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Myers for AP Psychology Unit 7B: THINKING & LANGUAGE Flashcards

Thinking Problem Solving Creativity and Language

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5184792092cognitionall the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating.0
5184792093Concepta mental grouping of similar objects, events, ideas, or people1
5184792094Prototypea standard or typical example (Is that a computer screen that BENDS?!)2
5184792095algorithma precise rule (or set of rules) specifying how to solve some problem3
5184792096Heuristica commonsense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem4
5184792097InsightA cognitive form of learning involving the mental rearragnment or restructuring of the elements in a problem to achieve an understanding or the problem and arrive at a solution5
5184792098Creativitythe ability to produce novel and valuable ideas6
5184792099Confirmation biasa tendency to search for information that confirms one's preconceptions7
5184792100fixationthe inability to see a problem from a new perspective, by employing a different mental set8
5184792101Mental Seta tendency to approach a problem in a particular way, often a way that has been successful in the past9
5184792102Functional fixednessthe tendency to think of things only in terms of their usual functions; an impediment to problem solving (Is a shoe just a shoe?)10
5184792103Representative heuristicjudging the likelihood of things in terms of how well they seem to represent, or match, particular prototypes; may lead one to ignore other relevent information11
5184792104Availability heuristicestimating the likelihood of events based on their availability in memory; if instances come readily to mind, we presume such events are common12
5184792105Overconfidencetotal certainty or greater certainty than circumstances warrant13
5184792106Belief Perseveranceclinging to one's initial conceptions after the basis on which they were formed has been discredited14
5184792107Intuitioninstinctive knowing (without the use of rational processes)15
5184792108Framingformulation of the plans and important details16
5184792109Languagethe mental faculty or power of vocal communication17
5184792110Phoneme(linguistics) one of a small set of speech sounds that are distinguished by the speakers of a particular language18
5184792111Morphememinimal meaningful language unit19
5184792112Grammarstudies of the formation of basic linguistic units20
5184792113Semanticsthe study of language meaning21
5184792114Syntaxthe grammatical arrangement of words in sentences22
5184792115Babbling Stagebeginning at about 4 months, the stage of speech development in which the infant spontaneously utters various sounds at first unrelated to the household lanuage.23
5184792116One-word Stagethe stage in speech development, from about age 1 to 2, during which a child speaks mostly in single words24
5184792117Two-word stagebeginning about age 2, the stage in speech development during which a child speaks mostly two-word statements25
5184792118Telegraphic speechearly speech stage in which a child speaks like a telegram--'go car'--using mostly nouns and verbs and omitting 'auxiliary' words26
5184792119Linguistic determinismWhorf's hypothesis that language determines the way we think27
5184792120Noam ChomskyUnited States linguist whose theory of generative grammar redefined the field of linguistics (born 1928)28
5184792121B.F Skinnerpioneer of operant conditioning who believed that language development is determined by our past history of rewards and punishments29
5184792122Benjamin WhorfConcept of "liguistic determinism" or how language impacts thought30

AP Language & Composition Vocabulary Flashcards

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7080732135Provocativeexciting; attracting attention0
7080732136Advocateto speak in favor of; to support1
7080732137Arrogantfeeling superior to others; snooty2
7080732138Contemptreproachful disdain3
7080732139Skepticaldoubting (opposite of gullible)4
7080732140Innovateto be creative; to introduce something new5
7080732141Profounddeep; insightful (the opposite of superficial)6
7080732142Digressto go off of the subject7
7080732143Tenacioustough; hard to defeat8
7080732144Nostalgiaa sentimental longing for the past9
7080732145Denounceto speak out against; to condemn10
7080732146Pragmaticpractical; down-to-earth11
7080732147Rigorousstrict; harsh; severe12
7080732148Inevitableunavoidable; bound to happen13
7080732149Superficialon the surface only; shallow14
7080732150Aesthetichaving to do with artistic beauty15
7080732151Disparageto belittle; to say uncomplimentary things about, usually in a somewhat indirect way16
7080732152Elaboratedetailed; careful; thorough17
7080732153Ambivalentundecided18
7080732154Esoterichard to understand; understood only by a select few; peculiar19
7080732155Subtlenot obvious; able to make fine distinctions; ingenious20
7080732156Indifferentnot caring one way or the other; mediocre; lacking preference; neutral21
7080732157Futilehopeless; without effect22
7080732158Resignationreluctant acceptance of a bad situation (secondary meaning)23
7080732159Negligencecarelessness24
7080732160Contritedeeply apologetic; remorseful25
7080732161Objectivewithout bias (as opposed to subjective)26
7080732162Disdainarrogant scorn; contempt27
7080732163Reticentrestrained; uncommunicative28
7080732164Mitigateto lessen the severity of something29

