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AP Language Terms Flashcards

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61665704Allegorythe device of using character and or/ story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. In some allegories, for example, an author may intend the characters to personify an abstraction like hope or freedom. The allegorical meaning usually deals with moral truth or generalization about human existence.0
61665705Alliterationrepetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in 2+ neighboring words.1
61665706Allusiona direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, or place. Allusions can be historical, (like referring to Hitler), literary (like referring to Huck Finn), religious (like referring to Noah and the flood), or mythical (like referring to Atlas). An author's use of this device tends to presuppose that readers in general will possess the knowledge to recognize the allusion. Because of the connotations they carry, allusions are used to enrich meaning or broaden the impact of a statement.2
61665707Ambiguitymultiple meanings, intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence or passage.3
61665708Analogya literary device employed to serve as a basis for comparison. It is assumed that what applies to the parallel situation also applies to the original circumstance. In other words, it is the comparison between two different items.4
61665709Anecdotea brief account of some interesting or entertaining and often humorous incident5
61665710Antecedentthe word, phrase or clause to which a pronoun refers. (can be called a pronoun referent).6
61665711Antithesisa rhetorical device in which two ideas are directly opposed. For a statement to be truly antithetical, the opposing ideas must be presented in a grammatically parallel way, thus creating a perfect rhetorical balance. Example: "Give me liberty or give me death."7
61665712Aphorisma terse statement of known authorship, which expresses a general truth or moral principle. (If the authorship is unknown, the statement is generally considered a folk proverb.) An aphorism can be a memorable summation of the author's point.8
61665713Apostrophea figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. The speaker addresses the object of the apostrophe as if this object were present and capable of understanding and responding. The effect may add familiarity or emotional intensity. William Wordsworth addresses John Milton as he writes, "Milton, thou shouldst be living in this hour. England hath need of thee."9
61665714Attitudea writer's intellectual position/emotion regarding the subject. In the essay section, expect to be asked what the writer's attitude is and how the language conveys that attitude. Although the singular term "attitude" is used, the passage will rarely have only one attitude. More often, the author's attitude will be more complex, and the student who presents this complexity will appear to be more astute than the student who uses one adjective to describe attitude. Understand that an accurate statement of an attitude is not likely to be blatantly obvious.10
61665715Authorial Asidea technique in which the author steps outside the story, speaking directly to the reader to reveal an attitude, purpose or meaning.11
61665716Chiasmusa rhetorical device in which certain words, sounds, concepts, or syntactic structures are reversed or repeated in reverse order. Chiastic structure may also create or heighten paradox. (ex: "Fair is foul and foul is fair." "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.")12
61665717Colloquialthe use of slang in writing, often to create local color and to provide an informal tone (Think Adventures of Huck Finn.)13
61665718Conceita fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects. A conceit displays intellectual cleverness due to the unusual comparison being made.14
61665719Connotationinterpretative level of a word based on its associated images rather than literal meaning15
61665720Deductiona form of logical thinking to analyze when asked to evaluate the persuasive devices used by the author. General statements (major premises) believed to be true are applied to specific situations (minor premises). The result of deduction is a conclusion about a specific situation.16
61665721Descriptive Detailwhen an essay uses this phrase, look for the writer's sensory description. Descriptive detail appealing to the visual sense is usually the most predominant, but don't overlook other sensory detail.17
61665722Devicesthe figures of speech, syntax, diction and other stylistic elements that collectively produce a particular artistic effect.18
61665723Dialectica method of logical argumentation that typically addresses conflicting positions.19
61665724Dictionthe writer's word choices, especially with regard to correctness, clearness or effectiveness. For the exam, you should be able to describe an author's diction (e.g. formal, informal, ornate, plain) and understand the ways diction complements the author's purpose. In your thesis, avoid phrases such as "The author uses diction...." Since diction is word choice, this phrase really says, "The author chooses words to write..." which is redundant. At least try to put an adjective in front of the word "diction" to help describe it.20
61665725Ellipsisindicated by a series of three periods, the ellipsis shows some material has been omitted. Be wary of the ellipsis; it could obscure the real meaning of the piece of writing.21
61665726Euphemismfrom the Greek for "good speech" euphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts. The euphemism may be used to adhere to standards of social or political correctness, or to add humor or ironic understatement. Saying "earthly remains" rather than "corpse" is an example of euphemism.22
61665727Figurative Languageincludes apostrophe, hyperbole, metaphor, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, and understatement.23
61665728Homily"sermon," but it includes any serious speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.24
61665729Hyperbolea figure of speech that uses deliberate exaggeration to achieve an effect.25
61665730Imagerysensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions, typically related to the five senses. On a deeper level, one image can represent more than one thing. For example, a rose may present visual imagery, while also representing the color in a woman's cheeks. In addition, this term can apply to all images in a work. On the AP exam, pay attention to how an author creates imagery and its effect.26
61665731Indefinite Pronouna word that replaces a noun without specifying which noun it replaces. Examples: another, anybody, anyone, anything, each, either, everybody, everyone, everything, little, much, neither, nobody, no one, nothing, one, other, somebody, someone, something, both, few, many, others, several, all, any, more, most, none, some27
61665732Inductiontype of reasoning that examines evidence before drawing a conclusion.28
61665733Ironyan unexpected twist or contrast between what happens and what was intended or expected to happen. It can be verbal, situational or dramatic.29
61665734Invectivean emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.30
61665735Languagewhen you're asked to "analyze the language," concentrate on how the elements of language combine to form a whole-how diction, syntax, figurative language, and sentence structure create a cumulative effect.31
61665736Litotesa figure of speech consisting of an understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite, as in This is no small problem.32
61665737Metaphora direct comparison between dissimilar things.33
61665738Metonymya figure of speech in which one thing is represented by another that is commonly and often physically associated with it. A monarch may be referred to as "the crown," or a news release claim, "the White House declared" rather than "the President declared."34
61665739Mode of discoursea type of writing. The modes are usually described as the following types: exposition - illustrates a point, narration - tells a story, description - creates a sensory image, and argumentation - takes a position on an issue and defends it.35
61665740Moodprevailing atmosphere or emotional aura. Setting, tone and events can affect the mood.36
61665741Motifa unifying element in an artistic work, especially any recurrent image, symbol, theme, character, type, subject or narrative detail. Specific colors such as green and white serve as motifs in The Great Gatsby.37
61665742Narrative Devicesthis term describes the tools of a storyteller, such as ordering events so that they build to a climactic moment or withholding information until a crucial or appropriate moment when revealing it creates a desired effect.38
61665743Narrative Techniquethe style of telling the "story," even if the passage is nonfiction. Concentrate on the order of events and on their detail in evaluating a writer's technique.39
61665744Non Sequitur"it does not follow"; an unwarranted conclusion40
61665745Onomatopoeiause of words that sound like they mean or signify meaning through sound effects.41
61665746Oxymoronfrom the Greek for "pointedly foolish," a figure of speech that juxtaposes two opposite or apparently contradictory words to present an emphatic and dramatic paradox for a rhetorical purpose or effect. Ex: wide fool, bittersweet, eloquent silence.42
61665747Paradoxa statement that seems self-contradictory or nonsensical on the surface but that, upon closer examination, may be seen to contain an underlying truth. As a rhetorical device, paradox is used to grab the reader's attention and to direct it to a specific point or image that provokes the reader to see something in a new way. Ex: "We had to destroy the village to save it."43
