AP Vocab Flashcards
Anecdote
a short, simple narrative of an incident, often used for humorous effect or to make a point
Argumentation
writing that attempts to prove the validity of a point of view or an idea by presenting “reasoned” arguments; persuasive writing is a form of argumentation
Allegory
an extended narrative of an incident in prose or verse where characters, events, and settings represent abstract qualities and where the writer has a second meaning; may be moral, political, or social
Annotation
explanatory notes added to a text to explain, cite your sources, or give bibliographic data
Antithesis
the presentation of two contrasting images. The ideas are balanced by word, phrase, clause, or paragraphs. “To be or not to be” “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.
Rhetoric
the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.
Colloquialism
a word or phrase (including slang) used in everyday conversation and informal writing but that is often inappropriate in formal writing. (ain’t, can’t, y’all)
Connotation
words suggesting implied meaning because of its association in a reader’s mind
Consonance
Repetition of identical consonant sounds within two or more words in close proximity: boat/beat/best/brag, or even compound words, fulfill, ping-pong.
Caricature
Descriptive writing that greatly exaggerated a specific feature of a person’s appearance or a facet of personality.
Coherence
The “quality” of a piece or writing in which all the parts contribute to the development of the central idea/theme or organizing principle.
Aphorism
A short, often witty, statement of a principle or truth about life. Benjamin Franklin was somewhat famous for these in Poor Richard’s Almanac. “The early bird catches the worm.”
Apostrophe
Usually in poetry, but sometimes in prose: the device of calling out to an imaginary, dead, or absent person or to a place, thing, or personified abstraction.
Cacophony
Aka dissonance…. hard, awkward, or dissonant sounds used deliberately in poetry or prose; the opposite of euphony.
Denotation
The literal or dictionary meaning of a word.
Enumeration
A rhetorical device used for listing the details or process of mentioning words or phrases step by step. It is a type of amplification or division in which a subject is further distributed into parts. Writers use this to clarify and detail understanding.
Analogy
A comparison in which an idea or a thing is compared to another thing that is quite different from it. It aims at explaining that idea or thing by comparing it to something that is familiar. This is expressed through similes and metaphors. “The nucleus is the sun and electrons are the planets.”
Parallelism
The use of components in a sentence that are grammatically the same; or similar in their construction, sound, meaning, or meter. “The escaped prisoner was wanted dead or alive.” “Whether in class, at work, or at home, Shasta was always busy.
Allusion
A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literacy, or political significance. It does not describe in detail the person or thing. It is just a passing comment, and the writer expects the reader to know how to spot the allusion and grasp its importance in a text.
Metonymy
A figure of speech that replaces the name of a thing with the name of something else that is closely associated. We can come across examples of metonymy from literature and everyday life. Do not confuse this with a metaphor as a metonymy is not creating a comparison.
Anaphora
In writing or speech, the deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect. Possibly the oldest literary device with roots in Biblical Psalms, used to emphasize certain words or phrases.
Epistrophe
Derived form a Greek word that means turning upon, which indicates the same word returns at the end of each sentence. Epistrophe is a stylistic device that can be defined as the repetition of phrases or words at the end of the clauses or sentences. It’s also called epiphora. Examples are found in literary pieces, persuasive writing, and speeches.
Asyndeton
Derived from a Greek word asyndeton which mean unconnected. It is a stylistic device used in literature and poetry to intentionally eliminate conjunctions between the phrases and in the sentence, yet maintain the grammatical accuracy. This literary tool helps in reducing the indirect meaning of the phrase and presents it in a concise form. Asyndeton helps in speeding up the rhythm of words.
Polysyndeton
Derived from a Greek word meaning “bound together”. It makes use of coordinating conjunction like (and, or, but, nor) (mostly and and or) which are used to join successive words, phrases, clauses in a way that these conjunctions are even used where they might have been omitted.
Synecdoche
A literary device in which a part of something represents the whole or it may use a while to represent a part. Distinguishing between this and metonymy often take some thoughtful consideration. The phrase “grey beard” refers to an old man. “Coolers of ten refers to coins.”
Tone
An attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience. It is something important for the reader to “sense” to determine an argument. Tone is generally conveyed through the choice of words or the viewpoint of a writer on a particular subject.
Process Analysis
A step-by-step breakdown of the phrases of a process, used to convey the details of each phrase of thinking, an operation, etc. It is often used to improve understanding and to break down an argument to make it more comprehensible.
Syntax
The set of rules in a language. It dictates how words from different parts of speech are put together in order to convey a complete thought. Syntax refers to HOW we choose to arrange our words. The choice of those words is fiction. Thus, the two are closely related in creating an argument.
Provocative Diction
“Diction” is our choice of words. Thus, “provocative diction” is the purposeful choice of words serving or tending to provoke excite, or stimulate a provocative question that will frame a rhetorical argument.
Classification
The action or process of classifying someone according to shared qualities or characteristics. This often is a strategy of argumentation or an argumentative response in an effort to provide the reader with structure to YOUR argument. It would be considered a support to both LOGOS and ETHOS in presenting an argument.