AP Language: Scarlet Letter Vocabulary (#1-40) Flashcards

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7514351481Abstrusedifficult to comprehend, obscure \\ in context: "There are scholars... who had spent more years in acquiring abstruse lore,"0
7514351482Alacritybrisk cheerful readiness \\ in context: "nothing could exceed the vigilance and alacrity with which they proceeded to lock"1
7514351483Antipathydeep dislike, settled aversion \\ in context: "earthly stock of hatred and antipathy transmuted into golden love."2
7514351484Asceticcharacterized by severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, often for religious reasons \\ in context: "Hester sought... of the plainest and most ascetic description, for herself"3
7514351485Austerityextreme plainness, simplicity in appearance; OR sternness or severity of manner or attitude. \\ in context: "It might be partly owing to the studied austerity of her dress"4
7514351486Beguileto attract, deceive, or trick someone; to lead by deception; OR pass time \\ in context: "Danforth: Now hear me, and beguile yourselves no more." (Crucible)5
7514351487Capricioussudden changes in character or mood \\ in context: "earnestness that was seldom seen in her wild and capricious character."6
7514351488Deleteriouscausing harm or damage; harmful often in subtle way \\ in context: " that every wholesome growth should be converted into something deleterious and malignant at his touch?"7
7514351489Dissembleto hide under false appearance; to feign, pretend; conceal one's true motives \\ in context: "The only truth that continued to give Mr. Dimmesdale a real existence on this earth was the anguish in his inmost soul, and the undissembled expression of it in his aspect."8
7514351490Effervescenceliveliness, exhilaration, vivacity, enthusiasm \\ in context: "This effervescence made her flit with a bird-like movement, rather than walk by her mother's side."9
7514351491Enmitydeep hatred, ill will, hostility \\ in context: "All this enmity and passion had Pearl inherited... out of Hester's heart."10
7514351492Eruditecharacterized by great knowledge or learning gained through studying \\ in context: "it was in a tongue unknown to the erudite clergyman, and did but increase the bewilderment of his mind"11
7514351493Esoteric(intimate or exclusive knowledge) intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people \\ in context: "the merchant valued him, not less than we, his esoteric friends"12
7514351494Exigencyurgency, immediate needs \\ in context: "the exigencies of this new country had transformed Gov. Bellingham"13
7514351495Expiationacts of making amends or reparations for wrongs/guilt; atonement \\ in context: "while standing on the scaffold, in this vain show of expiation, Mr. Dimmesdale was overcome with a great horror of mind"14
7514351496Ignominydisgrace; dishonor; public contempt \\ in context: "a halo of misfortune and ignominy in which she was enveloped" & "the ignominious letter on her breast"15
7514351497Impunityexemption from punishment or freedom from consequences \\ in context: "this was a life which could not, with impunity, be lived too long"16
7514351498Incantationsthe chanting or uttering of words to create some power \\ in context: "enlarged his medical attainments by joining in the incantations of the savage priests"17
7514351499Inclementunpleasant cold and wet weather \\ in context: "in their appropriate rooms if wintry or inclement weathers"18
7514351500Indefatigableincapable of being tired/fatigued \\ in context: 'to-day was doubly indefatigable in its tip-toe dance"19
7514351501Indictmentformal charge, an accusation of a crime \\ in context: "Elizabeth, quietly, factually: Fie were not hanged. Fie would not answer aye or nay to his indictment; for if he denied the charge they'd hang him surely, and auction out his property. So he stand mute, and died Christian under the law. And so his sons will have his farm. It is the law, for he could not be condemned a wizard without he answer the indictment, aye or nay. " (Crucible)20
7514351502Inextricablehopelessly intricate, involved, or perplexing \\ in context: "which intertwined, in the same inextricable knot"21
7514351503Iniquityimmoral, gross injustice; wicked act, sin \\ in context: "on the righteous colony of the Massachusetts, where iniquity is dragged out into the sunshine!" & "that the partner of her iniquity should not at least, stand on the scaffold by her side."22
7514351504Inveterateunlikely to change, established in manner, habit \\ in context: "a goose.. which proved so inveterately tough"23
7514351505Jocularcharacterized by joking, jesting; humorous \\ in context: "All such professors of the several branches of jocularity would have been sternly repressed"24
7514351506Malefactressa woman who violates the law or does evil \\ in context: "we women... should have the handling of such malefactresses as this Hester Prynne."25
7514351507Misanthropea person who hates mankind, avoids human society \\ in context: "There had been a period when Hester was less alive to this consideration; or, perhaps, in the misanthropy of her own trouble, she left the minister to bear what she might picture to herself as a more tolerable doom."26
7514351508Probitystrong morals principles; honesty, decency \\ in context: "a buccaneer... a man of probity and piety on land"27
7514351509Palliatemake less severe, unpleasant; alleviate \\ in context: "there has been nothing in the physician's words to excuse of palliate."28
7514351510Penitenceaction or feeling of regret for one's wrongdoing; repentance \\ in context: "it is to be feared, no genuine and steadfast penitence, but something doubtful, something that might be deeply wrong beneath."29
7514351511Predilectionpreference, favorable; bias in favor \\ in context: "I began now.. to be pretty acutely sensible with which party my predilections lay"30
7514351512Prolificcausing abundant growth, generation \\ in context: "they... might be prolific of the storm and whirlwind"31
7514351513Propensityan intense natural inclination, tendency, preference \\ in context: "Then, it is true, the propensity of human nature to tell the very worst of itself" & "in endowing the child with this marked propensity"32
7514351514Propinquityproximity; being close to something of someone \\ in context: "constant shadow of my presence, the closest propinquity of the man whom he had most vilely wronged"33
7514351515Repletefilled, well-supplied \\ in context: "he preached a discourse... the most replete of heavenly influences"34
7514351516Tomea book, especially a very heavy, large, or learned book \\ in context: "Here, on a cushion, lay a folio tome, probably of the Chronicles of England"35
7514351517Vicissitudea change or variation in event or situation (favorable or unfavorable) \\ in context: "So great a vicissitude in his life could not at once be received as real. But there was Hester,"36
7514351518Vitiateto destroy or impair the quality/efficiency of; to impair; spoil \\ in context: "he... neither sacrificed nor vitiated any spiritual endowment by devoting all his energies"37
7514351519Wanshowing or suggesting illness; pale \\ in context: "which must have given a wan and pallid aspect to cheeks of a fainter bloom"38
7514351520Zenithpoint in sky or celestial sphere above \\ in context: "the whole expanse of sky from zenith to horizon" & "the minister, looking upward to the zenith"39

