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AP Language & Composition > Glossary #1 > Flashcards

Glossary #1 Flashcards

1
Q

Definition - The subject of the sentence performs the action. This is a more direct and preferred style of writing in most cases.

A

Active Voice

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2
Q

Example - “Anthony drove while Toni searched for the house.”

A

Active Voice

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3
Q

Non-example - “The car was driven by Anthony”

A

Active Voice

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4
Q

Impact - This device is used to bring life into writing, as opposed to the overuse of its opposite, which can result in lifeless writing.

A

Active Voice

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5
Q

Definition - 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.

A

Allusion

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6
Q

Example - “Stephen Nedoroscik is the Clark Kent of the men’s gymnastic team.”

A

Allusion

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7
Q

Impact - This device familiarizes and gives an idea of an unknown or uncertain concept by relating it to a well-known one.

A

Allusion

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8
Q

Definition - A brief recounting of a relevant episode. Are often inserted into fictional or non-fictional texts as a way of developing a point or injecting humor.

A

Anecdote

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9
Q

Example - “Yesterday, I was walking through the forest by my house and saw a baby bear.”

A

Anecdote

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10
Q

Impact - Developing a point or injecting humor.

A

Anecdote

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11
Q

Definition - The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.

A

Antecedent

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12
Q

Example - “If I could command the wealth of all the world by lifting my finger, I would not pay such a price for it. (the device would be “the wealth of all the world”

A

Antecedent

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13
Q

Definition - Art or literature characterized by a realistic view of people and the world; sticks to traditional themes and structures.

A

Classicism

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14
Q

Example - “Les Miserables” is an example of a novel characterized under classicism.

A

Classicism

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15
Q

Definition - When a humorous scene is inserted into a serious story, in order to lighten the mood somewhat.

A

Comic Relief

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16
Q

Example - The “gatekeeper scene” in Macbeth.

A

Comic Relief

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17
Q

Impact - It is commonly inserted in a serious story to lighten the mood.

A

Comic Relief

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18
Q

Definition - Word choice, particularly as an element of style.

A

Diction

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19
Q

Definition - Ordinary or familiar type of conversation.

A

Colloquial

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20
Q

Example - “ain’t”

A

Colloquial

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21
Q

Impact - This device makes writing more informal and approachable.

A

Colloquial

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22
Q

Definition - Rather than the dictionary definition (denotation), the associations suggested by a word. Implied meaning rather than literal meaning.

A

Connotation

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23
Q

Definition - The literal, explicit meaning of a word, without its connotations.

A

Denotation

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24
Q

Definition - The diction used by a group which practices a similar profession or activity.

A

Jargon

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25
Q

Example - Lawyer: “Hearsay”

A

Jargon

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26
Q

Impact - This device can create a sense of precision in language, especially in a specific field or group.

A

Jargon

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27
Q

Definition - 1. Language or dialect of a particular country. 2. Language or dialect of a regional clan or group. 3. Plain everyday speech

A

Vernacular

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28
Q

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.

A

Didactic

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29
Q

Example - Passages within the Bible that teach moral lessons

A

Didactic

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30
Q

Definition - A folk saying with a lesson.

A

Adage

31
Q

Example - “A rolling stone gathers no moss.”

A

Adage

32
Q

Impact - This device leaves the reader with an important message.

A

Adage

33
Q

Definition - A story, fictional or non fictional, in which characters, things, and events represent qualities or concepts.

A

Allegory

34
Q

Example - Animal Farm, by George Orwell

A

Allegory

35
Q

Impact - This device is meant to reveal an abstraction or truth.

A

Allegory

36
Q

Definition - A terse statement which expresses a general truth or moral principle.

A

Aphorism

37
Q

Example - “God helps them that help themselves,” (Poor Richard’s Almanac)

A

Aphorism

38
Q

Impact - This device expresses a lesson or principle in a concise manner.

A

Aphorism

39
Q

Definition - The deliberate omission of a word or phrase from prose done for effect by the author.

A

Ellipsis

40
Q

Example - “The whole day, rain, torrents of rain.”

A

Ellipsis

41
Q

Impact - This device can help express thought and add variety to the structure of a text through omission and simplicity.

A

Ellipsis

42
Q

Definition - A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts. Sometimes they are used for political correctness.

A

Euphemism

43
Q

Example - “Vertically challenged” in place of “short.”

A

Euphemism

44
Q

Impact - This device can also be used to exaggerate correctness, add humor, or to express political correctness.

A

Euphemism

45
Q

Definition - The opposite of “Literal Language.” Writing that is not meant to be taken literally.

A

Figurative Language

46
Q

Definition - A comparison of one pair of variables to a parallel set of variables.

A

Analogy

47
Q

Example - “America is to the world as the hippo is to the jungle.”

A

Analogy

48
Q

Impact - This device increases the understanding of the relationship between two words through comparison.

A

Analogy

49
Q

Definition - Exaggeration.

A

Hyperbole

50
Q

Example - “My mother will kill me if I am late.”

A

Hyperbole

51
Q

Impact - Can be used to emphasize and heighten feeling, as well as create humor.

A

Hyperbole

52
Q

Definition - A common, often used expression that doesn’t make sense if you take it literally.

A

Idiom

53
Q

Example - “I got chewed out by my coach.”

A

Idiom

54
Q

Impact - This device allows for an expressive way of describing ideas, and can add humor and wit to writing.

A

Idiom

55
Q

Definition - Making an implied comparison, not using “like,” as,” or other such words.

A

Metaphor

56
Q

Example - “My feet are popsicles.”

A

Metaphor

57
Q

Impact - Enhances sensory aspects of writing and the understanding of a concept through indirect comparison.

A

Metaphor

58
Q

Non-example - “My feet are like popsicles.”

A

Metaphor

59
Q

Definition - Replacing an actual word or idea, with a related word or concept.

A

Metonymy

60
Q

Example -“Relations between London and Washington have been strained,”

A

Metonymy

61
Q

Impact - This device allows for creativity when stating a subject through substitution. This can add to the imagery and complexity of the phrase.

A

Metonymy

62
Q

Definition - A kind of metonymy when a whole is represented by naming one of its parts, or vice versa.

A

Synecdoche

63
Q

Example - “Check out my new wheels.”

A

Synecdoche

64
Q

Impact - This device can add a casual tone to writing, especially in dialogue.

A

Synecdoche

65
Q

Definition - Using words such as “like” or “as” to make a direct comparison between two very different things.

A

Simile

66
Q

Example - “My feet are so cold they feel like popsicles.”

A

Simile

67
Q

Non-example - “My feet are popsicles.”

A

Simile

68
Q

Impact - Enhances sensory aspects of writing and the understanding of a concept through direct comparison.

A

Simile

69
Q

Definition - Description involving a “crossing of the senses.”

A

Synesthesia

70
Q

Example - “A purplish scent filled the room.”

A

Synesthesia

71
Q

Impact - This device enhances the description of a sensation, feeling, or action, and adds imagery.

A

Synesthesia

72
Q

Definition - Giving human-like qualities to something that is not human.

A

Personification

73
Q

Example - “The tired old truck groaned as it inched up the hill.”

A

Personification

74
Q

Impact - This device can enhance the description of an object and engage readers with it.

A

Personification

AP Language & Composition (3 decks)

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