61665748Parallelism (or parallel structure)the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences or paragraphs to give structural similarity. This can involve, but is not limited to, repetition of a grammatical element such as a preposition or verbal phrase. The effects of parallelism are numerous, but frequently, they act as an organizing force to attract the reader's attention, add emphasis and organization, or simply provide a musical rhythm.44
61665749Pathosa quality in a work that makes the reader experience pity, sorrow or tenderness. Pathetic characters are usually helpless, innocent victims suffering through no fault of their own.45
61665750Pedantica term used to describe writing that borders on lecturing. It is scholarly and academic and often overly difficult and distant.46
61665751Periodic Sentencea sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end. This independent clause is preceded by a phrase or clause that cannot stand alone. For example, "Ecstatic with my AP scores, I let out a loud shout of joy!" The effect of a periodic sentence is to add emphasis and structural variety.47
61665752Personificationthe assigning of human qualities to inanimate objects or concepts.48
61665753Persuasive Deviceswhen asked to analyze an author's persuasive devices, look for words in the passage that have strong connotations. In addition, analyze how these words complement the writer's argument as it builds logically.49
61665754Prepositiona preposition usually indicates the temporal, spatial or logical relationship of its object to the rest of the sentence as in the following examples: The book is on the table. The book is beneath the table. The book is leaning against the table. The book is beside the table. She held the book over the table. She read the book during class.50
61665755Rhetoricfrom the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently and persuasively.51
61665756Rhetorical Purposethe reason for the speaker's remarks; or a definition of the attitude that the author would like the reader to adopt.52
61665757Rhetorical Strategiesinclude example, contrast and comparison, definition, cause and effect, process, analysis/division and classification. The writer may also employ descriptive and narrative strategies. These are the basic approaches a writer uses to tell a story, explain a point, describe a situation or argue a position.53
61665758Satirea mode of writing based on ridicule that criticizes the foibles and follies of society without necessarily offering a solution.54
61665759Selection of detailfacts, circumstances, characteristics, techniques, etc., used by the writer to convey tone, purpose or effect.55
61665760Sentence Structurewhen an essay question asks you to analyze sentence structure, look at the type of sentences the author uses. Remember that the basic sentence structures are simple, compound and complex, and variations created with sentence combining. Also consider variation or lack of it in sentence length, any unusual devices in sentence construction, such as repetition or inverted word order, and any unusual word or phrase placement. Be prepared to discuss the effect of the sentence structure. For example, a series of short, simple sentences or phrases can produce a feeling of speed and choppiness, which may suit the author's purpose.56
61665761Supporting a Positionwhen supporting a position, consider the following types of evidence: facts, statistics, details, quotations, needed definitions, recognition of the opposition, examples, anecdotes, contrast and compare, cause and effect, appeal to emotion and appeal to authority.57
61665762Stylecomprises subject matter, selection of detail, organization, point of view, diction, syntax, language, attitude and tone, as well as other literary devices. An evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in regards to language. We can analyze and describe an author's personal style and make judgments on how appropriate it is to the author's purpose.58
61665763Stylistic Devicesan essay that mentions stylistic devices is asking you to note and analyze all of the elements in language that contribute to style-such as diction, syntax, tone, attitude, figures of speech, connotations and repetition.59
61665764Syllogismformat of a formal argument that consists of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.60
61665765Synesthesiaa psychological process whereby one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another. For instance, the sight of ants may make you feel itchy. When used with reference to literature, it refers to the practice of associating two or more different senses in the same image. It speaks of one sensation in terms of another. Ex: a red hot coal evokes both color (sight) and heat (touch).61
61665766Synecdochea figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole or, occasionally, the whole is used to represent a part. To refer to a boat as a sail is synecdoche. In Night, Wiesel uses synecdoche when he speaks of himself as "a body. Perhaps less than that even: a starved stomach."62
61665767Syntaxthe way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses and sentences. Syntax is similar to diction, but you can differentiate the two by thinking of syntax as referring to groups of words, while diction refers to individual words. When you are analyzing syntax, consider such elements as the length or brevity of sentences, unusual sentence constructions, the sentence patterns used, and the kinds of sentences the author uses. The writer may use questions, declarations, exclamations, or rhetorical questions; sentences are classified as periodic, simple, compound, or complex. First try to classify what kind of sentences the author primarily uses, and then try to determine how the author's choices amplify meaning, in other words why they work well for the author's purpose.63
61665768Tonesimilar to mood, tone describes the author's attitude toward his or her material, the audience, or both. Tone is easier to determine in spoken language than written. Considering how a work would sound if it were read aloud can help in identifying an author's tone. Some words describing tone are playful, serious, businesslike, sarcastic, humorous, formal, ornate and somber. As with attitude, an author's tone in the exam's passages can rarely be described by one word. Expect that it will be more complex.64
61665769Understatementthe ironic minimalizing of fact, understatement presents something as less significant than it is. The effect can frequently be humorous and emphatic. Understatement is the opposite of hyperbole.65
61665770Complexuse one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses: Timmy thinks of grammar when he is at a Magma concert. ("Timmy thinks..." is an independent clause, "when he..." is a dependent clause.)66
61665771Compoundcomposed of two or more independent clauses, which are joined by a conjunction or a semicolon: Timmy likes grammar class, so he does not like "Magma."67
61665772Compound-Complexjoins a compound and a complex sentence together. It should contain two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clause: Magma sings in a language they created, and they feel that proper grammar has no place at their shows, which are often quite obnoxious. ("Magma sings..." is an independent clause, "they feel..." is an independent clause, "which are..." is a dependent clause.)68
61665773Declarativea statement that always ends with a period: Mars is the fourth planet from the sun.69
61665774Exclamatoryan expression of strong feeling that ends with an exclamation point: Oh, what a wonderful feeling! Oh, what a wonderful day!70
61665775Imperativegives a command or makes a request, and usually ends with a period: Please bring me that cup. Run for your life!71
61665776Interrogativea question that always ends with a question mark: If I won the lottery, do you think I would share the money with you?72
61665777Simplehas only one independent clause, no dependent clauses, and is limited to one subject and one predicate: German is boring.73
61665778Ad Hoc argumentgiving an after-the-fact explanation which doesn't apply to other situations. Often this ad hoc explanation will be dressed up to look like an argument. For instance, suppose you analyze "bird" as "any creature that can fly." I then cite mosquitoes as a counter-example. They can fly, but they aren't birds. Now, you might fix up your analysis as follows: A bird is any creature that can fly, and which is not a mosquito.74
61665779Ad Hominem argumentFrom Latin meaning "to or against the man", it is the strategy of attacking the character the people you disagree with rather than the substance of their arguments. In politics, this is called "mudslinging" (Example: So you think Eminem is a homophobic racist? Well, you're just a thumb-sucking, white-bread elitist)75
61665780Begging the questionIs a logical fallacy in which the claim that is made is based on grounds that are in doubt. (Example: An accused felon makes the argument "I can't be guilty of embezzlement; I'm an honest person." Fallacy: How can the accused felon defend himself on the grounds of honesty when that honesty is now suspect? )76
61665781Circular reasoningThis mistake in logic restates the premise rather than giving a reason for holding that premise. (Example: I like to eat out because I enjoy different foods and restaurants.)77
61665782Either/or argumentA way to simplify arguments and give them power is to reduce the options for action to only two choices. Often, the preferred option is drawn into a favorable light, whereas the alternative is cast as an ominous shadow. The either/ or argument becomes fallacious, however, when it reduces a complicated issue to excessively simple terms or when it is designed to obscure other legitimate alternatives. (Example: Tomorrow is April 15th; therefore I must mail in my tax return, or I will be arrested.)78
61665783Hasty GeneralizationA person who makes a hasty generalization draws a conclusion about an entire group based on evidence too scant or insufficient. (Example: Because my Honda broke down, all Hondas must be junk)79