AP Language and Composition Vocabulary Flashcards

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9376050144Expletivenoun, a profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger0
9376050145Asyndetonnoun, the omission of conjunctions like "and" or "but" where they would normally be used to make a speech more dramatic and effective by speeding up its rhythm and pace. This is a rhetorical device.1
9376050146Polysyndetonnoun, using several conjunctions in close succession, especially where some might be omitted (as in `he ran and jumped and laughed for joy'), a rhetorical device opposite to asyndeton.2
9376050147Understatementnoun, a statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said. You make an understatement when you say a lot less than you could. If you say "We didn't do our best" when your team loses 56 to 0, that's quite an understatement.3
9376050148Litotesnoun, understatement for rhetorical effect (especially when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary). "He's not the brightest bulb in the lamp," meaning "He's dumb" Or "She's no beauty queen" meaning "She's ugly"4
9376050149Parallelismnoun, similarity by virtue of corresponding. Parallelism is used in sentence construction to give matching structure. In the sentence, "I like to read, dancing, and fighting off Zombie attacks," the parts of the list are not parallel. You can revise the sentence for parallelism: "I like to read, to dance, and to fight off Zombie attacks."5
9376050150Chiasmusnoun, inversion in the second of two parallel phrases, a rhetorical technique that involves a reversal of terms, such as "It's good to be lucky, but it's lucky to be good."6
9376050151Zeugmanoun, rhetorical use of a word to govern two or more words though only one of the two thoughts should make literal or grammatical sense. For example, you could use the zeugma, "I lost my keys and my temper." In Greek, zeugma means "a yoking," as in yoking one word to two ideas.7
9376050152Antithesisnoun, exact opposite, An antithesis wouldn't exist without a thesis because it works as a comparison. Though the counterculture was strong in America in 1968, voters elected Richard Nixon, the antithesis of a hippie.8
9376050153Anaphoranoun, repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. Used to show emphasis in speech or writing, anaphora is a popular tool for politicians, religious leaders, lyricists, and poets.In Martin Luther King Jr's most famous speech, he said "I have a dream" eight different times.9
9376050154Epistrophenoun, repetition of the ends of two or more successive sentences, verses, etc. Similar to Anaphora but at the end of sentences, you can use epistrophe as a rhetorical device when you give a speech, to emphasize your ideas. One example is President Barack Obama's repetition, at the end of sentence after sentence, of the phrase "Yes, we can."10
9376050155Anadiplosisnoun, repetition of the final words of a sentence or line at the beginning of the next. Part of another figure of speech Chiasmus, every anadiplosis does not necessarily reverse its structure like it is done in chiasmus. "Forget what you want to remember, and remember what you want to forget," is an example of chiasmus (as it involves a reversal of structure in the second clause) and anadiplosis as word "remember" marks the end of one clause and the start of the subsequent clause. "The land of my fathers and my fathers can have it." is an example of anadiplosis involving a typical repetition of the word "my father" but, unlike chiasmus, the structure of the final clause is not reversed.11
9376050156Conduplicationoun, Figure of repetition in which the key word or words in one phrase, clause, or sentence is/are repeated at or very near the beginning of successive sentences, clauses, or phrases; repetition of a key word over successive phrases or clauses. ex. "I answered their questions truthfully, including questions about my private life -- questions no American citizen would ever want to answer."12
9376050157Epanalepsisnoun, rhetoric, a repetition of a word or a phrase with intervening words setting off the repetition, sometimes occurring with a phrase used both at the beginning and end of a sentence, as in Only the poor really know what it is to suffer; only the poor.13
9376050158Hypophoraa figure of speech in which a writer raises a question and then immediately provides an answer to that question. Commonly, a question is asked in the first paragraph and then the paragraph is used to answer the question. In hypophora, the writer first poses a question and then answers that question immediately such as in this example, "What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured." while in Rhetorical question, the answer is not provided by the writer since it does not require an answer. Such as, ".....For if we lose the ability to perceive our faults, what is the good of living on?"14
9376050159Rhetorical QuestionA rhetorical question is asked just for effect or to lay emphasis on some point discussed when no real answer is expected. A rhetorical question may have an obvious answer but the questioner asks rhetorical questions to lay emphasis to the point. In literature, a rhetorical question is self-evident and used for style as an impressive persuasive device. "O Wind, If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?", "It's too hot today. Isn't it?", "The actors played the roles well. Didn't they?"15
9376050160ProcatalepsisProcatalepsis is a figure of speech which is also known as prebuttal or prolepsis in which the speaker or writer gives response to the objection of an opponent in his speech by repeating his objection. It could also be that he responds to his own objection in order to strengthen his argument by using counterarguments. Once the speakers bring attention to a possible rebuttal, they immediately refute or discredit it, for the fear that people may get confused. "I know what you're going to say...'That if they look at it properly they'll see that it wasn't our fault. But will they look at it properly? Of course they won't. You know what cats they are...", "I can think of no one objection that will possibly be raised against this proposal, unless it should be urged that the number of people will be thereby much lessened in the kingdom. This I freely own, and it was indeed the principal design in offering it to the world."16
9376050161MetabasisA transition or change from one subject to another. Consists of a brief statement of what has been said and what will follow. It might be called a linking, running, or transitional summary, whose function is to keep the discussion ordered and clear in its progress: ex. Now that I have made this catalogue of swindles and perversions, let me give another example of the kind of writing that they lead to. --George Orwell17
9376050162DistinctioFigure of explication in which an introductory reference to a word's meaning is made (e.g., "by x I mean", "which is to say that", "that is") followed by a further elaboration of that word's meaning; explicit definition of or elaboration upon the meaning or meanings of a particular word or set of words. "A team of Minot airmen was dispatched to the base Weapons Storage Area to pick up and transport two pylons to a Barksdale B-52 aircraft. For those of you unfamiliar with the term "pylon," for our purposes today, a pylon is a self-contained package of six cruise missiles that can be quickly mounted to the wing of a B-52."18
9376050163AmplificationA rhetorical device used to embellish a sentence or statement by adding further information. Increase readability and worth of the statement or sentence. It is usually used when a simple sentence is abrupt and cannot convey the desired implications. Writers then use amplification to make structural additions and give further meanings by describing and repeating a certain statement or idea. "Mr. and Mrs. Veneering were bran-new people in a bran-new house in a bran-new quarter of London. Everything about the Veneerings was spick and span new. All their furniture was new, all their friends were new, all their servants were new, their place was new, . . . their harness was new, their horses were new, their pictures were new, they themselves were new, they were as newly-married as was lawfully compatible with their having a bran-new baby..."19
9376050164Scesis OnomatonFigure of repetition in which a set of two or more different words having the same (or very nearly the same) meaning occurs within the same sentence; a successive series of words or phrases whose meanings are generally equivalent. "America is all about opportunity. That's why my parents came to America more than 40 years ago. And that's why most of your parents came here generations ago in search of an opportunity, a chance, a fair shake."20
9376050165ApophasisRhetoric. denial of one's intention to speak of a subject that is at the same time named or insinuated, as "I shall not mention Caesar's avarice, nor his cunning, nor his morality.", mentioning something by saying it will not be mentioned (as in "we won't discuss his past crimes")21
9376050166Metanoia (correctio)A self-correction. It's when a writer or speaker deliberately goes back and modifies a statement that they just made, usually either to strengthen it or soften it in some way. Metanoia involves correcting a statement just made - when an author corrects a much earlier statement, it isn't metanoia. "To help or, at least, to do no harm.", "I have my shortcomings, through my own fault and through my failure to observe the admonitions of the gods - and I may almost say, their direct instructions."22
9376050167AporiaAn expression of insincere doubt. When the writer or speaker pretends, briefly, not to know a key piece of information or not to understand a key connection. After raising this doubt, the author will either respond to the doubt, or leave it open in a suggestive or "hinting" manner. When an aporia is phrased in the form of a question, it's called a rhetorical question. "You see, we believe that 'We're all in this together' is a far better philosophy than 'You're on your own.' So who's right?" We all know that he believes the Democratic philosophy is better, and he goes on to make his argument for that position. The aporia is a way of setting up the argument.23
9376050168Similenoun, a figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds (usually formed with `like' or `as'). Use a simile when describing a comparison between two fundamentally different things, such as: "His voice was smooth, like butter in a warm pan."24
9376050169Analogynoun, drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity in some respect. When you draw an analogy between two things, you compare them for the purpose of explanation. The movie character Forest Gump made a silly analogy famous: "Life is like a box of chocolates." If a scientist explains that the earth's forests function as its lungs, we understand the analogy to mean that both trees and lungs take in important elements from the air.25
9376050170MetaphorA figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable, used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity. You make an analogy between two things to show how one resembles the other in some way. When a character from Shakespeare calls the world his oyster, that's his boastful way of saying that all the riches of the world are his for the taking, like plucking a pearl from an oyster shell.26
9376050171CatachresisCatachresis is a figure of speech in which writers use mixed metaphors in an inappropriate way to create rhetorical effect. Often, it is used intentionally to create a unique expression. Catachresis is also known as an exaggerated comparison between two ideas or objects. "Tis deepest winter in Lord Timon's purse; that is, one may reach deep enough, and find little", "A man that studies revenge keeps his own wounds green...."27
9376050172SynecdocheSynecdoche is a figure of speech in which you use a part of something to stand for the whole thing (or vice versa). If your parents buy you a car and you say that you just got a new set of wheels, you're using synecdoche — you're using the wheels, which are part of a car, to refer to the whole car. The word "bread" refers to food or money as in "Writing is my bread and butter" or "sole breadwinner". The phrase "gray beard" refers to an old man, The word "sails" refers to a whole ship, The word "suits" refers to businessmen, The word "boots" usually refers to soldiers.28
9376050173MetonymyIt is a figure of speech that replaces the name of a thing with the name of something else with which it is closely associated. Synecdoche refers to a thing by the name of one of its parts. In a metonymy, on the other hand, the word we use to describe another thing is closely linked to that particular thing, but is not a part of it. For example, "Crown" which means power or authority is a metonymy. "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears."29
9376050174PersonificationPersonification is a figure of speech in which a thing, an idea or an animal is given human attributes. The non-human objects are portrayed in such a way that we feel they have the ability to act like human beings. Look at my car. She is a beauty, isn't it so?, The wind whispered through dry grass, The flowers danced in the gentle breeze, Time and tide waits for none.30
9376050175HyperboleHyperbole is a figure of speech, which involves an exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis. Praising your favorite sports team is one thing, but if you call the team the most incredible group of humans ever to walk the earth, then you're going overboard and indulging in hyperbole.31
9376050176AllusionAllusion is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance. It does not describe in detail the person or thing to which it refers. It is just a passing comment and the writer expects the reader to possess enough knowledge to spot the allusion and grasp its importance in a text. The main thing to remember is that an allusion is a brief hint or a quick mention. It's meant to bring to mind a particular subject, but it always avoids getting into it in great depth.32
9376050177EponymEponym is a name of a legend or real person that writers associate with some other person, object, institution or thing. Simply, we can define it as a famous person whose name is given to someone else, such as Homer has derived the name of ancient epic "The Odyssey" from a major character, Odysseus. Saxophone was given the name of Sax, a surname of family from Belgium, which was skilled at making musical instruments.33
