AP Language Terms Flashcards

14427502025	Active Voice	One of two "voices" of verbs. The subject is doing the action Ex: Giovi kicked the ball.	0
14427502026	Adage	A proverb or a memorable saying. It can be true or not so much. Ex: "an apple a day keeps the doctor away"	1
14427502409	Ad Hominem	A response to a person's argument by attacking the person's character rather than the logic or content of the argument. Ex: You can't argue in favor of vegetarism if you like steak.	2
14427503178	Allegory	It is a poem, story or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning. Ex: Animal Farm	3
14427503179	Alliteration	Repetition of a consonant or cluster, two or more words in a row starting with the same sound. Ex: Larry's lizard likes lounging in the sun.	4
14427503547	Allusion	It is a brief reference to something. When a writer mentions other works, or refers to an earlier part of the current work. Ex: What are you, some sort of Prince Charming?	5
14427503548	Ampersand	The shorthand symbol for "and" (&) Ex: You & Me (James TW)	6
14427503841	Anadiplosis	When the last word of a sentence is repeated as the first word of the following sentence. Ex: When I give, I give everything.	7
14427508332	Analogy	A comparison where an idea or thing is compared to something that it's different from. Ex: "What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other word would smell as sweet. So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called..." (William Shakespeare)	8
14427508333	Anaphora	The repetition of the first part of the sentence, used to emphasize certain words or phrases. Ex: I live for my love, I live for my passion, I live for life itself.	9
14427508974	Anecdote	An anecdote is a story about a real person on event, it is usually known to be entertaining and relevant to the conversation. Ex: You know, when I was a kid, my dog was my best friend. My childhood was better because of him.	10
14427508975	Antecedent	Phrase or word to which a noun or pronoun refers. Word or pronoun in a line or sentence refers to an earlier word. Ex: Mary ran to the woods, she chose to stay there	11
14427508976	Antithesis	Rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas are connected in a sentence so that contrast can be seen. Ex: You are easy on the eyes, but hard on the heart.	12
14427509620	Aphorism	A short statement about a general truth, or good advice. It is like a "saying". Ex: If you judge a fish by its ability to climb trees, it will spend its whole life thinking it is stupid. (Albert Einstein)	13
14427510019	Apostrophe (Dramatic Term)	A figure of speech sometimes represented by an exclamation, for example, "Oh." Ex: O strange it is the future! O despairing and cold.	14
14427510020	Appositive	A word that helps rename another word that's beside it. Ex: The room, a large marble walled monster that filled with light, made me feel tiny	15
14427510440	Archetype	A typical example that represents a universal pattern of human nature, it is a common representation of a structure. Ex: The Hero	16
14427510942	Argumentation	An action that requires reasoning that hopes to demonstrate a point. Usually seen in a discussion in which there are two points of view. Ex: Toia uses logical reasons on why she should be allowed to go out to party with her friends	17
14427510943	Assonance	Repetition of vowel sound of two or more words that are close to each other but start with different consonant sounds. Ex: To look forward once again	18
14427511985	Asyndeton	The elimination, or leaving out of conjunctions. Ex: Talk to me. Love me. Need me.	19
14427512307	Auditory Imagery	Used to appeal to the sense of hearing, uses sounds to show ideas or actions. Invokes sound in the minds of the reader. Ex: The knocking on that wooden door brought me back to autumn. All I could hear was the swift graze of dresses against the ground as the ladies danced around in that vast park.	20
14427512308	Balanced Sentence	Sentence made up of two equal parts in length and in grammatical structure. They can be separated by a semicolon or words like "but", "or", "and" Ex: Every person is entitled to their own opinion, and every opinion should be important to each person.	21
14427513053	Bandwagon Appeals	A method used by a writer to persuade its reader, so if the majority could agree with the argument of the reader. It is often used in propaganda. Ex: Everyone is buying buckets of water, so that is definitely what we need.	22
14427513054	Begging the Question	When the writer or speaker assumes that his/her statement is true. If the statement can be questioned, then the argument is bad. Ex: My opinion is important because people should be able to have opinions	23
