AP Language Flashcards
(75 cards)
active voice def
the subject of the sentence performs the action.
Active voice example/Non example
Anthony drove while Toni searched for the house
The car was driven by Anthony
Active voice Impact
lively, interesting writing
passive voice defintion
when the subject of the sentence receives the action
passive voice example
the rat was eaten by the bird
passive voice impact
emphasize the object of an action, formal or objective tone.
allusion definition
an indirect reference to something with which the reader is supposed to be familiar
allusion example
literary text, plays, songs, historical events
allusion impact
add meaning, create irony or resonance, connect other works
anecdote
a brief recounting of a relevant episode.
anecdote example
sharing a funny story of your pet doing something random.
anecdote impact
developing a point or injecting humor
antecedent definition
the word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.
antecedent example
the DOG chased ITS tail
classicism definition
art or literature characterized by a realistic view of people and the world; sticks to traditional themes and structures.
classicism example
sculptures like Discobolus, literary works like Homer’s “Lliad” or shakespeares plays
comic relief defintion
when a humorous scene is inserted into a serious story, in order to lighten the mood somewhat
comic relief example
making a joke at a funeral to relief grief.
comic relief impact
breaks tension
diction definition
Word choice, particularly as an element of style. Different types of words have significant effects on meaning. An essay written in academic diction would be much less colorful, but perhaps more precise than street slang. You should be able to describe an author’s diction. You SHOULD NOT write in your thesis, “The author uses diction…”. This is essentially saying, “The author uses words to write.” (Duh.) Instead, describe the type of diction (for example, formal or informal, ornate or plain).
colloquial defintion
Ordinary or familiar type of conversation
colloquial examples
phrases like by the skin of your teeth, or words like gonna or wanna.
colloquial impact
communication more engaging, or writing more approachable
connotation defintion
the associations suggested by a word. Implied meaning rather than literal meaning. (For example, “policeman,” “cop,” and “The Man” all denote the same literal meaning of police officer, but each has a different connotation.)