61665784Non sequitur argumentThis Latin phrase means "does not follow." A non sequitur is an argument in which claims, reasons, or warrants fail to connect logically; one point does not follow another. (Example: A child says to her parent "You don't love me or you'd buy me that bicycle!" Claim: You must not love me. Reason: because you haven't bought me that bicycle. Warrant: Buying bicycles for children is essential for loving them. Although the child might accept the warrant in her argument, her parent can see that she has made a non sequitur argument because bicycles don't necessarily follow love.)80
61665785Post hoc argumentThis fallacy cites an unrelated event that occurred earlier as the cause of a current situation. (Example: I saw a black cat run across the street in front of my car five minutes before I was hit by a foul ball at the ball park. Therefore, the black cat is the cause of my bruised arm.)81
61665786Straw-man argumentHere is a technique we've all seen and heard used by politicians seeking election. The speaker/writer attributes false or exaggerated characteristics or behaviors to the opponent and attacks him on those falsehoods or exaggerations. (Example: You say you support allowing people under 18 to drive alone. I'll never be able to understand why weak-willed drivers like you are willing to risk your life and the lives of all other drivers with these crazy teenagers on the road.)82
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ap language terms Flashcards

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4263120637anaphoraa repetition of a word or of words at the beginning of two or more successive clauses0
4263130593euphemismthe act or an example of substituting a mild, indirect, or vague term for one considered harsh, blunt or offensive1
4263162324paradoxa nonsensational underlying truth2
4263168620syntaxthat part of grammar which treats of the construction of sentences; the due arrangement of words in sentences in their necessary relations, according to established usage in any language3
4263177135ad hominemwhen a writer personally attacks his or her opponents instead of their arguments4
4263184521colloquialthe use of slang or informalities of speech or writing. not generally acceptable for formal writing, colloquialisms give a work a conversational, familiar tone. colloquial expressions in writing include regional dialect5
4263211488ambiguitythe multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage6
4263224855parallelismParallelism Also referred to as parallel construction or parallel structure, this term comes from Greek roots meaning "beside one another." It refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity. This can involve, but is not limited to, repetition of a grammatical element such as a preposition or verbal times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of believe, it was the epoch of incredulity....") The effects of parallelism are numerous, but frequently they act as an organizing force to attract the reader's attention, add emphasis and organization, or simply provide a musical rhythm7
4263234172satireA work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule. Regardless of whether or not the work aims to reform human behavior, satire is best seen as a style of writing rather than a purpose for writing. It can be recognized by the many devices used effectively by the satirist: irony, wit, parody, caricature, often humorous, is thought provoking and insightful about the human condition8
4263258099anecdotea brief story that illustrates or makes a point9
4263266115allegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. In some, for example, an author may intend the characters to personify an abstraction like hope or freedom. The typical meaning usually deals with moral truth or a generalization about human existence. A story in which each aspect of the story has a symbolic meaning outside the tale itself10
4263275676literary conceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects Displays intellectual cleverness through unusual comparisons that make good sense11
4263286300invectivean emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language12
4263294128pedanticAn 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).13
4263305574syllogismFrom the Greek for "reckoning together," a syllogism (or syllogistic reasoning or syllogistic logic) is a deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises (the first one called "major" and the second called "minor") that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion. A frequently cited example proceeds as follows: major premise: All men are mortal. minor premise: Socrates is a man. conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is a mortal. A syllogism's conclusion is valid only if each of the two premises is valid. Syllogisms may also present the specific idea first ("Socrates") and the general second ("all men")14
4263335246anadiplosisFigure of repetition that occurs when the last word or terms in one sentence, clause, or phrase is/are repeated at or very near the beginning of the next sentence, clause, or phrase ex: "Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering." - Yoda15
4263358826antimeriathe substitution of one part of speech for another ex: "The little old lady turtled along the road."16
4263371101chisamusChisamus 'chi structure' unlike abab / language listed in an abba form: ex: Ask not what your country Can do for you, But what you Can do for your country17
4269346039metonymyA term from the Greek meaning "changed label" or "substitute name," metonymy is a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it. For example, a news release that claims "the White House declared" rather than "the President declared" is using metonymy18
4269372116proseone of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms. In prose the printer determines the length of the line; in poetry, the poet determines the length of the line19
4269386139semanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another20
4269429913aphorismA terse statement of know authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle. (If the authorship is unknown, the statement is generally considered to be a folk proverb.) An aphorism can be a memorable summation of the author's point.21
4269446151coherenceA principle demanding that the parts of any composition be arranged so that the meaning of the whole may be immediately clear and intelligible. Words, phrases, clauses within the sentence; and sentences, paragraphs, and chpters in larger pieces of writing are the unit that by their progressive and logical arrangement, make for coherence22
4269457833enumeratioFigure of amplification in which a subject is divided into constituent parts or details, and may include a listing of causes, effects, problems, solutions, conditions, and consequences; the listing or detailing of the parts of something. Ex. I love her eyes, her hair, her nose, her cheeks, her lips. "Who's gonna turn down a Junior Mint? It's chocolate; it's peppermint; it's delicious. . . It's very refreshing!" - Kramer (Seinfeld).23
4269487857polysyndetonFigure of addition and emphasis which intentionally employs a series of conjunctions (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) not normally found in successive words, phrases or clauses; the deliberate and excessive use of conjunctions in successive words or clauses. The effect is a feeling of multiplicity, energetic enumeration, and building up - a persistence or intensity. Ex. They read and studied and wrote and drilled. I laughed and talked and flunked. "It's [foorball] a way of life, really, to those particular people who are a part of it. It's more than a game, and regardless of what level it's played upon, it still demands those attributes of courage and stamina and coordinated efficiency and goes even beyond that for [it] is a means - it provides a mental and physical relaxation to everybody that watches it, like yourself." - Vince Lombardi24
4269519571epanalepsisR​epetition at the end of a clause or sentence of the word or phrase with which it began: a combination of a​naphora​and e​pistrophe.​"​N​ext time​there won't be a n​ext time.​" (Phil Leotardo in T​he Sopranos)​ "A​lways​Low Prices. A​lways.​" (Walmart slogan)25
4269547501appositivea word or phrase that follow a noun or pronoun for emphasis or clarity26
4269564422zeugmaWhen a word is used with two adjacent words in the same construction, but only makes literal sense with one of them27
4269577636cogentconvincing ; reasonable28
4269589823didacticintended to instruct29
4269609329eloquencethe ability to speak vividly or persuasively30
4269655677anachronismSomething that is historically inaccurate for example the reference to a clock chiming in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar31
4269681772enjambmentA line of verse that flows on into the next line without a pause32
4269692062equivoqueSpecial type of pun that makes use of a single word or phrase which has two disparate meanings, in a context which makes both meanings equally relevant. The art of writing this pun is equivocation. As an example, an epitaph for a bank teller might read: He checked his cash, cashed in his checks, And left his window. Who is next?33
4269699933exemplumA story that contains or illustrates a moral point put forward as an "example."34
4269703659fabliauA short comic tale with a bawdy element. ex: Chaucer's The Miller's Tale contains elements of the fabliau.35
4269748754jargonA characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves); "they don't speak our lingo"36
4269754443litotesNoun. From Greek lítōtēs for "plain" or "simple." Assertion of an affirmative by negating its contrary. Example: "He's not the brightest man in the world," meaning "he is stupid." It is a simple form of understatement, often in Anglo-Saxon poetry, like Beowulf, it is a statement of grim irony. Example, in describing the dwelling place of the monster Grendel, Hrothgar states, "That is not a pleasant place." General example: "He is two bricks shy of a full load," meaning his reasoning powers are not all there.37
