English final Flashcards
abstract
existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence
ad hominem
a fallacy in which an argument directed against a person rather than the position they are maintaining
ad populum
a fallacy in which an argument is that something is true because many people believe it, instead of providing evidence (also known as the “bandwagon” fallacy)
alleviate
to make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe
allure
the quality of being powerfully and mysteriously attractive or fascinating
allusion
this is a reference to some other work (like comparing someone to Hercules or Homer Simpson)
alter
change or cause to change in character or composition, typically in a comparatively small but significant way
ambiguity
an idea or situation that can be understood in multiple ways or is open to more than one interpretation
anaphora
the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.
anecdote
a very short story that is significant to the topic at hand; usually adding personal knowledge or experience to the topic
anomaly
something that deviates from the standard or normal; singular
archetype
an idea, symbol, pattern, or character type, in a story to symbolize something universal in the human experience
a strong dislike or desire to avoid
a strong dislike or desire to avoid
benign
gentle and kindly
catharsis
the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions
coincide
occur at or during the same time
contrive
create or bring about (an object or a situation) by deliberate use of skill and artifice
desolation
a state of complete emptiness or destruction; anguished misery or loneliness
diction
word choice and phrasing in any written or spoken text
discerning
having or showing good judgement; perceiving accurately
dissonance
a tension or clash between two badly matched elements
divulge
make known (private or sensitive information)
ethical
having to do with morals (being truthful, fair, honest)
exposition
the first paragraph or paragraphs in which the characters, setting (time and place), and basic information is introduced
fallacy
a mistaken belief, especially one based on unsound argument
foreboding
fearful apprehension; a feeling that something bad will happen
inclination
a person’s natural tendency to act or feel in a particular way; a disposition or propensity
incoherent
illogical, unclear, or inconsistent
incongruous
not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something
inference
the process of drawing a conclusion from supporting evidence. It’s when you go beyond the evidence and reach some further conclusion
inherent
existing as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute
innate
said of a characteristic one has naturally or from birth
juxtaposition
the placement of two or more things side by side, often to bring out their differences
melancholy
a feeling of thoughtful sadness, typically with no obvious cause
motif
a symbolic image or idea occurring frequently in a story (sounds, actions, ideas, words)
obscure
not discovered or known about; concealed
peruse
to read something in a careful or thoughtful way
precursor
a person or thing that came before
recessed
built or set into a small space in a wall, further back from the rest
reclusive
avoiding the company of other people; solitary
resolute
admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering
sentient
able to perceive and feel things
solace
comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness
sinister
evil; giving the impression that something harmful or evil will happen
slippery slope
a fallacy in which an argument is used that an idea or course of action which will lead to something unacceptable, wrong, or disastrous without direct evidence that this course of events will happen.
stimulus
something that brings forth a specific reaction
succumb
to fail to resist pressure, temptation, or some other negative force.
sullen
bad-tempered and sulky; gloomy
transformation
a change or alteration, especially a radical one
