea, object, or situation that appears in various works or the same work.37
4878803651NarrativeA recounting of a series of actual or fictional events in which some connection between the events is established or implied38
4878803652OxymoronA figure of speech in which two contradictory words or phrases are combined in a single expression, giving an effect of a condensed paradox39
4878803653ParableA short tale illustrating a moral lesson40
4878803654ParadoxA statement that, while apparently self-contradictory, is nonetheless essentially true.41
4878803655ParallelismThe technique of showing that words, phrases, clauses, or larger structures are comparable in content and importance by placing them side by side and making them in similar in form42
4878803656ParodyA composition that ridicules another composition by imitating and exaggerating aspects of its content, structure, and style, accomplishing in words what caricature achieves in drawing43
4878803657Pathetic fallacyA term coined by John Ruskin to criticize the use of personification, in which human emotions are attributed to nature.44
4878803658PlagiarismUsing another writer's ideas or words as one's own.45
4878803659Point of viewThe vantage point, or stance, from which s story is told, the eye and mind through which the action is perceived and filtered46
4878803660ProseAll forms of ordinary writing and speech lacking the sustained and regular rhythmic patterns found in POETRY.47
4878803661RhetoricThe art of persuasion, in speaking or writing.48
4878803662SarcasmHarsh, cutting, personal remarks to or about someone, not necessarily ironic.49
4878803663SatireA term used to describe any form of LITERATURE that blends ironic HUMOR and WIT with criticism for the purpose of ridiculing folly, vice, stupidity-the whole range of human foibles and frailties-in individuals and institutions.50
4878803664Stream of consciousnessA method and a subject matter of NARRATIVE FICTION that attempts to represent the inner workings of a Character's mind at all levels of awareness to recreate the continuous, chaotic flow, thoughts, memories, images, feelings, and reflections that constitute character's "consciousness"51
4878803665SynecdocheA FIGURE OF SPEECH in which a part of something stands for the whole thing.52
4878803666SymbolismThe conscious and artful use of SYMBOLS, objects, actions, or CHARACTERS meant to be taken both literally and as representative of some high more complex and abstract significance that lies beyond ordinary meaning53
4878803667SyntaxThe arrangement and grammatical relation of words, phrases, and clauses in sentences; the ordering of words into phrases, clauses, and sentences54
4878803668ToneThe reflection in a work of the author's attitude toward his or her SUBJECT, CHARACTERISTICS, and readers.55
4878803669UnderstatementA type of verbal IRONY in which something is purposely represented as being far less important than it actually is; also called meiosis56
4878803670VoiceA term used in LITERARY CRITICISM to identify the sense a written work conveys to a reader of its writer's attitude, personality, and character57
4878803671AffectTo assume, pretend to have, put on, imitate, fake58
4878803672AffectedArtificial, pretentious, unnatural59
4878803673Ethoscharacter, to demonstrate that they are credible and trustworthy. A speaker's reputation immediately60
4878803674LogosReason by offering clear, rational ideas. Ideas are supported logically with examples, fact, statistics, or expert61
4878803675PathosEmotion, using words with strong connotations, vivid concrete description, and figurative language62
4878803676CadenceRhythm, lilt, intonation, inflection, tone63
4878803677ClauseA grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb. Independent expresses a complete thought and can stand alone in a sentence.64
4878803678Subordinate clauseContains both a subject and a verb. Can not stand alone. It does not express a complete thought.65
4878803679HomilyMeans "sermon" but more informally it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.66
4878803680Loose sentenceA type of sentence in which the main idea comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses.67
4878803681Periodic sentenceA sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end.68
4878803682PendanticDescribes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish.69
4878803683Discourse or rhetorical modesDescribes the variety, the conventions, and the purposes of the major kinds of writing. 1. Exposition (expository writing) explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion. 2. Argumentation- to prove the validity of an idea, r point of view, by presenting sound reasoning, discussion, and argument that thoroughly convince the reader (persuasive) 3. Narration is to tell a story or narrate an event or series of events.70
4878803684SyllogismA deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.71
4878803685ThesisA group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position72

AP Language and Comp Rhetorical terms list #2 (homily - prose) Flashcards

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7858989943homilya serious talk, speech, or lecture involving spiritual or moral advice0
7858997212hyperboleliteral Greek word meaning "overshoot"; "Well now, one winter it was so cold that all the geese flew backward and all the fish moved south and even the snow turned blue." - "Babe the Blue Ox" (folk tale of Paul Bunyan)1