Understatement
Decrease the intensity; opposite of hyperbole.
Colorful Diction
Diction is tour conscious choice of words as a writer. Colorful diction is a very purposeful word choice that will serve to accentuate meaning and tone.
Counter Argument
An argument or set of reasons to oppose an idea or theory developed in another argument. When writing in the argumentative mode, it is MANDATORY that the writer acknowledge the “other” side of their argument.
Claim
When somebody gives an argument to support his/her position. Different reasons are usually presented to prove why a certain point should be accepted as logical.
Evidence
Appears in different literary works as a form of paraphrase and quotations. It persuaded the readers and uses powerful arguments. In rhetoric, when a person makes a claim or presents an argument, he needs to present evidence for support in order to establish authenticity.
Warrant
The glue that holds an argument together. It links the evidence to the claim. “This evidence supports the claim because…” and is a statement of support of why your evidence supports your claim.
Fallacy
An erroneous argument dependent upon an unsound or illogical contention.
Logical Fallacy
In argumentation, a formal fallacy/seductive fallacy is a pattern of reasoning/thinking rendered invalid by a flaw in its logical structure that can neatly be expressed in a standard logic system, propositional logic. An argument that is formally fallacious is always considered wrong.
Prophecy
Has all the elements of a prediction except the element of time.
Prediction
Forecast made by those who calculate the parameters is the subject after evaluating the odds.
Adage
A short, pointed and memorable saying based on facts and is considered a veritable truth by the majority of people. An adage expresses a general truth or fact about life. As it becomes popular, it is accepted as a universal truth. “God helps those who help themselves.”
Pedantic
Someone who is concerned with precision, formalism, accuracy, minute details in order to make an arrogant show of learning. He could be a writer, character, feelings, tone, or words. “A pendant often corrects unimportant small details and may condescend others.
Flippant
Lacking seriousness, cute, playful, rude
Evocative
Use of language that suggests other meanings. It connects with emotions and feelings not associated with the actual meaning.
Syntactical Inversion
Aka anastrophe, in literary style and rhetoric, it is the normal order or the words and phrases in a sentence. The placing of an adjective or verb after the noun it modifies. “The form Devine” “Came the dawn”
Apposition
Grammatical construction in which two elements, normally noun phrases, are placed side by side, with one element serving to identify the other in a different way.
Didactic
Literary texts overloaded with informative or realistic matter and are marked by the omission or graceful and pleasing details. Becomes a derogatory term referring to the form of literature that is dull. Some can be didactic and entertaining.
Conceit
Figure of speech in which two vastly different objects are likened together with the help of similes or metaphors. It can have a surprising or shocking effect on the readers because they are novel comparison unlike the conventional comparisons made in similes and metaphors. A comparison turns into a conceit when the writer makes us admit a similarity between two things.
Periodic Sentence
Has the main clause or predicate at the end. It is used for emphasis and can be persuasive by putting reasons at the beginning before the final point is made. It can create suspense or interest. “With low taxes, beautiful views and a mild climate, the city is a great place to live.”
Paradox
A statement that appears to be self-contractors or silly but may include a latent truth. It is also used to illustrate an opinion or statement contrary to accepted ideas. “I must be cruel to be kind.”
Irony
Figure of speech in which words are used that have intended meanings different from the actual meaning. It is a difference between the appearance and reality. “Go ask his name: 8; he be married. My grave is like to be my wedding bed.”
Parenthesis
A stylistic device that means a place or alongside. A qualifying or explanatory sentences, clause, or word.
Sardonic
Grimly mocking, sarcastic, satirical, mocking in a humorous manner. This is one of those TONE words that describe writing that the fits the meaning.
Satire
A technique used by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or society by using humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule. It intends to improve humanity by criticizing its follies and foibles.
Polemical
Relating to or involving strongly critical, controversial, or disputatious writing or speech. A polemical essay could be critical, bitter, sardonic, sarcastic, etc.
Ambiguity
A word, phrase, or statement which contains more that one meaning. Skilled writers use ambiguity with purpose and intent.
Archetype
AKA as universal symbol, may be a character, theme, symbol, or even a setting. Archetypes have a common and recurring representation in a particular human culture or race, shape the structure and function of a literary work.
Function of Archetype
The use of archetypical characters and situations gives a literary work a universal acceptance, as readers identify characters and situations in their social and cultural context.
Tragic Flaw
A literary device defined as a trait in a character leading to its downfall and character is often hero.
Assertion
When someone makes a statement investing his strong belief in it, and if it is true though it may not be, he is making an assertion. It is a stylistic approach or technique involving a strong declaration, a forceful or confident, and positive statement regarding a belief or a fact.
Autobiography
One type of biography that tells a story of its author, meaning it is a written record of an author’s life. An autobiography comes through the person’s own pen, in his own words.
Memoir
A record of memories and particular events that have taken place in an author’s life, an account that doesn’t tell the full record or a life.