9376050178OxymoronOxymoron is a figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect. The common oxymoron phrase is a combination of an adjective proceeded by a noun with contrasting meanings, e.g. "cruel kindness" or "living death". However, the contrasting words/phrases are not always glued together. The contrasting ideas may be spaced out in a sentence, e.g. "In order to lead, you must walk behind." "the shackles of love straiten'd him His honour rooted in dishonored stood And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true"34
9376050179EpithetEpithet is a descriptive literary device that describes a place, a thing or a person in such a way that it helps in making the characteristics of a person, thing or place more prominent than they actually are. Also, it is known as a by-name or descriptive title. The noun epithet is a descriptive nickname, such as "Richard the Lionhearted," or "Tommy the Terrible."35
9376050180HyperbatonHyperbaton has been derived from a Greek word that means inversion in the arrangement of common words. It can be defined as a rhetorical device in which the writers play with the normal position of words, phrases and clauses in order to create differently arranged sentences, but which still suggest a similar meaning. "Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall..."36
9376050181ParenthesisParenthesis is a qualifying or explanatory sentence, clause or word that writers insert into a paragraph or passage. However, if they leave it out, even then grammatically the it does not affect the text that is correct without it. Writers mark them off by round and square brackets or by commas, dashes, little lines and brackets. As far as its purpose is concerned, this verbal unit provides extra information, interrupts syntactic flow of words, and allows the readers to pay attention on explanation. you must sympathize with the reader's plight (most readers are in trouble about half the time) but never seek to know the reader's wants. "you must sympathize with the reader's plight (most readers are in trouble about half the time) but never seek to know the reader's wants."37
9376050182AlliterationA stylistic device in which a number of words, having the same first consonant sound, occur close together in a series. An important point to remember here is that alliteration does not depend on letters but on sounds. So the phrase not knotty is alliterative, but cigarette chase is not. But a better butter makes a batter better, A big bully beats a baby boy, Dunkin' Donuts, Best Buy, "The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew, The furrow followed free; We were the first that ever burst Into that silent sea."38
9376050183OnomatopoeiaA word, which imitates the natural sounds of a thing. It creates a sound effect that mimics the thing described, making the description more expressive and interesting. In addition to the sound they represent, many onomatopoeic words have developed meanings of their own. For example, "whisper" not only represents the sound of people talking quietly, but also describes the action of people talking quietly. "Hark, hark! Bow-wow. The watch-dogs bark! Bow-wow. Hark, hark! I hear The strain of strutting chanticleer Cry, 'cock-a-diddle-dow!'"39
9376050184ApostropheIn literature, apostrophe is a figure of speech sometimes represented by exclamation "O". A writer or a speaker, using an apostrophe, detaches himself from the reality and addresses an imaginary character in his speech. Apostrophe used in literature is an arrangement of words addressing a non-existent person or an abstract idea in such a way as if it were present and capable of understanding feelings. "Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee! I have thee not, and yet I see thee still." Macbeth has a strange vision of a dagger and talks to it as if it were another person.40
9376050185EnthymemeAn argumentative statement in which the writer or the speaker omits one of the major or minor premises, does not clearly pronounce it, or keeps this premise implied. The omitted premise in enthymeme remains understandable even if is not clearly expressed. For instance, "Where there is smoke, there is fire." (The hidden premise: The smoke causes fire.) This is known as truncated or rhetoric syllogism. Its purpose is to influence the audience and allow them to make inferences. They can be easily recognized, as these statements comes after "because." "[M]y parents decide to buy my brothers guns. These are not 'real' guns. They shoot 'BBs,' copper pellets my brothers say will kill birds. Because I am a girl, I do not get a gun."41
9376050186ClimaxAs a stylistic device, the term climax refers to a literary device in which words, phrases and clauses are arranged in an order to increase their importance within the sentence. "This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable Rights of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." OR Climax is that particular point in a narrative at which the conflict or tension hits the highest point. Climax is a structural part of a plot and is at times referred to as a crisis. It is a decisive moment or a turning point in a storyline at which the rising action turns around into a falling action. Thus, a climax is the point at which a conflict or crisis reaches its peak that calls for a resolution or conclusion.42
9376050187DiacopeThis literary device is a repetition of a phrase or word broken up by other intervening words. For instance, a very popular example of diacope is in William Shakespeare' Hamlet, "to be, or not to be!" In this line, you can notice that the speaker has repeated a phrase "to be" which is separated by another phrase "or not." "You held me down, but I got up,You hear my voice, you hear that sound... You held me down, but I got up Get ready 'cause I've had enough I see it all, I see it now."43
9376050188AntimetaboleAntimetabole is a literary term or device that involves repeating a phrase in reverse order. You like it; it likes you" and "Fair is foul and foul is fair." When a sentence is repeated after reversing it so as to convey an idea or stress on a point, it is called chiasmus. In an antimetabole the words and grammatical structure is also reversed because just reversing the meaning is not enough. All the antimetaboles are chiasmus, but not all instances of chiasmus are antimetaboles. "You stood up for America, now America must stand up for you."44
9376050189AntiphrasisAntiphrasis is a figurative speech in which a phrase or word is employed in a way that is opposite to its literal meaning in order to create an ironic or comic effect. It is the use of phrases or words in their opposite sense than the real meaning. "Yes, I killed him. I killed him for money-and a woman-and I didn't get the money and I didn't get the woman. Pretty, isn't it....." (Double Indemnity by Billy Wilder and Raymond). Here, the speaker is making ironic statement by using opposite sense of the word pretty. He has committed murder, yet he describes his act "pretty".45
9376050190EpizeuxisIt is defined as a rhetorical device in which the words or phrases are repeated in a quick succession after each other for emphasis. It is also called diacope. Epistrophe is the repetition of the words at the end of successive sentences such as "Where now? Who now? When now...,". Whereas, anaphora is the reverse of epistrophe; it is a repetition of the words and phrases at the beginning of successive sentences. Epizeuxis, is less refined but, it makes a very strong impact. Epizeuxis is the repetition of words in succession within a same sentence such as "The horror, the horror." "And my poor fool is hanged! No, no, no life! Why should a dog, a horse, a rat have life, And thou no breath at all? Thou'lt come no more, Never, never, never, never!"46
9376050191AposiopesisA rhetorical device that can be defined as a figure of speech in which the speaker or writer breaks off abruptly and leaves the statement incomplete, as if the speaker is not willing to state what is present in his mind due to being overcome by passion, excitement or fear. In a piece of literature, it means to leave a sentence unfinished so that the reader could determine his own meanings. "Well, I lay if I get hold of you I'll - She did not finish, for by this time she was bending down and punching under the bed with the broom, and so she needed breath to punctuate the punches with. She resurrected nothing but the cat...."47
9376050192AnacoluthonA stylistic device defined as a syntactic deviation and interruption within a sentence from one structure to another. In this interruption, the expected sequence of grammar is absent. The grammatical flow of sentences is interrupted in order to begin more sentences. "I will have such revenges on you both, That all the world shall-I will do such things, What they are, yet I know not....." This excerpt can be considered as one of the good anacoluthon examples as there is interruption from one sentence to another and such interruption is done to attract the readers' attention.48
9376050193EnumeratioEnumeration is a rhetorical device used for listing the details or a process of mentioning words or phrases step by step. In fact, it is a type of amplification or division in which a subject is further distributed into components or parts. The writers use enumeration to elucidate a topic to make it understandable for the readers. It also clarifies the ambiguity that may be created in the minds of the readers. "W]hen we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, 'Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"49
9376050194Antanagoge(Rhet.) A figure which consists in answering the charge of an adversary, by a counter charge. Not being able to answer the accusation of an adversary, a person instead makes a counter allegation or counteracting an opponent's proposal with an opposing proposition in one's own speech or writing.50
9376050195ParataxisA rhetorical term in which phrases and clauses are placed one after another independently, without coordinating or subordinating them through the use of conjunctions. It is also called additive style. Parataxis is sometimes used as asyndeton in which the phrases and clauses are coordinated without conjunctions. "Veni, vidi, vici" or, "I came, I saw, I conquered." There are no conjunctions or joining words used. The phrases are used equally. That means phrases are placed with equal status. Opposite of Hypotaxis51
9376050196HypotaxisHypotaxis is subordination of one clause to another, or when the clauses are coordinated or subordinated to one another within sentences. Hypotaxis is defined as a grammatical arrangement of constructs that work in the same way, but they play unequal role in a sentence. It helps in defining the exact meaning of a clause. "One December morning near the end of the year when snow was falling moist and heavy for miles all around, so that the earth and the sky were indivisible, Mrs. Bridge emerged from her home and spread her umbrella." The remaining clauses explain the first/main clause. These subordinated clauses help in recounting the individual thought expressed in the beginning.52
9376050197SententiaFigure of argument in which a wise, witty, or pithy maxim or aphorism is used to sum up the preceding material. "I think that if women aspired higher, took on the problems involved, that they might find surprising support from men. 'Time marches on.'"53
9376050198ExemplumExemplum is a rhetorical device that is defined as a short tale, narrative, or anecdote used in literary pieces and speeches to explain a doctrine or emphasize a moral point. They are generally in the forms of legends, folktales and fables. An exemplum clarifies and proves a point. "In Flaundres whylom was a company, Of yonge folk, that haunteden foley, As ryot, hasard, stewes, and tavernes, Wher-as, with harpes, lutes, and giternes,...." Talks about how greed can destroy everything and how it is the cause of all evil. In this story, nobody got to claim the most coveted treasure since the characters involved ended up killing each other. Can be real or fictional.54
9376050199PleonasmIt is a rhetorical device which can be defined as the use of a second or more words (phrase) to express an idea. These words are redundant such as in the following examples of pleonasm, "burning fire" and "black darkness." Sometimes, pleonasm is also called tautology, which is the repetition of words. "Let me tell you this, when social workers offer you, free, gratis and for nothing..."55
9376050200AssonanceTakes place when two or more words close to one another repeat the same vowel sound but start with different consonant sounds. "Men sell the wedding bells." The same vowel sound of the short vowel "-e-" repeats itself in almost all the words excluding the definite article. The words do share the same vowel sounds but start with different consonant sounds unlike alliteration that involves repetition of the same consonant sounds.56
9376050201Dirimens CopulatioA rhetorical term for a figure by which one balances one statement with a contrary, qualifying statement (sometimes conveyed by "not only ... but also" clauses). "But wait, there's more!"57
9376050202SymploceFigure of repetition that combines Anaphora and Epistrophe in which the first and last word or words in one phrase, clause, or sentence are repeated in one or more successive phrases, clauses, or sentences; repetition of the first and last words in a clause over successive clauses. "Let us let our own children know that we will stand against the forces of fear. When there is talk of hatred, let us stand up and talk against it. When there is talk of violence, let us stand up and talk against it."58
9376050203AppositiveWhen a noun or word is followed by another noun or phrase that renames or identifies it. This is a literary device that appears before or after a noun or noun phrase. It is always used with commas. We can define it as a noun phrase or a noun that defines or explains another noun, which it follows. Writers place elements like noun phrases side by side where one element serves to define the other, and one is in apposition to the other. "We were waiting outside the condemned cells, a row of sheds fronted with double bars, like small animal cages." In this line, "the condemned cells" is a noun phrase, while "a row of sheds" is an appositive that explains this noun phrase. Restrictive Appositive- Gives essential information to identify the phrase or noun in apposition and clarifies the meaning of a phrase but if the appositive is removed, the meaning of the entire sentence changes. Commas are not necessarily used. Non-Restrictive Appositive- Gives non-essential or extra information, which is not important to identify the phrase or noun in apposition and is often used with commas. "Christmas Eve afternoon we scrape together a nickel and go to the butcher's to buy Queenie's traditional gift, a good gnawable beef bone." A restrictive appositive is clarifying and describing a noun "traditional gift of Queenie." Here this literary device has appeared after noun.59