7859013096imagery"Outside, even through the shut window-pane, the world looked cold. Down in the street little eddies of wind were whirling dust and torn paper into spirals, and though the sun was shining and the sky a harsh blue, there seemed to be no colour in anything, except the posters that were plastered everywhere. The black mustachioed face gazed down from every commanding corner. There was one on the house-front immediately opposite. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU, the caption said, while the dark eyes looked deep into Winston's own." from 1984 by George Orwell2
7859033056inferTo draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.3
7859048564invective"A knave, a rascal, an eater of broken meats; a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, three-suited, hundred-pound, filthy worsted-stocking knave; a lily-livered, action-taking, whoreson, glass-gazing, super-serviceable, finical rogue; one-trunk-inheriting slave; one that wouldst be a bawd in way of good service, and art nothing but the composition of a knave, beggar, coward, pander, and the son and heir to a mongrel bitch: one whom I will beat into clamorous whining if thou deni'st the least syllable of thy addition." - William Shakespeare; King Lear, II.24
7859054084verbal irony"She is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me." - Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen5
7859070868situational ironyIn "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant, a woman borrows what she thinks is a costly necklace from a friend and loses it. She and her husband sacrifice to replace it, only to learn years later that the necklace was a fake.6
7859078425dramatic ironyIn Romeo and Juliet, Romeo thinks Juliet is dead, but the audience knows she is not dead.7
7859101099litotesGreek for "simple" ; "[Beowulf] raised the hard weapon by the hilt, angry and resolute - the sword wasn't useless to the warrior... " (Beowulf, line 1575)8
7859126523loose sentenceI arrived at the San Diego airport after a long, bumpy ride and multiple delays. You shouldn't use this type of sentence because it makes your writing sound weak. Use a periodic sentence instead.9
7859136513metaphor"Her mouth was a fountain of delight. And when he possessed her, they seemed to swoon together at the very borderland of life's mystery." - "The Storm" by Kate Chopin10
7859139019metonymyGreek for "substitute name"; "I'm mighty glad Georgia waited till after Christmas before it secedes or it would have ruined the Christmas parties." - Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell11
7859162942moodThe prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work.12
7859166387narrativeThe telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.13
7859196515onomatopoeia"I heard a Fly buzz - when I died -" Emily Dickinson14
7859202094oxymoronGreek for "pointedly foolish"; "No one goes to that restaurant anymore - It's always too crowded." - Yogi Berra15
7859215805paradox"There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind." - Catch-22 by Joseph Heller16
7859233624parallelism"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way..." - A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens17
7859256780anaphoraA sub-type of parallelism; "I have been one acquainted with the night. I have walked out in rain—and back in rain. I have outwalked the furthest city light. I have looked down the saddest city lane. I have passed by the watchman on his beat And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain." - "Acquainted with the Night" by Robert Frost18
7859269537parody"Word Crimes" by Weird Al Yankovich is a this of the song "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams19
7859306592pedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish (language that might be described as "show-offy"; using big words for the sake of using big words).20
7859328278periodic sentenceAfter a long, bumpy flight and multiple delays, I arrived at the San Diego airport. Use this type of sentence instead of a loose sentence21
7859348284personification"April is the cruellest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing Memory and desire, stirring Dull roots with spring rain." - from The Wasteland by T.S. Eliot22
7859363357first person point of viewtells the story with the first person pronoun, "I," and is a character in the story. This narrator can be the protagonist, a secondary character, or an observing character; The Great Gatsby or A Separate Peace23
7859392804third person limited omniscient point of viewin which the narrator presents the feelings and thoughts of only one character, presenting only the actions of all the remaining characters.24
7859398081third person omniscient point of viewin which the narrator, with godlike knowledge, presents the thoughts and actions of any or all characters25
7859408619proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms.26

Vocabulary Lesson 2- AP Language Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
8429994651impotentpowerless; lacking strength0
8429994652antithesisan exact opposite; an opposite extreme1
8429994653maelstromwhirlpool; turbulence; agitated state of mind2
8429994654emendationa correction3
