Flashcards
English 11 AP Language and Composition- Glossary of Words
Cards in this deck (65)
- 1AlliterationRepetition of the same letter or sound within nearby words. Most often repeated initial consonants.
- 2AllusionAn implied or indirect reference to something (his pride was his Achilles' Heel).
- 3AmbiguityA word or expression that can be understood in two or more possible ways. (Each of us saw a duck. Her ducking or her duck)
- 4AnalogyA comparison of two things based on there being a light in someway.
- 5AnaphoraRepetition of the same ward a group of wolves at the beginning of successive clauses, sentences, or lines. (From a tell of two cities- it was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it lets the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it with the epic uppity, it with the epic of incredulity, it lists the season opener light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring hope, it was the winter of despair.)
- 6AnecdoteAre usually shut narrative of it interesting, amusing, or biographical incident.
- 7AntithesisJuxtaposition of contrasting words or ideas.
- 8AphorismA concise statement of principle. A terse formulation of truth or sentiment. (Example- Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.)
- 9ApostropheThe addressing of a usually absent person who are usually personified thing rhetorically.
- 10AssonanceRepetition of similar vowel sounds, preceded and followed by different consonants, in the stressed syllables of adjacent words.
- 11AsyndetonThe omission of conjunctions between clauses, often resulting in a hurried rhythm or vehement effect (veni, vidi, vici).
- 12Begging the questionThe conclusion of a contention is excepted in the statement of the inquiry itself.
- 13CacophonyHarsh or discordant sounds. Harshness in the sound of words of phases.
- 14ClichéAn expression that has been oval used to the extent that it loses its original meaning or novelty.
- 15Complex sentenceA sentence containing a subordinate clause open clauses.
- 16Compound sentenceA sentence with more than one subject predicate.
- 17ConnotationA meaning that is implied by a world apart from that thing which it describes explicitly.
- 18DeductionThe deriving of a conclusion by reasoning.
- 19DenotationA literal dictionary meaning of a word in contrast of an implied or associated idea.
- 20DevicesA particular word pattern, figure of speech, combination of word sounds, etc., used in a literary work to evoke a desired effect or arouse a desired reaction in the reader.
- 21DictionChoice of words especially with the regard to correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.
- 22ArchaicHaving the characteristics of the language of the past and surviving chiefly in specialized uses.
- 23JargenA use of specific phases and words by writers in a particular situation, profession or trade.
- 24ProfanityThe use of profane language.
- 25SlangWords that are not a part of standard vocabulary or language and are used informally. (Such as Bob's your uncle.)
- 26Trite expressionSometimes called clichés, are expressions which have grown stale through too frequent use.
- 27VulgarityThe state or quality of being obscene.
- 28DidacticDesigned or intended to teach. Intended to convey instruction and information as well as pleasure and entertainment.
- 29EllipsisOmission of a word or short phrase easily understood in context. (John gives Mary and Mary, John.)
- 30EpithetA descriptive literary device that describes a place, a thing or person in such a way that it helps in making the characteristics of a person, thing or a place more prominent.
- 31EquivocationA change in meaning. Ambiguous language being used with the intent to deceive or avoid commitment to what one says.
- 32EulogyPronouncing a blessing for the goodness in a person.
- 33EuphemismRefers to a polite, indirect expression which replace words and phrases considered impolite or which suggest something unpleasant.
- 34HyperboleRhetorical exaggeration. Often accomplished via comparisons, similes, and metaphors. Exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis.
- 35Ignoring the questionSimply avoiding answering questions which no one has a good response for.
- 36ImageryTo use figurative language to represent objects, actions and ideas in such a way that it appeals to you from a physical sense.
- 37IronySpeaking in such a way as to imply the contrary of what one says, often for the purpose of derision , mockery, or jest.
- 38Dramatic ironyThe characters are oblivious of the situation but the audience is not.
- 39Verbal ironySomething that someone does not mean.
- 40Situational ironyBoth the characters and the audience are fully unaware of the implications of the real situation.
- 41JuxtapositionA 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.
- 42MetaphorA comparison made by referring to one thing as another.
- 43MetonymyReferences to something or someone by naming one of its attributes. (The pen is mightier than the sword)
- 44OxymoronPlacing two ordinarily opposing terms adjacent to one another. (The sounds of silence or make haste slowly.)
- 45ParadoxA statement that is self contradictory On the surface, yet seems to evoke a truth nonetheless. (Your enemy's friend is your enemy or the enemy of your enemy is your friend.)
- 46ParallelismSimilarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses. (Like father, like son. Easy come, easy go.)
- 47ParodyAn imitation of a particular writer, artist, or genre, exaggerating it deliberately to produce a comic effect.
- 48PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish.
- 49Periodic sentenceA sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end.
- 50PersonificationA figure of speech in which human characteristics are attributed to an abstract quality, animal, or inanimate object.
- 51PolysendetonEmploying many conjunctions between clauses, often slowing the tempo or rhythm.
- 52RepititionThe duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language.
- 53Rhetorical modesThis flexible term describes the variety, the conventions, and the purpose of major kinds of writing.
- 54NarrationTells a story or recounts an event.
- 55DescriptionRe-creates, invents, or presents a person, place, event, or action.
- 56DefinitionA statement with the meaning of a word.
- 57Compare and contrastShows how the subjects are alike/different.
- 58AnalysisExamines the interactions between a text, an author, and an audience.
- 59Rhetorical questionAny question asked for a purpose other than to obtain the information the question asks for.
- 60SarcasmUse of mockery, verbal taunts, or bitter irony.
- 61SatireA work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule.
- 62SimileAn explicit comparison, often employing "like" or "as".
- 63SyllogismStarts an argument with a reference to something general and from this it draws conclusion about something more specific.
- 64SynecdocheA whole is represented by naming one of its parts or vice versa.
- 65UnderstatementThe ironic minimalizing of fact, presents something as less significant than it is.
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- Description
- These are flash cards of words and their definitions used in AP Lang or that you might need in other language art classes.
- Created by
- sullyofthesouth · Oct 2014
- Updated
- Nov 22, 2016
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