AP Vocabulary 75-97 Flashcards
Situational Irony
Situational Irony is a literary device that you can easily identify in literary works. Simply, it occurs when incongruity appears between expectations of something to happen, and what actually happens instead. Thus, entirely different happens from what audience may be expecting or the final outcome is opposite to what the audience is expecting.
Static Character
A static character is one that does not undergo inner changes or undergoes a little change. It is a character that does not develop or grow such as Sherlock Holmes and James Bond.
Vernacular
Vernacular is a literary genre that uses daily used language in writing and speaking. It is different from written works, as they normally follow the formal variety of language. The word, “ vernacular” refers to writing or speaking of the public. We find the origin of vernacular literature during middle ages in different countries of Europe.
Vernacular Vs. Dialect
Vernacular is the use of ordinary, everyday and plain language in speaking or writing, such as corn is a common name of a plant, and its scientific name is Maize or Zea Mays, whereas dialect is related to a particular region, geographical area, a particular social class, or an occupational group. Also, it uses a distinguished pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar, such as people in Shanghai has different pronunciation or dialect than in Yunnan.
Understatement
A understatement is a figure of speech employed by writers or speakers to intentionally make a situation seem less important than it really is. An understatement has something of an ironic effect.
Eulogy
Known as homily, the term eulogy originates from a Greek word “eulogia”, which means to praise somebody or something. A eulogy is a literary device that is a laudatory expression in a speech, or a written tribute to a person deceased recently.
Dialect
The language used by the people of a specific area, class, district or any other group of people. The term dialect involves the spelling, sounds, grammar, and pronunciation used by a particular group of people and it distinguishes them from other people around them.
Hubris
Hubris is extreme pride and arrogance shown by a character that ultimately brings about his downfall. In AP language hubris can be found in the author’s attitude toward the reader. In literature, portrayal of hubristic characters serves to achieve a moralistic ending.
Anti-Hero
Anti-Hero is a literary device used by writers for a prominent character in a play or book that has characteristics opposite to that of a conventional hero. The protagonist is generally admired for his bravery, strength, charm, ingenuity etc. while an anti-hero is typically clumsy, unsolicited, and unskilled and has both good and bad qualities. Post-Modern period: there are thousands of shows, books and movies that portray such characters, who are widely admired by audiences.
Band Wagon
Bandwagon is a persuasive technique and a type of propaganda through which a writer persuades his readers, so that majority could agree with the argument of the writer, suggesting that since majority agrees, the readers should too, such as “Everyone is voting for David, so definitely he is the best presidential candidate.” The phrase bandwagon means, “ jump on the bandwagon,” or to follow what others are conforming or doing. This type of reasoning is also considered a type of fallacy.
Bandwagon-Function
The purpose of this technique is to make the audience think and act in a way that majority follows. This tendency of following the beliefs and actions occurs when audience sees others are also conforming. We see its usage in literature, politics, and advertisement, etc. Bandwagon is in fact a good approach for persuasive writing that successfully works on human minds and psychology.
Propaganda
We can easily find the use of propaganda technique in mass media advertising, politics and literature. It is a very popular technique in academic commentary and is taken as an interchangeable form of communication. The primary function of propaganda is to persuade the readers and mold their perceptions about a particular cause.
Propaganda-Transfer
Appeals to a persons imagination of something we like or trust. Trump: “Make America Great Again.” “Our school will rise to the top again.”
Propaganda-Glittering Generalities
(Virtue words or Glittering generality) These words are used to dupe us into accepting and approving of things without examining the evidence carefully. Examples: “Natural,” “Democratic,” “Organic,” “Scientific,” “ecological,” “sustainable.”
Propaganda-Testimonial
This represents another type of propaganda that fits into a particular category of its own. When someone respected celebrity (or alternatively someone generally hated) claims that an idea or product is good (or bad). This technique is used to convince us without examining the facts more carefully.