8429994655chagrinembarrassment; a complete loss of courage4
8429994656baublea showy but useless thing5
8429994657diaphanousvery sheer and light6
8429994658labyrintha complicated network of winding passages; a maze7
8429994659gloatto look at or think about with great satisfaction8
8429994660impedimenta barrier; obstruction9
8429994661bestialsavage; brutal10
8429994662effeteworn out; barren11
8429994663sharda fragment12
8429994664blandmild; tasteless; dull13
8429994665nihilisma total rejection of established laws14

Vocabulary Lesson 1- AP Language Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
8429983109FactiousCausing disagreement0
8429983110IgnobleDishonorable; shameful1
8429983111BoorA rude or impolite person2
8429983112AegisA shield; protection3
8429983113PerspicacityKeenness of judgment4
8429983114FerventEager; earnest5
8429983115RectifyTo correct; to make right6
8429983116EnervateTo weaken7
8429983117BesiegeTo overwhelm; to surround and attack8
8429983118EphemeralLasting only a brief time; short- lived9
8429983119AltruismA concern for others; generosity10
8429983120CarrionDecaying flesh11
8429983121EroticPertaining to sexual love12
8429983122AmorphousShapeless, formless, vauge13
8429983123OpulentRich, luxurious, wealthy14

AP English Language and Composition -- Style Analysis Vocabulary Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
6794701956analyticalusing or skilled in using analysis (i.e., separating a whole into its elemental parts or basic principles)0
6794701957balancedbeing in a state of proper distribution or equilibrium1
6794701958clevershowing inventiveness and skill; skillful (or showing skill) in adapting means to ends; showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others; mentally quick and resourceful2
6794701959culturedmarked by refinement in taste and manners3
6794701960cynicalbelieving the worst of human nature and motives; distrustful of human sincerity, integrity, and selflessness4
6794701961humorousfull of or characterized by humor5
6794701962idealisticof high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style; of or relating to the philosophical doctrine of the reality of ideas6
6794701963imaginative(used of persons or artifacts) marked by independence and creativity in thought or action7
6794701964intellectualof or associated with or requiring the use of the mind; of or relating to the intellect; involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct8
6794701965intolerantunwilling to allow or accept difference of opinion; narrow-minded about cherished opinions9
6794701966nonintellectualnot intellectual10
6794701967opinionatedobstinate in your personal opinions11
6794701968optimisticexpecting the best12
6794701969originalnot derived or copied or translated from something else; preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed; being or productive of something fresh and unusual; or being as first made or thought of; (of e.g. information) not secondhand or by way of something intermediary13
6794701970perceptivehaving the ability to perceive or understand; keen in discernment14
6794701971pessimisticexpecting the worst15
6794701972rationalhaving its source in or being guided by the intellect (distinguished from experience or emotion); consistent with or based on or using reason16
6794701973realisticaware or expressing awareness of things as they really are; not abstract or ideal17
6794701974religioushaving or showing belief in and reverence for a deity; concerned with sacred matters, religion, or the church18
6794701975romanticexpressive of or exciting romance; not sensible about practical matters; unrealistic19
6794701976sensibleaware intuitively or intellectually of something sensed; showing reason or sound judgment20
6794701977sentimentaleffusively or insincerely emotional21
6794701978shallowlacking physical depth; not affecting one deeply; lacking depth of intellect or knowledge; concerned only with what is obvious22
6794701979sophisticatedintellectually appealing; having or appealing to those having worldly knowledge and refinement and savoir-faire; ahead in development; complex or intricate23
6794701980sympatheticdisposed toward; (of characters in literature or drama) evoking empathic feelings24
6794701981uncultured(of persons) lacking art or knowledge25
6794701982unprejudicedfree from undue bias or preconceived opinions26
6794701983awkwardunsure and constrained in manner; causing inconvenience; not elegant or graceful in expression; lacking grace or skill in manner or performance27
6794701984classicalof or characteristic of a form or system felt to be of first significance before modern times; of recognized authority or excellence28
6794701985coarseconspicuously and tastelessly indecent; lacking refinement or cultivation or taste; of low or inferior quality or value29
6794701986colloquialcharacteristic of informal spoken language or conversation30
6794701987conciseexpressing much in few words31
6794701988crudenot processed or subjected to analysis; not carefully or expertly made; devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment; conspicuously and tastelessly indecent32
6794701989euphemisticof an inoffensive substitute for offensive terminology33
6794701990exactmarked by strict, particular, and complete accordance with fact; (of ideas, images, representations, expressions) characterized by perfect conformity to fact or truth34