4270840954paradox(ical statement)apparently self-contradictory statement, the underlying meaning of which is revealed only by careful scrutiny. The purpose of a paradox is to arrest attention and provoke fresh thought38
4270863266vernacularthe characteristic language of a particular group (see also colloquialism); often slang or informal39
4270911373alliterationThe repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words (as in "she sells sea shells"). Although the term is not frequently in the multiple choice section, you can look for _____ in any essay passage. The repetition can reinforce meaning, unify ideas, supply a musical sound, and/or echo the sense of the passage40
4270916688antecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. The AP language exam occasionally asks for the _____ of a given pronoun in a long, complex sentence or in a group of sentences.41
4270947734epigraphthe use of a quotation at the beginning of a work that hints at its theme42
4270947391concrete languageLanguage that describes specific, observable things, people, or places, rather than ideas or qualities43
4270954990syntactic fluencyAbility to create a variety of sentence structures, appropriately complex and/or simple and varied in length44
4270967084consonancerepetition of a consonant sound within a series of words for a harmonious effect45
4270982190asyndetona deliberate omission of conjunctions in a series of related clauses. The parts are emphasized equally when the conjunction is omitted; in addition, the use of commas with no intervening conjunction speeds up the flow of the sentence46
4271012546TricolonSentence consisting of three parts of equal importance and length, usually three independent clauses.47
4271018269rhetorical questionone that does not expect an explicit answer. It is used to pose an idea to be considered by the speaker or audience.48
4271032571oxymorona figure of speech composed of contradictory words or phrases, such as "wise fool," bitter-sweet," "pretty ugly," "jumbo shrimp," "cold fire"49
4271038760motifmain theme or subject of a work that is elaborated on in the development of the piece; a repeated pattern or idea ex:In Mark Twain's "The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn", we see several motifs that support the central idea of the narrative. The motif of childhood gives the novel a lighter tone and makes it enjoyable to read despite its grave central idea i.e. slavery and racism50
4271058950inversionreversing the customary (subject first, then verb, then complement) order of elements in a sentence or phrase; it is used effectively in many cases, such as posing a question: "Are you going to the store?" Usually, the element that appears first is emphasized more than the subject.51
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pre ap world history Flashcards

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7526698802st augustine time300-4000
7526704064st augustine placerome italy1
7526724323philosophy 1god is omnipotent2
7526724407omnipotental powerful3
7526728215philosophy 2god is omniscient4
7526733794omniscientall knowing5
7526741759philosophy 3deprauity of man6
7526745819deprauity of manman is destined to go to hell7
7526750139philosophy 4salvation is god8
7526750140salvation of godgods grace9
7526761212ancient periodbeginning of time - 500 ad10
7526764061medieval period500-1500ad11
7526767459modern history1500-now12
7526776637augustine influenced _____protestants13
7526783184thomas aquilnas influenced ____catholics14
7526790473judaismhave no other god before me15
7526793573islamthere is no god but ali and muhammad is his messenger16
7526800736christianitylove god with all your heart soul and mind17
7526804308buddhismto end suffering you much quit desiring18
7526807499hinduismdo not change the ultimate balance of things (if you do it will bring bad karma19
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AP World History Chapter 20 Flashcards

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4080527381What role did Spain and Portugal play in the second wave of European imperialism?A minor role0
4080527382What was the long-term plan of the British for taking over control of India?The British had no long-range plan to take over India.1
4080527383What was the fate of decentralized societies that did not have a strong ruler or government under European conquest, such as the small kingdoms and chiefdoms of West Africa?They faced protracted, brutal warfare and mass destruction, village by village.2
4080527384Why did Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii become settler colonies in which Europeans formed the vast majority of the population?The native populations in these places had been decimated by European diseases.3
4080527385Which of the following best characterizes the response of most Asian and African societies to European conquests in the nineteenth century?Their responses ranged from active resistance to accommodation.4
4080527386How were such small numbers of Europeans able to govern such huge and populous territories?By reinforcing the power of local rulers and thus earning their loyalty5
4080527387What relationship existed between the number of white settlers and the degree of racial segregation and discrimination in African and Asian colonies?The more white settlers in a colony, the more racial discrimination there was.6
4080527388How did Europeans justify the paradox that they valued national independence and Enlightenment values such as freedom and equality, yet denied these things to the people they colonized?They feared the unrest that would occur if their colonial subjects learned modern values such as nationalism and democracy.7
4080527389What was the main motivation behind Europeans' widespread use of violence to force Africans to do hard labor?The cheap extraction of raw materials for industry8
4080527390Which of the following was NOT a prominent reason for the migration of millions of colonial subjects in Asia and Africa to work in European-owned enterprises?Better working conditions9
4080527391Which of the following best characterizes the new metropolises of the African and Asian colonial world?Overcrowded and unsanitary10
4080527392Which of the following was NOT a consequence of European colonialism for African women?Under the influence of Christianity, most women began to marry later and have smaller families.11
4080527393Which of the following best describes the aspirations of many of the Western-educated elite members of colonized societies?They hoped to use their knowledge to modernize and enlighten their countrymen.12
4080527394What is one reason that many non-Muslim Africans found Christianity so appealing?Christian schools and missions offered opportunity to the poor and oppressed in Africa.13
4080527395What role did Hindu leaders such as Swami Vivekananda see for Indian spirituality in terms of Western culture?They believed Indian spiritual beliefs could save the West from its own dangerous materialism.14
4080527396Why did Europeans so often use the notion of "tribe" to describe African societies?The notion conformed to European prejudices and aided colonial governance.15
4080527397In what ways did the new concept of "tribe" benefit many Africans?It gave them a support network when they had to migrate for work.16
4080527398Some African intellectuals sought to defend African culture by arguing that it was distinctive and valuable in all of the following ways EXCEPT:African culture was more warlike than European culture.17
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AP World History Flashcards

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5905180118It challenged the beliefs of religion.Why was the discovery of the remains of humanlike creatures initially upsetting?0
5905180119AfricaCurrent archaeological theory supports Louis and Mary Leakey/s discovery that the cradle of humanity is where?1
5905180120Bipedalism (walking on 2 legs), very large brains, and location of the larynxWhat traits do humans possess that distinguish them from other primates?2
5905180121How did the Great Ice Age affect plants and animals?3
5905180122Large BrainsThe success of Homo erectus over a span of one million years was due in large part to their what?4
5905180123material objects, clothing tools, and crafts along with beliefs, values and languageDefine culture5
5905180124What caused many species of large mammals to disappear between 40,000 and 10,000 years ago?6
5905180125Ukraine (southeast of Kiev)Where were the most permanent shelters constructed by Stone Age humans built?7
5905180126Diet of farmers was less varied and nutritious than the hunter and gatherersThe food supply of early farmers, compared with that of hunting and gathering peoples was8
5905180127violence and war broke out between villagesWhat occurred as a result of the growth of settled agricultural communities?9
5905180128FloodingWhy was Mesopotamia sometimes a dangerous place to live?10
5905180129Code of Hammurabi (principles for judges to employ)What is Babylonian leader Hammurabi best known for?11
5905180130Mesopotamia it was all agriculture so the men did it; however, in hunters and gathering the women get the food.Why did women in Mesopotamian society have a lower status than in a hunter-gatherer society?12
5905180131deposits of fertile soil and waterEarly societies developed civilizations in the floodplains of great rivers because the rivers and floodplains provided13
5905180132Stability in Egypt's landscape and tons of natural resourcesThe Egyptian creation myth presents the universe as orderly and benevolent. This is due to14
5905180133Egyptians believed a "divine king" was the source of law and justiceThe Mesopotamian law code is famous. Why didn't Egypt have a similar code of law?15
5905180134they worked on country estates or in royal householdsHow were slaves used in ancient Egypt?16
