AP Language Vocabulary Set #1 Flashcards
Active Voice (Definition)
The subject of the sentence performs the action.
Active Voice (Example)
They rode the Ferris Wheel
Active Voice (Impact)
It emphasizes who is or what is controlling the action in the sentence.
Active Voice (Non-example; Passive Voice)
The pineapple is being sliced by the Maksutov twins
Allusion
An indirect reference to something (usually a literary text, although it can be other things, commonly known, such as plays, songs, historical events) with which the reader is supposed to be familiar
Allusion (Example)
Choice Specs Clawitzer is my Poseidon
Allusion (Impact)
Enchants a text by concentrating the value towards something else externally.
Anecdote
A brief recounting of a relevant episode.
Anecdote (Example)
I drank salt water for 5 years straight, because the voices in my head convinced me to.
Anecdote (Impact)
To sprinkle in a glimpse of humor-supplimented text.
Antecedent
The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun
Antecedent (Example)
Jeremy is his own person. (“Jeremy”)
Antecedent (Impact)
N.A.
Classicism
Art or literature characterized by a realistic view of people and the world; sticks to traditional themes and structures
Classicism (Example)
Native American artistic pieces, maybe even paintings of the Colosseum.
Classicism (Impact)
N.A.
Ellipsis
The deliberate omission of a word or phrase from prose done for effect by the author.
Ellipsis (Example)
“I saw it all… stretched beyond the horizons…”
Ellipsis (Impact)
For the reader to “glue in/cement” the gaps or holes per narration.
Comic relief
When a humorous scene is inserted into a serious story, in order to lighten the mood somewhat.
Comic Relief (Example)
The dance-off between Peter Quinn and Ronan in Guardians of the Galaxy
Comic Relief (Impact)
To soften/decompose the mood to a prescribed degree of the sort.
Diction
Word choice, particularly as an element of style.
Diction (Example)
“What’s good Jeremy, remeber the slinky rush we pulled off at Bernard’s party? That was rad bro! [:/]” (informal)
Diction (Impact)
The type of diction an author uses has an overarching effect on many elements of the text, generally speaking.
Connotation
Rather than the dictionary definition, the associations suggested by a word. Implied meaning rather than literal meaning.
Connotation (Example)
Policeman, starman, etc.
Connotation (Impact)
N.A.
Denotation
The literal, explicit meaning of a word without its connotations
Denotation (Example)
office, space station, coffin
Denotation (Impact)
N.A.
Jargon
The diction used be a group which practices a similar profession or activity.
Jargon (Example)
Technical foul, LOVE (tennis term), 3-pointer, Semi-Stall Team (Pokémon archetype)
Jargon (Impact)
To categorize a group of people with similar styles of communicating
Colloquial
Ordinary or familiar type of conversation.
Colloquial (Example)
“finna, playa, sigma, off the jump”
Colloquial (Impact)
To highlight slang-like phrases as they might be in specific scenarios depending on the context.
Vernacular
- Language or dialect of a particular country. 2. Language or dialect of a reginal clan/group. 3. Plain everyday speech.
Vernacular (Example)
“mate” (Australlian/British common phrase)
Vernacular (Impact)
N.A.
Didactic
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)
The Boy Who Cried Wolf.
Didactic (Impact)
Plants an important “moral” by the end of the story.
Adage
A folk saying with a lesson
Adage (Example)
“The early bird gets the worm”
Adage (Impact)
Accentuates an overarching lesson in a sentence/phrase. Teaches the reader something new, that relates to the story they’re reading/
Allegory
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)
Medusa’s stone glare, or maybe the touch of gold
Allegory (Impact)
Enables the writer/author to prescribe more than one story at a given timeframe.
Euphemism
A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts.
Euphemism (Example)
“dang/darn” “socially-puzzled”
Euphemism (Impact)
To soften the language said, in an attempt to lower the chance of agitation from the receiving end.
Figurative Language
Writing that is not meant to be taken literally
Figurative Language (Example)
“It took centuries for me to see results”
Figurative Language (Impact)
Adds another layer, or element to writing that isn’t just obvious or expected.
Analogy
An analogy is a comparison of one pair of variables to a parallel set of variables.
Analogy (Example)
A raindrop is viewed greatly by an atom, like the earth would be viewed by humans, if atoms had a mind.
Analogy (Impact)
Compares two things that might not be super similar in a raw setting, to better connect two things based off of unique characteristics.
Hyperbole
An exaggeration
Hyperbole (Example)
My parents will kill me if I fail my exams.
Hyperbole (Impact)
Says something beyond what the actual magnitude of it is, to invoke a sense of potence.
Idiom
A common, often used expression that doesn’t make sense if you take it literally.
Idiom (Example)
“A blessing in disguise”
Idiom (Impact)
Assists readers in sensing twisted messages, out of raw context.
Aphorism
A terse statement which expresses a general truth or a moral principle.
Aphorism (Example)
“Actions speak louder than words”
Aphorism (Impact)
To accentuate observations/philosophies
Metaphor
Making an implied comparison, not using “like”,”as”, or other such words.
Metaphor (Example)
My hands are molten iron
Metaphor (Non-Example)
Dinosaurs are like sharks in many ways
Metaphor (Impact)
To establish a sense of comparing one aspect to another, when it comes to distinguishing a concept/feeling of some sort.
Personification
Giving human-like qualities to something that is not human.
Personification (Example)
The pine needles were dancing in a tornado-like sequence to assist the anniversary’s motion.
Personification (Impact)
To give a sense of “life” to objects that do not have that in the regular setting. To make it seem more impactful to the text at hand.
Metonymy
Replacing an actual word or idea, with a related word or concept.
Metonymy (Example)
What’s your favorite “dish”?
Metonymy (Impact)
Crafting vivid settings/images within a corresponding context.
Synecdoche
A kind of metonymy when a whole is represented by naming one of its parts, or vice versa.
Synecdoche (Example)
“Check out my new wheels”
Synecdoche (Impact)
incorporates a more concentrated meaning pertaining towards the bigger picture of a sentence/phrase.
Simile
Using words such as “like” or “as” to make a direct comparison between two very different things.
Simile (Example)
The smell of vaporized soda is like toxic fumes are being transferred into the air
Simile (Non-Example)
A pickaxes I wield are the secret to success.
Synesthesia
A description involving a “crossing of the senses.”
Synesthesia (Example)
“A dancing house”
Synesthesia (Impact)
For readers to understand more of what’s going through the authors mind per what they’re saying.