14427513458	Burlesque	A form of satire, it creates humor by mocking serious works, genres, etc. It is a tool used for making fun of someone or something. Ex: (Original) Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you! (Mock) Roses prick your fingers, violets make you sneeze, sugar fills your veins with fat, it's best to stick to peas!	24
14427513459	Cacophony	Combination of words with harsh sounds. Used for a noisy poetic effect. Ex: That gutting, grumbling sound that jarringly screamed at me, made me want to cry.	25
14427513730	Caricature	In literature, it is described as a character who is given over exaggerated or oversimplified characteristics and features. Ex: Her eyes bore a hole through me, as she spat words with her snake tongue. Her cheeks growing red just like a tomato, and her ears were smoking, she was indeed mad.	26
14427513731	Chiasmus	A rhetorical figure that is composed of two or more phrases in which the grammatical structure inverts a previous phrase. Ex: Did I fall for you because you love me, or do you love me because I fell for you?	27
14427514007	Colloquialism	Use of informal words, could even be considered "slang" Ex: "Want to= Wanna" "You all= Y'all"	28
14427514008	Compound Sentence	Composed of two or more independent clauses that have related ideas. Can be joined by a coordinated conjunction (and, or, yet, etc.) or by a semicolon. Ex: My heart is full; I am happy	29
14427514493	Complex Sentence	Composed of an independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Ex: I am tired from all the running around	30
14427515156	Compound-Complex Sentence	Sentences that have at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. Ex: I do not like talking about my feelings because there is no point to them, so I just talk about trivial stuff.	31
14427517647	Connotation	Refers to a meaning implied by a word, apart from its explicit meaning. Ex: "There is no place like home"	32
14427518194	Consonance	Repetitive sounds done by consonants in a sentence or phrase. Ex: Shelly sells sea shells by the sea shore	33
14427518195	Concession	Used in argumentative writing, agreeing or acknowledging the point of the opposing side. Ex: While I understand the fact that buying a new phone is expensive and right now is not the time to be making those kinds of spendings, I do believe that the benefit of being able to communicate faster, outweighs the high price that comes with a new phone.	34
14427519853	Conditional Statement	Sentence that expresses a condition. Composed off of an independent clause and a dependent clause that almost always begins with "if." Ex: If I finish the classwork, I can go out with my friends	35
14427519854	Counterargument	Response given when there is an opposition to someones ideas or claims. Ex: (argument) It is moral and ethical to share your things with others. (opposition) However, this could make people think it's okay to ask too much of you.	36
14427520267	Cumulative Sentence	Sentence that puts forth the main idea first and then provides details to support it. Starts with an independent clause, then adds subordinate elements or modifiers. Ex: I like different types of genres, like rock, pop, classical and RnB.	37
14427520268	Denotation	Literal or dictionary definition of a word. Ex: Highlighter- a felt-tip pen with a wide nib for highlighting passages of printed material in a soft, transparent color.	38
14427520269	Deduction	Method of reasoning that goes from general to specific. It's based on a hypothesis on how something is supposed to happen. Ex: All men are mortal. John is a man. Therefore, John is mortal.	39
14427520675	Diction	Style of speaking or writing that is set, or determined by a speaker or a writer. Ex: "good bye"-"adieu"	40
14427520676	Discourse	Any written or spoken communication. It usually is associated with a type of speech Ex: "I Have a Dream" (Martin Luther King Jr.)	41
14427520926	Dramatic Irony	Device found in plays, movies, theaters, etc. Authors use this device so that the audience knows more about the situation than sometimes the characters themselves. Ex: Aurora (sleeping beauty) did not know about the curse set on her 16th birthday. The audience, having heard the prophecy before, did.	42
14427520927	Ellipsis	Omission of words that are unnecessary or understood. Ex: (original) I went to the mall on Monday and she went to the mall on Sunday. (omission) I went to the mall on Monday and she on Sunday Another definition is the use of the series of three dots (...) that omit parts of sentence but do not change the meaning of it. Ex: So...what is wrong, then?	43
14427521742	Ethos	A method in rhetoric that appeals to the credibility, and involves persuasion. Ex: Nutritionists all over the world recommend our products.	44
14427521743	Epanalepsis	Figure of speech that that the beginning of a clause is repeated at the end of that same clause. Ex: Beloved is mine; she is Beloved.	45