5905180135belief in afterlifeWhy is the Egyptian death ritual complex?17
5905180136Each civilization was centered on a river valleyWhat do Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley civilizations all have in common?18
5905180137Urban centers controlled farmlands around them.What do the architecture and layout of Indus Valley cities indicate?19
5905180138In the 2nd millennium BCE in the Yellow River ValleyIn East Asia the development of complex societies arose20
5905180139According to the theory, the ruler was chosen and favored by the supreme diety and would retain backing as long as he served as a wise, principled and energetic guardian of the peopleWhat is the Mandate of Heaven?21
5905180140Each person has a specific role to play w/ rules of conduct and ceremonial behavior.How does Confucian philosophy attempt to create societal harmony?22
5905180141All that matters is the individuals understanding of the "path."What is the fundamental idea behind Daoism?23
5905180142Male toughness is balanced by female gentlenessExplain the concept of the yin and the yang24
5905180143The era of the New Kingdom in Egypt is characterized by restoration of Egyptian rule and (66)25
5905180144His tomb was the only one not pillaged by robbersWhy is the pharaoh Tutankhamun famous?26
5905180145Very harshlyHow did the Egyptian government treat the Nubian people?27
5905180146illicd and the OdysseyThe myths and literary practices of the Mycenaeans may be traced through what source?28
5905180147Political unityEarly Greek cultural unity can best be explained by29
590518014815,000 yearsHow long did the Americas remain isolated from the rest of the world?30
5905180149Some warriors fought nakedWhat is a distinctive feature of Celtic military activity?31
5905180150The king controlled everything; successor was approved by oracles and elite.How did the Assyrians governed their empire?32
5905180151Superior military organization and technologyWhy were the Assyrians were able to conquer vast territories?33
5905180152Friction between nomadic herders and settled farmersThe stories of Cain and Abel and Sodom and Gomorrah reflect what?34
5905180153Murder, adultery, theft, lying, and envyThe basic tenets of Jewish belief and practice prohibit what?35
5905180154Made Jerusalem the political and religious centerWhen the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem, how did it transform the city?36
5905180155Jewish Diaspora (they separated)What happened to the Jews after the conquest of Israel and Judah?37
5905180156Canaanite modelsThe Phoenicians developed a system of writing based on what?38
5905180157They ran out of moneyWhat was the principal reason for the fall of the Assyrian Empire?39
5905180158What caused the economic decline in the Persian Empire?40
5905180159Very well and fairUnder King Darius' central body of law, how was the subject people in Persian territories treated?41
5905180160Struggle between good and evilExplain the basic concepts behind Zoroastrianism?42
5905180161Greeks produced new forms of literature, law codes, religious dedications, epitaphs on gravestones.How did the Phoenician alphabetic writing system benefit the Greeks?43
5905180162Because of the physical barriers between communities.Why did the polis or city-states develop in Greece?44
5905180163A military state of preparednessDescribe Spartan society?45
5905180164The spartans wonWhat was the result of the Persian Wars?46
5905180165Polis fostered rivalry, fear, and mistrust among neighboring communitiesHow does the Peloponnesian War reveal an inherent flaw in Greek society?47
5905180166divided into 3 kingdomsWhat happen to the empire of Alexander the Great after his death?48
5905180167The lands in NE Africa and W Asia were under greek rule.The Hellenistic Age refers to the49
5905180168Males could only vote. Wealthy votes counted more than poor.Describe the Roman democracy50
5905180169The romans emerged as unchallenged and acquired overseas territory.What happened as a result of defeating the Carthaginians?51
5905180170They took their land away and slaves took labor jobs.How did the Romans treat the people they conquered?52
5905180171A change in the composition of Rome's army.A critical factor contributing to the Senates loss of authority was53
5905180172Romanization- The spread of Latin language and roman way of life.What was one of the most enduring consequences of the Roman Empire?54
5905180173ConstantineWhich Roman emperor was the first to convert to Christianity?55
5905180174HiearchyBecause of the influence of Confucian ethics, Chinese values emphasized56
5905180175First RulerThe Qin ruler took the title Shi Huangdi, which meant what?57
5905180176Unified Chinese civilizationThe Qin emperor was committed to standardization of coinage, weights and measures, the law code, and writing. This shows a commitment to58
59051801771) developed a system for training officials to be intellectually capable. 2) set a code of contact.Why is the development of the scholar gentry a significant development during the Han59
5905180178used to regulate relations between different groupsWhy was the Varna system developed?60
5905180179a widespread belief in reincarnationHow is the class and the caste systems in India connected?61
5905180180"You are where you deserve to be."What is the underlying message of the cycle of reincarnation?62
5905180181Women were expected to be passive, chaste and devoted to their husband.What does the literature of the Vedic Age reveal about the role of women?63
5905180182By distancing oneself from desires of the world they will reach moksha and be releasedExplain the cycle reincarnation64
59051801831. life is suffering 2. suffering arises from desire 3.the solution is to not desire 4.follow 8 fold path to not desire.Siddhartha Gautama articulated the Four Noble Truths, which taught that65
5905180184NirvanaWhat is the ultimate spiritual reward in Buddhism?66
5905180185the worshiper's personal devotion to a particular deity.What does the religion of Hinduism emphasize?67
5905180186he preached nonviolence, morality, moderation, and religious tolerance.After converting to Buddhism, the Mauryan leader Ashoka became a unique leader because68
5905180187creating the silk roadHow did Southeast Asia first rise to prominence?69
5905180188bringing together Eurasian peoplesWhat is the most enduring effect of the Silk Road?70
5905180189Chariot warfare and mounted bowmen and stir upsWhat military technologies did the Silk Road spread?71
5905180190The seas were easily navigable w/ predictable windsWhy is the monsoon important to the Indian Ocean Trade?72
5905180191Indian Ocean trade was much lower than Mediterranean .What is the difference between the Indian Ocean trade and the Mediterranean trade?73
5905180192Why was trade across the Sahara accelerated?74
5905180193Sub- Saharan AfricaThe West African kingdom of Ghana was established because of the trade in75
5905180194The African network of cultural exchange can be described as76
5905180195Cultivation by hoe and digging stick.Describe the most common African form of agriculture77
5905180196Southeast Asia domesticated so did Egypt but Islamics and Israelites prohibit eating porkHow is the custom of eating pork an example of spreading ideas?78
5905180197BuddhismThe Silk Road and Indian Ocean trade fostered the spread of which religion?79
5905180198About a struggle between good and evilHow is Manichaeism similar to Zoroastrianism?80
5905180199Mecca is a pilgrimage site and is where the profit Muhammad was bornWhy is Mecca an important city?81
5905180200The Angel Gabriel spoke to himHow did Muhammad conceive Islam?82
5905180201Judaism and ChristianityMuhammad's teachings seem to be in agreement with what two main religions?83
5905180202People fought over who would become the new caliphateWhat happened to the Muslim community after Muhammad's death?84
5905180203Spain and Sicily and IndiaUnder the leadership of the caliphs, an enormous expansion was completed, including territory in85
5905180204The Muslims sought to force their faith on conquered people.What is one of the false assumptions about Muslim rule over foreign lands?86
5905180205Translation of Aristotle into Arabic, the founding of the main currents of theology and law, and the splendor of the Abbasid court.Why is the Abbasid rule consider a golden age?87
5905180206Blending Roman, Germanic, and Jewish traditions with ArabicHow did Umayyad Spain develop a distinctive Islamic culture?88
5905180207Under Islamic leadership, the Jewish people of Spain89
5905180208It went into the Dark AgesWhat happened to the Western Roman Empire after the fall of Rome in the fifth century?90
5905180209Relations between landholders and serfs varied a good deal from region to region.Why is the traditional description of Europe from 300 to 1200 as feudal an oversimplification?91
5905180210Feudal society was a specifically European response to92
5905180211Christian ChurchWhat sole institution claimed jurisdiction over a large segment of the European population?93
5905180212Religious legitimization of his ruleSecular rulers such as Charlemagne upheld papal rights in return for what?94
5905180213Celibacy, continual devotion to prayer, and living apart from society.What are some practices connected with monasticism?95
5905180214An authority that combined Caesar and papalDefine caesaropapism96
5905180215The Byzantine continued Roman rule and traditionHow did the Byzantines differ from their western counterparts?97
5905180216It became the basis for civil law in Western EuropeWhy is the Byzantine Corpus Juris Civilis important in the late eleventh century?98
5905180217Social and economic currents of the 11th century.Although the Crusades are viewed as a religious campaign, they were actually motivated by what?99
5905180218SuiWhich empire reunited China in the sixth century?100
5905180219They're economy relied on trade and communicationWhy is the Tang Empire considered cosmopolitan?101