AP Language - Master Vocab List Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
5806630277acerbic{adj.} angry and bitter0
5806630278acrimonious{adj.} caustic, stinging, or bitter in nature, speech, behavior, etc.; angry, scathing, acerbic1
5806631201allusion{n.} An indirect reference to something well known (art, literature, etc.) ex: "Don't act like a Romeo in front of her."2
5807403472ambiguity{n.} leaving something out of the text for the reader to infer about ex: "Each of us saw her duck."3
5807407370anachronism{n.} an element of a text that does not fit within the time period ex: "Brutus; Peace! Count the clock."4
5807407371anaphora{n.} repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of clauses5
5807407372anecdote{n.} a short, personal story6
5807408666anguish{n.} despair7
5807408667antecedent{n.} the noun that a pronoun refers to8
5807409441antithesis{n.} the direct opposite of another idea in the text9
5807412472apathetic{adj.} showing no interest or emotion10
5807412473aphorism{n.} a short saying {ex: honesty is the best policy}11
5807413191apostrophe{n.} when the speaker addresses something that cannot respond12
5807413192ardent{adj.} enthusiastic or passionate13
5807414181asyndeton{n.} the absence of conjunctions where they would typically be used14
5807414182audacious{adj.} bold and daring15
5807547252austere{adj.} severe, strict, plain16
5807548168belligerent{adj.} hostile and aggressive17
5807548169brusque{adj.} abrupt in manner18
5807548170callous{adj.} insensitive and unfeeling19
5807548928chiasmus{n.} when words are repeated in reverse order20
5807548929choleric{adj.} bad-tempered, irritable, grumpy, cranky, unreasonably angry, cross; make angered easily21
5807549632circumlocution{n.} to use of many words when fewer would do22
5807549633colloquial{adj.} informal, familiar language23
5807551946conciliatory{adj.} intending to pacify or placate the audience24
5807551947concise{adj.} use few words25
5807551948contemptuous{adj.} manifesting, feeling, or expressing deep hatred or disapproval26
5807551949deduction{n.} using logic to make an inference or conclusion27
5807552650derogatory{adj.} critical28
5807552651despondent{adj.} hopeless29
5807552652detached{adj.} unemotional, disconnected30
5807604756dialect{n.} a form of language specific to a group or region31
5807604757diatribe{n.} a strong verbal attack against something/someone32
5807605389didactic{adj.} intending to teach or inform33
5807605390digression{n.} temporary departure from the main topic34
5807605391discourse{n.} written or spoken communication35
5807605987discursive{adj.} moving from topic to topic without order; rambling, digressive, meandering36
5807605988earnest{adj.} sincere and honest37
5807605989elegiac{adj.} sad and mournful38
5807606528ellipsis{n.} (...) showing omission from a text39
5807606529euphemism{n.} using milder words for words that are deemed "inappropriate"40
5807607442exasperated{adj.} irritated or out of patience41
5807607443facetious{adj.} sarcastic42
5807607444foreboding{adj.} a feeling that something bad will happen43
5807608249imagery{n.} description that appeals to the senses44
5807608250incredulous{adj.} unwilling or unable to believe something is true45
5807608251indiscriminate{adj.} done without careful judgment46
5807608956inflammatory{adj.} intending to arouse anger47
5807608957invective{n.} insulting, highly critical language48
5807608958jargon{n.} language specific to a group or profession49
5807608959jovial{adj.} cheerful and friendly50
5807610352lugubrious{adj.} overly sad and dismal51
5807610353maxim{n.} a short statement of a universal truth52
5807610354metonymy{n.} substituting a name for something with an attribute of it53
5807611141motif{n.} a recurring theme or idea in a text54
5807611142naive{adj.} immature or inexperienced55
5807611143nonchalant{adj.} calm and relaxed56
5807611850paradox{n.} a contradiction of ideas57
5807611851parallel structure{n.} having sentences or parts of sentences mimic each other58
5807612710parody{n.} making fun of a serious topic59
5807612711pedantic{adj.} language that is trying to sound smart60
5807612712polysyndeton{n.} using more conjunctions than necessary61
5807614435pragmatic{adj.} logical and sensible62
5807614436pretentious{adj.} trying to seem more important than you are63
5807614437refutation{n.} response to an argument64
5807616381rhetoric{n.} the art of using language effectively65
5807616382sematics{n.} the branch of linguistics concerned with meaning66
5807616383stream of consciousness{n.} narration that flows as the narrator's thoughts67
5807617941understatement{n.} the presentation of an idea as less important than it is68
5807617945zeugma{n.} when a word applies to two others in two different ways69

