AP Language Flashcards
active voice def
the subject of the sentence performs the action.
Active voice example/Non example
Anthony drove while Toni searched for the house
The car was driven by Anthony
Active voice Impact
lively, interesting writing
passive voice defintion
when the subject of the sentence receives the action
passive voice example
the rat was eaten by the bird
passive voice impact
emphasize the object of an action, formal or objective tone.
allusion definition
an indirect reference to something with which the reader is supposed to be familiar
allusion example
literary text, plays, songs, historical events
allusion impact
add meaning, create irony or resonance, connect other works
anecdote
a brief recounting of a relevant episode.
anecdote example
sharing a funny story of your pet doing something random.
anecdote impact
developing a point or injecting humor
antecedent definition
the word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.
antecedent example
the DOG chased ITS tail
classicism definition
art or literature characterized by a realistic view of people and the world; sticks to traditional themes and structures.
classicism example
sculptures like Discobolus, literary works like Homer’s “Lliad” or shakespeares plays
comic relief defintion
when a humorous scene is inserted into a serious story, in order to lighten the mood somewhat
comic relief example
making a joke at a funeral to relief grief.
comic relief impact
breaks tension
diction definition
Word choice, particularly as an element of style. Different types of words have significant effects on meaning. An essay written in academic diction would be much less colorful, but perhaps more precise than street slang. You should be able to describe an author’s diction. You SHOULD NOT write in your thesis, “The author uses diction…”. This is essentially saying, “The author uses words to write.” (Duh.) Instead, describe the type of diction (for example, formal or informal, ornate or plain).
colloquial defintion
Ordinary or familiar type of conversation
colloquial examples
phrases like by the skin of your teeth, or words like gonna or wanna.
colloquial impact
communication more engaging, or writing more approachable
connotation defintion
the associations suggested by a word. Implied meaning rather than literal meaning. (For example, “policeman,” “cop,” and “The Man” all denote the same literal meaning of police officer, but each has a different connotation.)
denotation
the literal, explicit meaning of a word without its connotations
jargon definition
the diction used by a group which practices a similar profession or activity
jargon examples
lawyers speak using particular jargon, or different sports like soccer have their own as well.
jargon impact
communication only yall know, making others difficult to understand, or productivity making it difficult to give clear instructions
vernacular definition
- Language or dialect of a particular country. 2. Language or dialect of a regional clan or group. 3. Plain everyday speech
didactic definition
A term used to describe fiction, nonfiction or poetry that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.
didactic example
fables like the turtle vs hare, how slow and steady wins the race
adage definition
a folk saying with a lesson
adage example
a rolling stone gathers no moss.
adage impact
communicating a message to readers to be easily understood.
allegory definition
A story, fictional or non fictional, in which characters, things, and events represent qualities or concepts. The interaction of these characters, things, and events is meant to reveal an abstraction or a truth.
allegory example
the tortoise and the hare
allegory impact
used to convey deeper meanings and can have a powerful impact on readers
aphorism definition
A terse statement which expresses a general truth or moral principle. An aphorism can be a memorable summation of the author’s point. Ben Franklin wrote many of these in Poor Richard’s Almanac, such as “God helps them that help themselves,” and “A watched pot never boils.”
aphorism example
a penny saved is a penny earned, don’t judge book by its cover
aphorism impact
can be a memorable statement that expresses insight
ellipsis definition
The deliberate omission of a word or phrase from prose done for effect by the author. “The whole day, rain, torrents of rain.” The term ellipsis is related to ellipse, which is the three periods used to show omitted text in a quotation.
ellipsis example
hesitation, Hmm…
Omission, but then… he stopped.
ellipsis impact
creating suspense, indicating a pause, or showing hesitation
euphemism definition
A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts. Sometimes they are used for political correctness. Sometimes a euphemism is used to exaggerate correctness to add humor.
euphemism example
passed away; die
make love; sex
let go; fired
euphemism impact
politeness and soften the impact of harsh phrases. and avoiding awkward moments
figurative language
Literal language is writing that makes complete sense when you take it at face value. “Figurative Language” is the opposite: writing that is not meant to be taken literally.
analogy definition
An analogy is a comparison of one pair of variables to a parallel setwo things that are different, but have some similarites
analogy example
life is like a box of chocolates; she blind as a bat
analogy impact
help readers understand the point of the analogy, like life is like a box of chocolates makes you understand the randomness of life
hyperbole definition
exaggeration
hyperbole definition
my mother will kill me if i am late
hyperbole impact
create emphasis or effect, to create vivid imagery.
idiom definition
a common, often-used expression that doesn’t make sense if you take it literally
idiom example
its raining cats and dogs
idiom impact
help to add a sense of normality or familiarity
metaphor definition
Making an implied comparison, not using “like,” as,” or other such words.
metaphor example/non
My feet are popsicles
non- it was so cold that my feet were like popsicles
metaphor impact
help convey vivid imagery and have impact on the way people understand info
extended metaphor
continued later in written work. example- you continue to call your feet “popsicles” in later paragraphs
metonymy definition
Replacing an actual word or idea, with a related word or concept.
metonymy example
i could not understand his tounge
metonymy impact
help add a deeper meaning and complexity, as well as conciseness, which means expressing something clearly
synecdoche definition
A kind of metonymy when a whole is represented by naming one of its parts, or vice versa
synecdoche examples
wave of boots- to create a vivid image of soldiers charging
synecdoche impact
it helps to represent a figure of speech as a whole
simile definition
Using words such as “like” or “as” to make a direct comparison between two very different things.
simile example/non
my feet are so cold they feel like popsicles
non- my feet are popsicles
simile impact
help create a more descriptive image
synesthesia definition
a description involving a “crossing of the senses
synesthesia example
“A purplish scent filled the room.” “I was deafened by his brightly-colored clothing.”
synesthesia impact
deliver another lvl of description and challeneges readers to think out the box
personification definition
Giving human-like qualities to something that is not human
personification example
the tree danced in the wind
personification impact
enhanced imagery and emotional engagement.