5905180220Independent countries acknowledged supremacy of the emperor in China and they sent embassies back to pay tribute.Explain the tributary system102
5905180221Women were allowed to be seen in public and noblewoman could play polo.The Tang court gave women permission to103
5905180222Who did the Tang blame most for growing instability in the Empire?104
5905180223Monks assassinated the KingWhen the Tibetan government attempted to eradicate monasteries, Tibetan Buddhists responded by105
5905180224They wanted the most talented men for government serviceWhy did the Song institute the civil service examinations for entrance into the government bureaucracy?106
5905180225Changed Chinese terrain and agricultureThe development of movable type and the availability of printed material had what impact on China?107
5905180226Korean warriors united the small countries of Japan under a central governmentOn the basis of present evidence, most scholars believe that the first unification of central Japan occurred when108
5905180227The trung sisters were known as local heroes in Vietnam because they led an agricultural revoltWhat evidence show that women enjoyed greater status in Korea and Vietnam109
5905180228Narrow artificial islands anchored by trees and created by heaping lake muck and waste material on beds of reeds.Define Chinampas110
5905180229aligned w/ movements of the sun and venus, very detailedHow did the Maya's build their monuments?111
5905180230women maintained essential garden plot and weavingWhat was the role of Maya women?112
5905180231organizing the labor of the clans and additional laborers sent by defeated peoples to expand agricultural land.How did the Aztecs meet the challenges of feeding a growing population?113
5905180232War and AgriculturalThe twin temples of Tenochtitlan symbolize the two bases of what Aztec economy?114
5905180233war captivesAs sacrificial victims, Aztecs preferred115
5905180234vast herds of llamas and alpacasInca prosperity and military strength depended on what?116
5905180235a thinly veiled system of hostage taking and military garrisonsHow did the Inca ensure the loyalty of defeated regions?117
5905180236Inca RoadsInca's greatest accomplishment is the construction of what?118
5905180237Young virgins selected by representatives of the Inca ruler to serve the cult of the sun or be given as marriage partners and concubines to the ruler himself or inca nobles and favored nobles from dependencies.Who or what were the acllas?119
5905180238promoted the movement of ideas and people from one end of Eurasia to the otherWhat were the advantages of Mongol rule?120
5905180239They were superb riders and they were adept at shooting arrows from moving horses.Describe what Mongol warriors were well known for121
5905180240Their extraordinary weaponsWhy were the Mongols able to defeat the armies they faced?122
5905180241Trade increased greatlyWhat effects did the Mongol expansion have on trade?123
5905180242the government sold contracts to small companies and let them use any methods to collect moneyDefine Tax farming124
5905180243TimurWho was the last great Central Asian conqueror?125
5905180244Europeans believed there was an "Orient" that was uniform in its tastes and political cultures.The sharing of artistic trends and political ideas between Iran and China led to126
5905180245granted great privileges to the churchThe Mongols took what action against Russia's Orthodox church?127
5905180246Describe the setup of the Mongol army128
5905180247Diplomatic passports, the mining and uses of coal, movable type, high temp. metallurgy, efficient enumeration and higher mathematics, gunpowder, and the casting of bronze weapons.What did the Europeans learn from the Mongols?129
5905180248gave his oldest son a Chinese name and had Confucianists participate in his education, made Beijing capital.How did Khubilai Khan acknowledge the advantages of Chinese traditions?130
5905180249Destroyed the regimes and made Beijing the capital.How did the Mongol's create central control over China?131
5905180250Closed off the borders to foreigners and eradicated paper money and cut off trade.To demonstrate their rejection of the Mongols, the Ming emperor132
5905180251He sent Zheng-He by seaHow did Emperor Yongle restore commercial links with the Middle East?133
5905180252scarcity of metals, a large labor suplly lowered the need for mechanization, and educated men were drawn into government emplymentWhy did technological development slow down in the Ming period?134
5905180253Why did the Chinese rigorously censor information to foreigners?135
5905180254family influenceWhat influence did the Mongols have on Korea?136
5905180255printing pressWhat led to the rise of literacy in Korea?137
5905180256Kamikaze windsWhat prevented the Mongols from invading Japan?138
5905180257Gradual and peaceful expansionThe spread of Islam to lands south of the Sahara came about through139
5905180258To display the exceptional wealth of his empireWhat purpose did Mansa Musa's famous pilgrimage serve?140
5905180259Turkish adventurers from Central AsiaThe Turkish conquest of northern India was aided by what?141
5905180260DaughterSultan Iltutmish passed his empire to Raziya, his what?142
5905180261By religious tolerance and aggressive expansionHow did the Delhi Sultans control their empire in India?143
5905180262Commercial InterestsThe Indian Ocean trade was decentralized and cooperative and it was united by144
5905180263Mosques and a place of worshipThe cultural blending associated with the expansion and spread of Islam from 1200 to 1500 can be seen by examining145
5905180264Literacy, math, science, medicine of the Greeks and Islamic law, theology and administration.What did the spread of Islam between 1200 and 1500 encourage?146
5905180265Regional trade routesHow did Islam spread in Africa and Asia?147
5905180266Women gave birth, cooked, farmed, and were hostsWhat was the impact of Islam on women in the tropical regions?148
5905180267they were better treated slavesDescribe the life of serfs149
59051802681/3 every english personHow many people did the Black Death kill?150
5905180269laborers demanded higher payWhat was the social result of the Black Death epidemic?151
5905180270jews/muslims were expelledIn 1492, the Jews and Muslims of Spain were152
5905180271an association of men (rarely women), such as merchants, artisans, or professors who worked in a particular trade and banded together to promote their economic and political interests. They were important in other societies, such as the ottoman and safavid empiresWhich of the following is most true of guilds?153
5905180272charging high interest rates for loansThe Latin Church condemned usury, which was the practice of what?154
5905180273Efforts to synthesize reason and faithDefine Scholasticism155
5905180274Monarchs were subject to established law; independence of the church, granted nobles hereditary rightsIn 1215, King John of England signed the Magna Carta, which entailed156
5905180275A woman believing she was instructed by god to save FranceWho is Joan of Arc?157
5905180276permanent check on royal powerWhat powers did the English Parliament possess by 1500?158
5905180277predictable windsWhy was Sailing in the Indian Ocean less difficult and dangerous than other places?159
5905180278muslim traders had a common language, ethic, and law and spread religionHow did the rise of Medieval Islam give trade in the Indian Ocean an important boost?160
5905180279because they didn't want contact w/ mongols.Why did the Ming court suspend the voyages of Zheng He?161
5905180280Spain and PortugalWhat two nations began a maritime revolution that profoundly altered the course of world history?162
5905180281caravel/astrolabeAn important addition to the maritime revolution was163
5905180282Bartolomeu DiasWho was the first Portuguese explorer to reach the southern tip of Africa and view the Indian Ocean?164
5905180283To complete columbus's voyage westwardWhat was Magellan's westward voyage intended to do?165
5905180284Unlike the Spanish empire that was almost exclusively American, the Portuguese empire included colonies and outposts in Asia and Africa as well as Brazil.What is the difference between the Spanish Empire and the Portuguese Empire?166
5905180285AmerindiansSpanish capture of the Aztec capital was assisted by what?167
5905180286they kidnapped their leaderHow did Francisco Pizarro defeat the Inca Empire?168
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AP Literature "General" Flashcards

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5468168712AllusionA reference, explicit or implicit, to something in previous literature or history0
5468178914GenreA type or class, as poetry, drama, etc1
5468183222ImageryThe representation through language of sensory experience2
5468198843MoodThe pervading impression of a work3
5468201895ThemeThe main idea, or message, of literary work. Themes often explore timeless and universal ideas and may be implied rather than stated explicitly.4
5468234652ToneThe writer's or speaker's attitude toward the subject, the audience, or herself or himself; the emotional coloring, or emotional meaning of a work5
5468254167SymbolSomething that means more than what it is; an object, person, situation, or action that in addition to its literal meaning suggests other meanings as well, a figure of speech which may be read both literally and figuratively.6
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AP Literature Poetic Devices Flashcards

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3522059965AllegoryA form of extended metaphor in which objects, persons, and actions in a narrative, either in prose or verse, are equated with meaning that lie outside the narrative itself.0
3522065467AlliterationRepetition of consonant sounds within a line of poetry.1
3522065468AllusionA reference, explicit or implicit, to something in previous literature or history.2