6794701991extravagantrecklessly wasteful; unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings35
6794701992figurative(used of the meanings of words or text) not literal; using figures of speech36
6794701993forcefulcharacterized by or full of exertion or strength (often but not necessarily physical); definite in expression or action37
6794701994formalbeing in accord with established conventions and requirements; (of spoken and written language) adhering to traditional standards of correctness and without casual, contracted, and colloquial forms; logically deductive; characteristic of or befitting a person in authority; refined or imposing in manner or appearance38
6794701995grotesquedistorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous; ludicrously odd39
6794701996harshrigorous; severe; unkind or cruel or uncivil; unpleasantly stern40
6794701997ironiccharacterized by often poignant difference or incongruity between what is expected and what actually is; humorously sarcastic or mocking41
6794701998literalwithout interpretation or embellishment; limited to the explicit meaning of a word or text; avoiding embellishment or exaggeration (used for emphasis)42
6794701999metaphoricalexpressing one thing in terms normally denoting another; figurative43
6794702000naturalbeing talented through inherited qualities; not artificial or imitation; existing in or in conformity with the observable world44
6794702001obscurenot clearly understood or expressed; not drawing attention; marked by difficulty of style or expression; remote and separate; difficult to find45
6794702002plainlacking embellishment or ornamentation; free from any effort to soften to disguise; not elaborate or elaborated; simple; not mixed with extraneous elements; clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment46
6794702003poeticcharacterized by romantic imagery; characteristic of or befitting a genre that is *not* prose47
6794702004polishedperfected or made smooth; reworked; showing a high degree of refinement and the assurance that comes from wide social experience48
6794702005pompousirritatingly grand, solemn, or self-important; puffed up with vanity49
6794702006precisesharply exact or accurate or delimited; (of ideas, images, representations, expressions) characterized by perfect conformity to fact or truth50
6794702007simplyand nothing more; without extravagance or embellishment; absolutely51
6794702008smoothunconstrained in structure; lacking obstructions or difficulties; free from disturbance; easily agreeable and courteous with a degree of sophistication52
6794702009unpolishednot carefully reworked or perfected or made smooth53
6794702010vaguenot clearly understood or expressed; not precisely limited, determined, or distinguished; lacking clarity or distinctness54
6794702011vulgarconspicuously and tastelessly indecent; being or characteristic of or appropriate to everyday language; lacking refinement or cultivation or taste55
6794702012antitheticalsharply contrasted in character or purpose56
6794702013awkwardunsure and constrained in manner; causing inconvenience; not elegant or graceful in expression; lacking grace or skill in manner or performance57
6794702014balancedbeing in a state of even distribution or equilibrium58
6794702015cacophonousinvolving or producing a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds59
6794702016disjointedlacking orderly continuity or connection60
6794702017disorganizedlacking order or methodical arrangement or function61
6794702018euphoricexaggerated feeling of well-being or elation62
6794702019incoherentunable to express yourself clearly or fluently; without logical or meaningful connection63
6794702020invertedbeing in such a position that top and bottom are reversed64
6794702021jarringincongruous in a striking or shocking way; clashing; making or causing a harsh and irritating sound65
6794702022journalisticof or relating to or having the characteristics of journalism66
6794702023jumbledin utter disorder; mixed up in an untidy way; disordered67
6794702024longrelatively great in extent68
6794702025loosenot compact or dense in structure or arrangement69
6794702026mimetic (imitative)exhibiting mimicry; characterized by or of the nature of or using mimesis; marked by or given to imitation70
6794702028monotonously similarmarked by correspondence or resemblance; (of words) expressing closely related meanings; resembling or similar; having the same or some of the same characteristics71
6794702030ornatemarked by elaborate rhetoric and elaborated with decorative details72
6794702031parallelhaving the property of being analogous to something else; occurring or existing at the same time or in a similar way; corresponding73
6794702032periodicrecurring or reappearing from time to time; happening or recurring at regular intervals; recurring at regular intervals74
6794702033rambling(of e.g. speech and writing) tending to depart from the main point or cover a wide range of subjects75
6794702034rhythmicalrecurring with measured regularity76
6794702035shorthaving little length or lacking in length; primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration; of speech sounds or syllables of relatively short duration77

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