14427522528	Euphemism	A less offensive way of delivering a message or saying something. Meant to hide the unpleasantness. Ex: He's a little tipsy (drunk)	46
14427522529	Euphony	Use of words that are distinguished by having a wide range of noteworthy melody or "loveliness" Ex: Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky.	47
14427522534	Extended Metaphor	Comparison between two unlike things that can be as long as a few sentences or a paragraph. Ex: "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts." (William Shakespeare)	48
14427523039	False Dilemma	Belief or caim based on mistaken reasoning. Fallacy based on an "either-or" type of argument. Ex: You either show me love or leave me.	49
14427523040	Figurative Language	The use of figures of speech to be more effective, and impactful. Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Onomatopoeia, etc. Ex: Can you scream like an eagle?	50
14427523434	Foreshadowing	When a writer hints or gives signs as to what is going to happen later on in the story. Ex: Although the kids where singing in the park and the babies smiled in their cradles, dark storms appeared in the faraway sky.	51
14427523435	Gustatory Imagery	Imagery related to the sense of taste. Meaning, imagery that describes something that can be tasted. Ex: The thick iron flavor that came with blood, filed in my throat.	52
14427523932	Hyperbole	Figure of speech known to exaggerate to show emphasis. Ex: I cried my heart out the other night.	53
14427523933	Hypophora	Writer asks a question then immediately answers it. IT is similar to a rhetorical question but they are slightly different. Ex: Why should I keep on trying to be your friend? There are many reasons obviously, but it baffles me how you don't try at all.	54
14427523934	Idiom	A phrase that is comprised of two or more words but does not make sense if it's taken literally. Ex: They cut my wings off, and then they ask me to fly.	55
14427524336	Induction	Opposite of deduction, happens when a conclusion is reached through reasoning based on using facts that lead to a general trend. Ex: I saw 5 or 6 people walking their dogs in the park today, therefore, everyone in this park has a dog.	56
14427524337	Invective	Form of speech or writing that attacks a person or a situation. It involves negative and abusive language and it is used to show the depth of the emotions by the writer. Ex: I would never be with someone like him, except maybe if we were the only two people in the world.	57
14427525249	Inversion	Literary technique that reverses the normal order of the words in order to achieve emphasis. Ex: How wonderful the moon looks tonight!	58
14427525250	Isocolon	Figure of speech where there are two or more parts of a sentence that are equal in length and structure. Ex: Buy one, get one	59
14427525531	Jargon	Use of specific words or phrases that are correctly used in a particular situation and understood only by the subjects of the group that perform a specific trade. Ex: Page doctor Murphy, stat (page=call, stat=immediately)	60
14427525537	Juxtaposition	Literary technique that places two or more ideas, things, places, etc. Side by side to be able to make comparisons and contrast between them.	61
14427526032	Kairos	A technique used to build a sense of urgency on the reader, usually used in advertisements. Ex: Summer sale! All items 70% off until August 28	62
14427526033	Kinesthetic Imagery	Poetic device that is used to describe movement or flow of things. Ex: The fingers run through the silk like fiber, like soft petals on skin.	63
14427526399	Litotes	A technique used to show understanding by using double negatives. Ex: My head does not hurt that much anymore.	64
14427526400	Logical Fallacy	Bad reasoning of an argument. Often used unintentionally but can also be used intentionally to manipulate or mislead the reader or audience. Ex: He doesn't text you as much as he did before, he is probably bored, you should break up with him.	65
14427526787	Loose Sentence	Also known as a cumulative sentence, begins with the main clause and its followed by phrases that modify the main clause. Ex: I want to sleep early tonight since I came back from my trip and I am super tired	66
14427526788	Logos	Form of persuasion that appeals to logic by employing reasoning. Ex: Running makes you fit. Emily runs everyday. Therefore, Emily is fit.	67
14427526789	Metaphor	A hidden comparison between two things that do not necessarily need to be related, but share the same characteristics. Ex: That test was a piece of cake	68
14427527610	Metonymy	The replacement of the name of something with the name of another thing which is closely associated. Ex: The pen is mightier than the sword	69