3522065594ApollonianA term devised to describe literary writing (poetry and prose) which is characterized by form, symmetry, reason, order, moral rectitude, discipline, well balanced and objective view of nature.3
3522077161ApostropheA figure of speech in which someone, some abstract quality, or a nonexistent personage is directly addresses as though alive and capable of understanding.4
3522155788AubadeA dawn song which usually expresses the regret of two lovers that day has come too soon to separate them.5
3522155789BalladA simple poem which deals with a dramatic situation, usually created for singing.6
3522155790Blank Verseunrhymed iambic pentameter.7
3522158601Carpe Diem"Seize the day" -- this Epicurean motif in poetry advises the reader to enjoy the present pleasure because of the brevity of life and finality of death.8
3522158602ClicheAn overuse phrase which has lost its freshness. however, poets sometimes use them for ironic purposes in poems.9
3522158603ConceitA far-fetched, extended or fantastic metaphor comparing two unlike objects with powerful effect by arousing feelings of surprise, shock or amusement.10
3522161907Connotationwhat a word suggested beyond its basic definition; a word's overtones or cluster of implications that a word of phrase may carry with them as distinguished from their denotative meaning.11
3522290573Denotationthe specific, exact meaning of a word, independent of its emotional coloration or associations.12
3522315151DionysianA term used to describe literary writing (poetry and prose) which is intuitive, chaotic, orgiastic, frenzied, uninhibited, reckless, irrational, and an essential continuity with natural and cosmic order. It is nurtured by a belief that man participates in a drama of eternal repetition which is rooted in a cyclical view of nature.13
3522315152Dramatic MonologueA lyric poem told by one speaker about a dramatic event in which he/she is involved. the speaker demonstrates his character through the poem. The speaker addresses a listener who does not speak but whose presence help to develop the speaker's speech.14
3522315153ElegyA lyric poem that mediates upon the death of an individual, the absence of something deeply loved, or the transience of mankind. It has a solemn dignified tone as it laments the loss of something dear.15
3522315154EnjambementEmployment of "run-on" lines which carry the completion of a statement from one line to another without rhetorical pause.16
3522315155ImageryThe representation in poetry of any sense experience. It does not consist merely of "mental picture," but may make an appeal to any of the senses.17
3522315156IronyA situation, or use of language, involving some kind of incongruity or discrepancy, the contrast between actual meaning and the suggestion of another meaning.18
3522523628Verbal IronyMeaning one thing and saying the opposite of what is intended, e.g., understatement, overstatement, naiveté, foreshadowing.19
3522523629Dramatic Ironya device by which the author implies a different meaning from that intended by the speaker in a literary work, in drama this device is evident when contrast exists between what a character says and what the audience knows is true.20
3522625814JuxtapositionLiterary technique of placing two images or symbols close together for the purpose of comparison or contrast.21
3522628192Metaphora figure of speech in which an implied analogy imaginatively identifies one object with another and ascribes to the first one or more of the qualities of the second or invests the first with emotional or imaginative qualities associated with the second. a literary comparison used to show the subtle resemblance between a particular person, place, or event to a more universal individual, place, or incident.22
3522628193Metonymya figure of speech which is characterized by the substitution of a term naming an object closely associated with the word in mind for the word itself. in this way a writer may speak of the kings as "the crown," an object closely associated with kingship.23
3522628194NaiveteMay serve as a special form of irony which employs innocence and simplicity.24
3522628742Narrative Poemtells a story in a highly objective way by a speaker who is detached from the action. the thoughts and feeling os the speaker do not enter the poem.25
3522639104Odecomplex lyric poem written about a dignified lofty subject.26
3522850757Onomatopoeialiterary technique in which combinations of words imitate sounds.27
3522850758Oxymoronfigure of speech which combines two contradictory terms to express a condensed paradox. It is used poetically to express religious mysteries which seem to be beyond human understanding. seeks to create a unity rather than a division.28
3522855255Overstatementa figure of speech in which conscious exaggeration is used without the intent of literal persuasion. It may be used to heighten effect or it may be used to produce comic relief.29
3522855256PalindromeA word, sentence or verse which reads alike backwards or forward, e.g., "Madam, I'm Adam"30
3522859451Paradoxa statement or situation which seems on the surface contradictory or untrue, but proves valid upon closer inspection. it is closely related to irony.31
3522946670Pathetic Fallacyterm coined to describe the tendency of poets to credit nature with the feelings of human beings. Example: "the dew shall waves."32
3522946671Personificationa figure of speech which endows animals, ideas, abstractions, and inanimate objects with human form, character, or sensibilities.33
3522946672Similecomparison of one thing with another, announced by the word "like" or "as"34
3522948876Sonneta lyric poem of 14 lines, usually about love, definite rhyme patterns, two major types; Petrarchan or Italian which is divided into eight lines (octave) and six lines (sestet). Shakespearean or English which is divided into three quatrains or four lines each and a two line couplet at the end.35
3522953251Synecdochea metaphoric form which uses a part of something to signify the whole (something); thus the part signifies the whole. in order to be clear, it must be based on an important part of the whole and not a minor part and, usually, the part selected to stand for the whole must be the part most directly associated with the subject under discussion. Example: "motor" for "automobile", "honey" for "bee".36
3523110158Tonethe writer's or speaker's attitude or mood toward his subject and his audience, and sometimes toward himself.37
3523114537Understatementa form of irony in which something is intentionally represented as less than in fact it is, or of saying what one means with less force than the occasion warrants.38
3523152205Villanellea nineteen (19) line lyric poem which is divided into five tercets and one quatrain. two rhymes or repeated lines predominate with a rhyme scheme aba aba aba aba aba abaa, line 1 is represented exactly in line 6, 12, and 18, while line 3 is repeated exactly in lines 9, 15, and 19.39
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AP Language Vocabulary #4 Flashcards

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3278633904inviolableadj. protected; sacred; holy0
3278635971insatiableadj. unable to be satisfied; greedy; voracious1
3278637471intrepidadj. fearless; brave2
3278638729unflappableadj. not easily annoyed; even-tempered; patient3
3278640654inauspiciousadj. boding ill; ominous; unpromising; portentous4
3278643247incorporealadj. having no physical body; intangible;air5
3278652100indefatigableadj. tireless; determined6
3278653874unscathedadj. unharmed, esp. after a battle or attack7
3278655147unfoundedadj. describing, usually, statements or reports which have no bias in fact8
3278657457impiousadj. disdaining societal norms; irreverent; blasphemous; heretical9
3278660234immutableadj. unchanging; permanent; fixed; scrosanct10
3278662470unorthodoxadj. unconventional; unusual, usually said of a persons method's, views, or mannerisms.11
3278665466revitalziedadj. reinvigorated; rejuvenated v. given new freshness or life12
3278667675unsubstantiatedadj. as yet, groundless, unfounded; yet to be proven13
3278674355revokev. to remove a right or privilege; cancel; rescind14
3278676225unremittinglyadj. ceaselessly; unendingly15
3278677666unparalleledadj. unequalled; unexcelled16
3278680055unwarrantedadj. not called-for; undeserved17
3278681669untenableadj. indefensible, usually said of an opinion or a military postion18
3278683503unfazedv. totally unaffected by an event; unharmed19
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AP Language And Composition Terminology Flashcards

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4798225649Appeals (Ethical, Emotional, Logical) "Rhetorical Triangle"Ethical (Ethos) = Moral character; A means of convincing someone of the character or credibility of the persuader. Emotional (Pathos) = Emotion; A quality of an experience in life or a work of art that stirs up emotions of pity, sympathy, and sorrow. Logical (Logos) = Reason or logic; A statement, sentence, or argument used to convince or persuade the targeted audience by employing reason or logic; Provide concrete evidence to support your claims.0
4798230413ArgumentA brief summary; An opening to a novel which presents presents the main theme of the work; Presenting evidence.1
4798245439Defend, Challenge, QualifyDefend = Support = Agree Challenge = Argue = Disagree Qualify = Defending and Challenging2
4798283400DiscourseA costume or set of instructions that make us recognizable; A combination of acts. Primary Discourse = Home and Families Secondary Discourse = Social institutions Secondary Dominant Discourse = Allow for acquisition of social good and status points Secondary Nondominant Discourse = Opposite of Dominant3
4798294312RhetoricThe art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.4
4798323004Rhetorical DevicesA technique that an author or speaker uses to convey to the listener or reader a meaning with a goal of persuading him or her towards considering a topic from a different perspective, using sentences designed to encourage or provoke a rational argument from an emotional display of a given perspective or action; Alliteration, allusion, foreshadowing, hyperbole, metaphor, onomatopoeia, personification, simile, etc.5