Myers for AP Psychology Unit 7B: THINKING & LANGUAGE Flashcards

Thinking Problem Solving Creativity and Language

Terms : Hide Images
5719738924cognitionall the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating.0
5719738925Concepta mental grouping of similar objects, events, ideas, or people1
5719738926Prototypea standard or typical example (Is that a computer screen that BENDS?!)2
5719738927algorithma precise rule (or set of rules) specifying how to solve some problem3
5719738928Heuristica commonsense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem4
5719738929InsightA cognitive form of learning involving the mental rearragnment or restructuring of the elements in a problem to achieve an understanding or the problem and arrive at a solution5
5719738930Creativitythe ability to produce novel and valuable ideas6
5719738931Confirmation biasa tendency to search for information that confirms one's preconceptions7
5719738932fixationthe inability to see a problem from a new perspective, by employing a different mental set8
5719738933Mental Seta tendency to approach a problem in a particular way, often a way that has been successful in the past9
5719738934Functional fixednessthe tendency to think of things only in terms of their usual functions; an impediment to problem solving (Is a shoe just a shoe?)10
5719738935Representative heuristicjudging the likelihood of things in terms of how well they seem to represent, or match, particular prototypes; may lead one to ignore other relevent information11
5719738936Availability heuristicestimating the likelihood of events based on their availability in memory; if instances come readily to mind, we presume such events are common12
5719738937Overconfidencetotal certainty or greater certainty than circumstances warrant13
5719738938Belief Perseveranceclinging to one's initial conceptions after the basis on which they were formed has been discredited14
5719738939Intuitioninstinctive knowing (without the use of rational processes)15
5719738940Framingformulation of the plans and important details16
5719738941Languagethe mental faculty or power of vocal communication17
5719738942Phoneme(linguistics) one of a small set of speech sounds that are distinguished by the speakers of a particular language18
5719738943Morphememinimal meaningful language unit19
5719738944Grammarstudies of the formation of basic linguistic units20
5719738945Semanticsthe study of language meaning21
5719738946Syntaxthe grammatical arrangement of words in sentences22
5719738947Babbling Stagebeginning at about 4 months, the stage of speech development in which the infant spontaneously utters various sounds at first unrelated to the household lanuage.23
5719738948One-word Stagethe stage in speech development, from about age 1 to 2, during which a child speaks mostly in single words24
5719738949Two-word stagebeginning about age 2, the stage in speech development during which a child speaks mostly two-word statements25
5719738950Telegraphic speechearly speech stage in which a child speaks like a telegram--'go car'--using mostly nouns and verbs and omitting 'auxiliary' words26
5719738951Linguistic determinismWhorf's hypothesis that language determines the way we think27
5719738952Noam ChomskyUnited States linguist whose theory of generative grammar redefined the field of linguistics (born 1928)28
5719738953B.F Skinnerpioneer of operant conditioning who believed that language development is determined by our past history of rewards and punishments29
5719738954Benjamin WhorfConcept of "liguistic determinism" or how language impacts thought30