14427530196	Mood	Element used to cause certain feelings or vibes in the readers. Often referred as the "atmosphere" of the work. Ex: There was a certain darkness in that night, somehow the trees looked like shapes out of a horror movie, and the wind sounded like a scream of pain.	70
14427530197	Motif	Something in a literary work that is constantly repeating itself. Ex: A blue bird that appears briefly on a windowsill each morning (because the main character will take off and leave the only home she's known)	71
14427530203	Non-sequitur	A statement that has a conclusion that does not logically follow a line of reasoning. Ex: Maya likes to eat sushi. She must love the hunting of whales	72
14427530589	Olfactory Imagery	Language that appeals to the readers sense of smell. Ex: I remember that summer like it was yesterday, walking through the pier as I smelled the soft sea breeze. I wished I could stay there forever.	73
14427530590	Onomatopoeia	Words that are used to imitate the natural sound of things. Ex: A clock = tick-tock	74
14427532375	Oxymoron	When two opposing ideas are joined to create an effect. Ex: loving hatred	75
14427532376	Parable	Short story that usually ends with a moral lesson. Ex: The Boy Who Cried Wolf	76
14427532377	Paradox	A statement that is contradictory but holds some truth to it. Ex: I can resist anything but temptation	77
14427533176	Parallelism	Phrases that are constructed the same and add balance and rhythm to the sentence. Ex: Like father, like son.	78
14427536393	Parody	Imitation of a piece of art and the exaggeration of it to deliberately produce a comic effect. Ex: Pride and Prejudice with Zombies	79
14427537338	Passive Voice	When in a sentence the action or the object of the sentence is emphasized as opposed to the subject. Ex: They were tired of listening to lies.	80
14427537339	Pathos	A method of persuasion that appeals to the emotion of the reader. Ex: And there will come a time when you're alone in your bed, and hoping that I'm there beside you. Sadly, I will have grown tired.	81
14427537529	Periodic Sentence	Sentence that has the predicate at its end. Used for emphasis and suspense. Ex: In spite of all the fights and arguments they had, they continued to be together.	82
14427538623	Personification	Giving an object, idea or animal human traits. Ex: The wind sang the songs heard many years ago.	83
14427538624	Point of View	The way or perspective to consider things in a story or situation. Ex: First person-I broke my leg last summer. Second person- You broke your leg last summer Third person: She broke her leg last summer	84
14427539882	Point of View (first person)	Involves the use of the pronouns "I" or "we" Ex: I wanted to buy some french fries.	85
14427540520	Point of View (stream of consciousness)	Method that allows the readers to understand the thoughts inside the characters mind. Also known as interior monologue. Ex: What a disgusting creature to spend time with. If only I knew, I would have never left my house.	86
14427540853	Point of View (omniscient)	When the narrator knows all of the thoughts and feelings of all of the characters in the story. Ex: "A few creatures came and looked at them when the fire had died away. A fox passing through the wood on business of his own stopped several minutes and sniffed." (The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien)	87
14427541455	Point of View (limited omniscient)	Narrator only knows the thoughts and feelings of only one character. Ex: J.K. Rowling does this in Harry Potter, where we know every thought and feeling about him, without him ever directly narrating.	88
14558702108	Point of View (third person)	The narrator is not a character. Uses "he, she, they" Ex: They joined the army first thing in the morning.	89
14427541834	Polysyndeton	The use of several conjunctions to join clauses in places that are not necessary. Used to add emphases or give a sense of abundance. Ex: I went out to the park to walk; I saw a dog, and a bird, and some kids dancing, and it was cold.	90
14427541835	Premise	Statement that upon which an argument is based. Ex: On the premise that people are good, you keep your doors unlocked.	91
14427541836	Pun	Play on words that is used to produce a humorous effect. It suggests two or more meanings. Ex: Did you hear about the guy whose left side was cut off? He's all right now.	92
14427542148	Qualifier	Word that qualifies an adjective or adverb, increasing or decreasing the quality by the word it modifies. Ex: He is somewhat faithful to his girlfriend.	93
14427542149	Rebuttal	Contradicts or argues an opposing idea, by using another reasoning. Ex: Argument between Beatty and Montag in Fahrenheit 451	94
14427542157	Red Herring	Irrelevant topic in an argument, used to divert the attention from the original issue. Ex: Mother: It's bedtime Jane Jane: Mom, how do ants feed their babies? Mother: Don't know dear, close your eyes now.	95