4798333902Rhetorical ModesA common pattern of argument; Give you ready-made approaches to writing essays. Types = Example/Illustration, Classification, Comparison and Contrast, and Analogy6
4798808481SemanticsThe meaning of the vocabulary in a sentence. Correct semantics may not have perfect syntax.7
4801736421StyleThe literary element the describes the ways that the author uses words; The author's word choice, sentence structure, figurative language, and sentence arrangement all work together to establish mood, images, and meaning in the text.8
4798815847ThesisClearly communicate, in one or two sentences, the main idea of what you want your audience to know. All theses should be debatable, take a clear position on the prompt, and be specific as possible. A debatable thesis shows a side that is obviously one of two or more sides. A clear position for your thesis shows you are 100% agreeing with one side. A specific thesis gets right into the in-depth details that will be discussed in the essay and leaves no room for wondering.9
4801742492ConnotationThe feelings or emotions attached to a word; Negative and positive connotation are determined on the usage of a word in a sentence.10
4801744348DenotationThe literal meaning of a word11
4801749967DictionHow an author chooses words to best communicate their point of view; What word is best suited for the sentence?; The choice of one word over another. Formal Diction = Creates elevated tone; Fancy. Informal Diction = Relaxed, conversational language. Strong Diction = Sophisticated words. Weak Diction = Overused, boring words.12
4801771954Ellipsis"Dot dot dot" (...) 1. Could mean that the writer has paused their thought process. 2. Could mean that words have been omitted from a piece of text. Formatting Rules: Three dots; Space between, before, and after dots; Stays on one line; Breaks up a long writing to simpler sentences; Four dots if the quote ends in a period; Ending with a terminal exclamation (!, ?, .), the ellipsis is put before the punctuation; Cannot cut out important words that show what the sentence means; May show that time has passed; May show an unfinished list; Maybe ran out of dialogue.13
4801796754EquivocationA fallacy depending on the double meaning of a word; An argument that uses one word to mean two different things; Mistakenly equating two different meanings of one word.14
4801806559EuphemismA generally innocuous word or expression used in place of one that may be found offensive or suggest something unpleasant.15
4801841915HyperboleOver-exaggeration; A figure of speech, which involves an exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis.16
4801849145JuxtapositionA literary technique in which two or more ideas, places, characters and their actions are placed side by side in a narrative or a poem for the purpose of developing comparisons and contrasts; Used as a persuasive strategy to articulate meaning; The matching of opposites alters or adds to the original meaning of those concepts or reveals a surprising relationship.17
4801874725MalapropismUsing a wrong word in place of a similar sounding word.18
4801886460MoodCan be referred to as atmosphere because it creates an emotional setting enveloping the reader; Provides a feeling for the narrative; Created during setting, tone, voice, theme, and diction develop mood; The general feeling or atmosphere that a piece of writing creates within the reader.19
4801911245Non Sequitur And Broken LogicDoes not follow logic or reason; Changing the order of information may change conclusions; Logical fallacy.20
4801924658PedanticSomeone who is concerned with precision, formalism, accuracy, minute details in order to make arrogant and ostentatious show of learning; Being showy of one's knowledge, often boring in manner.21
4801933581PlatitudeWords or phrases that are drearily commonplace and predictable that lack power to evoke interest through overuse or repetition, that nevertheless are stated as though they were original or significant; Commonly in advertisements; Shows that you are like everybody else22
4801946300PolemicA controversy, debate or dispute, or a person who is inclined to argue; A written attack on a political decision is an example; A person who argues about science or religion or about how science and religion interest is an example; A strong attack on someone else's beliefs; Polemics is the art of debate23
4801961933Sarcasm And Verbal IronySaying the opposite of what you mean is verbal irony; Seeking to be pointed and mean with the opposite that you mean is sarcasm.24
4798808480SyntaxGrammar; The rules for what kinds of words, parts of a language, or vocabulary you can put in what order. What is right for one language may not be for another.25
4801973271ToneThe emotional feel of a piece of writing; Depends on what is happening in the story; Connected to what the narrator is feeling; Can change throughout the story26
4801986874TransitionMake clear what one thing has to do with another; Helps with flow; Can show contrast, similarity, or sequence. 1. Those that transition through words; Establishing a connection between two things in writing. 2. Those that transition through ideas; Make a reference to draw a connection.27
4802002158UnderstatementA form of speech or disclosure which contains an expression of less strength than what would be expected; Lessens the importance of what is meant28
4802008846VoiceAn individual writing style of an author, a combination of idiotypical usage of syntax, diction, punctuation, character development, dialogue, etc., within a given body of text. Active v. Passive Active = When the verb of a sentence is in the active voice, the subject doing the acting acts in relation to the object. Passive = A verb is in the passive voice when the subject of the sentence is acted on by the verb29
4802035557AllegoryA story with two levels of meaning; There's the surface of the story, which is the characters and plot; Then there's the symbolic level, or the deeper meaning that all the stuff in the story represents.30
4802035558AlliterationA string of words that begin with the same letter or sound.31
4802035559AllusionA figure of speech that makes an 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.32
4802036415AnalogyA literary device that creates a relationship based on parallels or connections between two ideas; By establishing this relationship, the new idea is introduced through a familiar comparison, thus making the new concept easier to grasp; In-depth comparisons that indicate more of a direct relationship between two things.33
4802036416AnecdoteA short story or narrative that is within an argument and is used to support an argument; Gives the ability to connect with the reader; A story within a story34
4802036417IronyAn expression of meaning by using words that mean another thing; A figure of speech in words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words; It may also be a situation that may end up incite a different way than what is generally anticipated. Situational v. Dramatic v. Verbal: Situational = What happens is that opposite of what is anticipated. Dramatic = The audience knows something that the actors don't; Not the same as foreshadowing; The audience doesn't know anything. Verbal = A writer or speaker says the opposite of what they actually mean to say.35
4802037370MetaphorA figure of speech; A comparison that is definite, not a similarity, but is not actually literal or direct.36
4802037371MotifAny recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story; Through its reputation, a motif can help produce other narrative, or literary, aspects such as theme or mood.37
4802037372OxymoronTwo things that are opposite are put together to have one meaning of it's own for a phrase.38
4802037373ParadoxA statement that contradicts itself or two ideas that cannot both be true; An oxymoron is a simple paradox; A situational paradox is one that just doesn't seem like it could be true; Characters can show paradoxes; Paradoxes introduce conflict, add depth to a story, can be clever or comical, can help explain a confusing situation, create excitement, add confusion, and make readers think.39
4802038646Parallel Syntax (Parallelism)The use of components in a sentence that are grammatically the same or similar in their construction, sound, meaning, or meter.40
4802038647ParodyA work that imitates another work in order to ridicule, ironically comment on, or poke some affectionate fun at the work itself or the subject of the work; Often mock serious works of literature, music, artwork or film--for satirical or humorous purposes.41
4802038648PunA play on words in which a humorous effect if produced by using a word that suggests two or more meanings or by exploiting similar sounding words having different meanings; Humorous effects created by puns depend upon the ambiguities words entail.42
4802038649SatireA work that ridicules its subject, through the use of specific techniques; Although satire is usually witty, and often very funny, the purpose of satire is not 'just' humor but criticism of an individual or a group. Four Techniques: 1. Exaggeration = To represent something beyond normal bounds so that it becomes ridiculous and its faults can be seen. 2. Incongruity = To present things that are out of place or are absurd in relation to their surroundings. 3. Reversal = To present the opposite of the normal order. 4. Parody = To imitate the techniques/style of some person, place, or thing in order to ridicule the original; The reader must know the original text that is being ridiculed.43
4802224488SimileA figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things; A simile draws resemblance with the help of the words "like" or "as"; It is a direct comparison.44
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