Logical Fallacies - AP Language Flashcards

With definitions and examples.
See a longer list at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fallacies

Terms : Hide Images
8550560349Ad Hominem"attacking the person" - an argument or reaction directed against a person rather than the position they are maintaining or the argument itself; a type of Fallacy of Relevance when the attack on the person is irrelevant to the argument the person is making. We cannot possibly build the park that Mr. Smith is supporting! He was once arrested during a domestic dispute! My opponent suggests that lowering taxes will be a good idea -- this is coming from someone who eats a pint of ice cream every night!0
8550560350Genetic Fallacywhen a claim is accepted as true or false based on the origin of the claim; instead of looking at the actual merits of the claim, it is judged based on its origin. My doctor is overweight, so I don't believe anything he tells me about improving my health.1
8550560353Snob Appeal (form of Ad Populum)a form of Argumentum Ad Populum; argues that "only the best people are doing it" (so you should too) Only intelligent people vote for Donald Trump.2
8550560354Appeal to False Authorityusing an authority as evidence in your argument when the authority is not really an authority on the facts relevant to the argument. As the audience, allowing an irrelevant authority to add credibility to the claim being made. My 5th grade teacher said girls like boys who can dance. So, if you want to get girls, learn how to dance. Oprah said it so it must be true.3
8550560355Circular Argument (aka Begging the Question)a conclusion is assumed in one of the premises; aka circular reasoning; "what is true is true" Claim X assumes X is true, therefore claim X is true. Paranormal activity is real because I have experienced what can only be described as paranormal activity. Only a mentally ill person would commit murder so all murderers are mentally ill.4
8550560356Red Herringan irrelevant topic introduced in an argument to divert the attention of listeners or readers from the original issue Crime in the city has increased. The weather has changed, too. Things change over time. How does change happen? A teacher catches a student cheating. The student argues, "But think of my parents and how upset they will be! Don't you care about parents?"5
8550560357False Analogywhen someone applies facts from one situation to another situation to prove or disprove an argument, but the analogy is too dissimilar to be effective; the situations are substantially different and the same conclusions cannot logically be drawn. People who cannot go without their coffee every morning are no better than alcoholics.6
8550560358Hasty GeneralizationJumping to conclusions based on a small sample size, rather than looking at statistics that are much more in line with the typical or average situation Kevin's grandparents do not know how to use a computer. Kevin thinks that all older people must be computer illiterate. A car with New York plates cut me off in traffic. All drivers from New York are terrible.7
8550560359StrawmanAny lame attempt to "prove" an argument by overstating, exaggerating, or over-simplifying the arguments of the opposing side; substituting a person's actual position or argument with a distorted, exaggerated, or misrepresented version of the position of the argument After Will said that we should put more money into health and education, Warren responded by saying that he was surprised that Will hates our country so much that he wants to leave it defenseless by cutting military spending. The response to an argument for regulating genetically engineered crops is, "If we take away farmers' ability to grow genetically engineered crops, people will go hungry, or even starve."8
8550560360False Dilemma (Either/Or)when a writer builds an argument upon the assumption that there are only two choices or possible outcomes when actually there are several; aka black-and-white fallacy You are either with God, or against him.9
8550560361Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc (aka False Cause)establishes a cause/effect relationship that does not exist; aka questionable premise or post hoc Our soccer team was losing until I bought new cleats. My new cleats caused our winning streak. I sneezed and the power went off. My sneeze interfered with the power.10
8550560362EquivocationWhen a writer uses the same term in two different senses in an argument; thus making an argument misleading; aka 'doublespeak'; works for humor The sign said "fine for parking here", and since it was fine, I parked there.11
8550560363Slippery Slopeonce the first step is undertaken, a second or third step will inevitably follow, much like the way one step on a slippery incline will cause a person to fall and slide all the way to the bottom. Colin Closets asserts that if we allow same-sex couples to marry, then the next thing we know we'll be allowing people to marry their parents, their cars, even their monkeys. First it's auto-driving cars, next it's robots harvesting our organs.12
8550560365Moral Equivalencedraws comparison between different, often unrelated things, to make a point that one is just as bad as the other or just as good as the other; compares minor misdeeds with major atrocities. That parking attendant who gave me a ticket is as bad as Hitler.13
8550560366Ad Hoc"making stuff up" fallacy (out of desperation to be right) making up excuses as to why a belief could still be true, and is still true, despite the fact that there is no evidence to support the argument Frieda: I just know that Raymond is just waiting to ask me out. Edna: He has been seeing Rose for 3 months now. Frieda: He is just seeing her to make me jealous. Edna: They're engaged. Frieda: Well, that's just his way of making sure I know about it. Poor Frieda cannot accept the truth that Raymond is not interested in her.14
8550560367Appeal to Emotionuse of emotion in place of valid reasoning in order to attempt to win the argument. Includes appeals to fear, flatter, ridicule, pity, and wishful-thinking. A politician who argues that the other party is going to cut spending and that will have a negative impact on all of the grandmothers living on social security.15
8550560368Nirvana fallacy (perfect solution fallacy)when solutions to problems are rejected because they are not perfect; ignoring the fact that improvements are often good enough reason. What is the point of making the drinking age 21? Underage kids are still going to get their hands on alcohol. The MMR vaccine has a 1 in 1 million chance of a serious adverse event. Thus, it should be considered so unsafe that it should be removed from the market until a vaccine that never has an adverse effect is available.16
8550585494Bandwagon (form of Ad Populum)an argument that states something should be true because of it's popularity; "If many believe so, it is so"; (aka, bandwagon) The best phone is the iPhone - look how many people own them! But Officer, everyone was speeding! If I went any slower, I wouldn't be going with the pace of traffic.17
8667520959Non sequiturFrom Latin, "it does not follow." Stating a conclusion that doesn't follow logically from the evidence given. People love to walk on the beach. Sand floors should be put in houses. What's the weather outside? Well, it's Tuesday. Buddy's Burgers was voted #1 burger place in town. Phil, the owner, should run for President.18