14427542726	Rhetoric	Using language to persuade or influence. Ex: Here comes the Helen of our school.-An allusion to "Helen of Troy," to emphasize the beauty of a girl.	96
14427542991	Rhetorical Modes	Describes the variety and the purposes of the major kinds of writing Ex: Narration, description, exposition, and argumentation.	97
14427543256	Rhetorical Modes (exposition)	Purpose is to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea. To teach or inform. Ex: Business letters	98
14427543869	Rhetorical Modes (description)	Purpose is to recreate a person, place, event, etc. So that the reader can picture what is being described. Ex: Poetry	99
14427544176	Rhetorical Modes (narration)	Purpose is to tell a story or narrate a series of events. Ex: Novel	100
14427544478	Rhetorical Modes (argumentation)	Also called persuasive writing. Purpose is to prove the validity of an idea by using reasoning to convince the reader. Ex: Letters of recommendation	101
14427545032	Rhetorical Modes (cause and effect)	Purpose is to link an event with its consequences. Ex: I felt super tired yesterday. It is probably because y partied last night until 5 am.	102
14427545033	Rhetorical Question	Question asked just for effect. No answer is expected. Ex: Are you stupid?	103
14427545052	Sarcasm	Device that is meant to mock to amuse or hurt someone. Ex: "I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." (Mark Twain)	104
14427545355	Satire	Technique used to expose or criticize an individual or a society by using humor. Ex: political cartoons	105
14427545356	Simile	Figure of speech that makes a comparison between two things. Using "like" or "as" Ex: Sings like an angel.	106
14427545357	Situational Irony	When something happens that is very different than what was expected. Ex: Chinese alchemists who were trying to create something that would create immortality instead created gunpowder.	107
14427545807	Syllogism	Logical reasoning that joins two or more premises to arrive at a conclusion. Ex: All carnivores eat meat. Some mammals are carnivores. Therefore, some mammals eat meat.	108
14427545808	Symbolism	Use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities, giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense. Ex: Thunderclouds are a symbol of danger.	109
14427546047	Synecdoche	Refers to the whole thing by the name of any one of its parts. Ex: The word "suit" refers to a businessman.	110
14427546048	Synesthesia	Technique that describes one sense by using the terms of another one. Ex: The silence was as thick as a forest.	111
14427546395	Syntax	The way the words are arranged in a sentence, the way they make sense in a specific language. Ex: She is a person. versus She am a person.	112
14427546644	Tactile Imagery	Descriptive language that appeals to the sense of touch. Ex: I opened my hand as I walked through the field of poppies, the soft breeze caressed my face.	113
14427546645	Telegraphic Sentence	Sentences containing five words or less. Ex: Meet at mall tomorrow noon	114
14427546978	Thermal Imagery	Imagery that appeals to the readers sense of temperature or light. Ex: The scorching sun set on the highway.	115
14427546979	Thesis Statement	The main point or "heart" of the essay. Ex: Libraries are essential resources for communities and should be funded more heavily by local municipalities.	116
14427546980	Tone	Attitude of a writer toward a subject or audience. Ex: Father: "We are going on a vacation." Son: "That's great!!!"	117
14427547328	Tricolon	Consists of three parallel clauses, which come in quick succession without any interruption. Ex: Veni, vidi, vici	118
14427547664	Understatement	Figure of speech employed by writers to intentionally make a situation seem less important than it really is. Ex: He is not too thin =description of an obese person	119
14427547665	Verbal Irony	When a speaker says something contradictory to what he intends to say. Ex: "She is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me." (Jane Austen)	120
14427547666	Vernacular	The use of ordinary, everyday, and plain language. Opposite to formal writing. Ex: house cat instead of Felis Domesticus	121
14427548058	Visual Imagery	Imagery that appeals to the sense of sight. Ex: As she stepped into the room she immediately spotted the red dots that looked like tiny dancers on the wall.	122
14427548059	Warrant	A statement in an argument that connects a reason to a claim. Ex: A man is wearing a suit and a top hat. (Statement) Usually, people who wear fancy clothes have a lot of money.	123
14427550805	Zeugma	Use of one word to refer to two or more different things in more than one way. Ex: He firmly held his tongue and her hand.	124