AP Language and Composition: List Thirteen Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
6136913985analogouscomparable in certain respects, typically in a way that makes clearer the nature of the things compared0
6136913986briganda member of a gang that ambushes and robs people in forests and mountains1
6136913987emissarya person sent on a special mission, usually as a diplomatic representative2
6136917063felicityintense happiness3
6136917064incendiary(of a device or attack) designed to cause fires4
6136921548magnanimousvery generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful than oneself5
6136921549plighta dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation6
6136922369reparteeconversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments or replies7
6136925221ubiquitouspresent, appearing, or found everywhere8
6136927548venerableaccorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character9

AP Language 3 (examples + definitions) Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
9268523685Analogy"They crowded very close about him, with their hands always on him in a caressing grip, as though all the while feeling him to make sure he was there. It was like men handling a fish which is still alive and may jump back into the water."0
9268557008Asyndeton"This is the villain among you who deceived you, who cheated you, who meant to betray you completely..."1
9268571802Chiasmus"Lust is what makes you keep wanting to do it, even when you have no desire to be with each other. Love is what makes you keep wanting to be with each other, even when you have no desire to do it."2
9268583446Denotation"Language - the method of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words in a structured and conventional way."3
9268601595Euphemism"I am one, sir, that comes to tell you that your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs."4
9268605651Loose Sentence"The radiators put out lots of heat, too much, in fact, and old-fashioned sounds and smells came with it, exhalations of the matter that composes our own mortality, and reminiscent of the intimate gasses we all diffuse."5
9268615321Paradox"This statement is a lie."6
9268650726Invective"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 knave, a 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, pandar, and the son and heir of a mongrel bitch: one whom I will beat into clamorous whining, if thou deniest the least syllable of thy addition."7
9268670050Periodic Sentence"To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, that is genius."8
9268688700Polysyndeton"And Joshua, and all of Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had."9
9268703971Synecdoche"his eye met hers as she sat there paler and whiter than anyone in the vast ocean of anxious faces about her."10
9268712768Diacope"They will laugh, indeed they will laugh, at his parchment and his wax."11
9268716173Parallelism"Where there is discord, may be bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope."12
9268726630Hypophora"Thirty-one cakes, dampened with whiskey, bask on window sills and shelves. Who are they for? Friends. Not necessarily neighbor friends: indeed, the larger share is intended for persons we've met maybe once, perhaps not at all. People who've struck our fancy. Like President Roosevelt."13
9268758337Apostrophe"Oh! Stars and clouds and winds, you are all about to mock me; if you really pity me, crush sensation and memory; let me become as naught; but if not, depart, depart, and leave me in darkness."14
9268771099Litotes"I am no unaware how the productions of the Grub Street Brotherhood have of late years fallen under many prejudices."15
9268775256Metaphor"For we are all swimmers ephemerally buoyed by what will engulf us at last; still dreaming of islands through the mainland has been lost; swept remorselessly out to sea while we spread our arms to the beautiful shore."16
9268788420Alliteration"Many mumbling mice are making midnight music in the moonlight."17
9268803443Onomatopeia"I was just beginning to yawn with nerves thinking he was trying to make a fool of me when I knew his tattarrattat at the door."18
9268817696Metonomy"The IRS is auditing me? Great. All I need is a couple of suits arriving at my door."19
9268850831Rhetorical Question"It did not occur to me to call a doctor, because I knew none, and although it did occur to me to call the desk and ask that the air conditioner be turned off, I never called, because I did not know how much to tip whoever might come - was anyone ever so young?"20
9268881384Understatement"I have to have this operation. It isn't very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain."21
9268893450AmbiguityThe multiple meanings of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.22
9268896850AllegoryUsing a character and/or story elements symbolically to represent the abstract.23
9268927633AllusionA direct or indirect reference to something that is presumably known.24
9268930062AnecdoteA short narrative detailing particulars of an interesting episode or event.25
9268934583ClauseContains both a subject and a verb.26
9268936751AphorismA memorable summation of the author's point.27
9268939272AntithesisContrasting of opposing ideas or phrases.28
9268943115GenreThe major category into which a literary work fits.29
9268961083DictionThe writer's word choice in regard to correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.30
9268970111InferenceTo draw reasonable conclusions from the information presented.31
9268976596NarrativeThe telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.32
9268981402IronyThe contrast between what is stated and what is meant.33
9268984326Point of ViewThe perspective from which a story is told.34
9268986239SarcasmBitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule.35
9268989306ThesisThe sentence that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position.36
9268996345ThemeThe central idea or message of a work.37
9268998099Satire"If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it."38
9269009205SyntaxThe way an author chooses to join phrases, clauses, and sentences.39
9275619753AntecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.40
9275623705Ad populum"If they're all doing it, I should too!"41
9275635711EthosAppeal to credibility42
9275639502PathosAppeal to emotions43
9275639503LogosAppeal to logic and facts44
9275644659AtmosphereThe emotional mood created by a work45
9275646796ConceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor46
9275658707Appeal to Authority"I think that businesses should not have to limit the amount of pollutants they release into the atmosphere because Donald Trump says that there is no real evidence for industrial pollutants causing the Greenhouse Effect.47
9275669956Ad hominem"Oprah Winfrey's diet advice is useless; she has had problems with maintaining her weight for most of her life, bouncing back and forth between being overweight and slender."48
9275683330False Analogy"Guns are like hammers—they're both tools with metal parts that could be used to kill someone. And yet it would be ridiculous to restrict the purchase of hammers—so restrictions on purchasing guns are equally ridiculous."49
9275692548Hasty Generalization"All of those movie stars are really rude. I asked Ryan Gosling for his autograph in a restaurant once, and he told me to get lost."50
9275695523DidacticLiterally means "teaching", and they have the primary aim of teaching of moral or ethical principals.51
9275797152ExpletiveFigure of emphasis in which a single word, usually interrupting normal speech, is used to lend emphasis52
9275804335OxymoronA figure of speech where the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.53
9275821802Post hoc ergo propter hoc"I wore my lucky red shirt when I took the test, so that is probably why I did so well on the test."54
9275856863Active VoiceThe subject of the sentence performs the action.55
9275859309Passive VoiceThe subject of the sentence receives the action56
9275862464ForeshadowingWhen an author gives hints about what will occur later in a story.57
9275866603Pun"I really wanted a camouflage shirt, but I couldn't find one."58
9275872070CaricatureA verbal description, the purpose of which is to exaggerate or distort, for comic effect, a person's distinctive physical features or other characteristics.59
9275877342Zeugma"When you open a book, you open your mind."60
9275879473EpistropheA stylistic device that can be defined as the repetition of phrases or words at the end of the clauses or sentences. It is also called epiphora.61
9275883303Circular ReasoningA fallacy in which the writer repeats the claim as a way to provide evidence.62
9275885722ConcessionAn acknowledgement that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable.63

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