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AP Language > Literature and Rhetorical Devices > Flashcards

Literature and Rhetorical Devices Flashcards

1
Q

Active Voice: Definition

A

The subject of the sentence performs the action.

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2
Q

Allusion: Definition

A

An indirect reference to something with which the reader is supposed to be familiar.

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3
Q

Alter-ego: Definition

A

A character that is used by the author to speak the author’s own thoughts; when an author
speaks directly to the audience through a character.

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4
Q

Anecdote: Definition

A

A brief recounting of a relevant episode.

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5
Q

Antecedent: Definition

A

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

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6
Q

Classicism: Definition

A

Art or literature characterized by a realistic view of people and the world

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7
Q

Comic Relief: Definition

A

When a humorous scene is inserted into a serious story

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8
Q

Diction: Definition

A

Word choice, particularly as an element of style.

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9
Q

Didactic: Definition

A

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.

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10
Q

Ellipsis: Definition

A

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

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11
Q

Euphemism: Definition

A

A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts.

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12
Q

Figurative Language: Definition

A

Writing that is not meant to be taken literally.

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13
Q

Foreshadowing: Definition

A

When an author gives hints about what will occur later in a story.

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14
Q

Genre: Definition

A

The major category into which a literary work fits.

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15
Q

Gothic: Definition

A

Writing characterized by gloom, mystery, fear and/or death. Also refers to an architectural style
of the middle ages, often seen in cathedrals of this period.

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16
Q

Imagery: Definition

A

Word or words that create a picture in the reader’s mind.

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17
Q

Invective: Definition

A

A long, emotionally violent, attack using strong, abusive language.

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18
Q

Irony: Definition

A

When the opposite of what you expect to happen does.

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19
Q

Juxtaposition: Definition

A

Placing things side by side for the purposes of comparison.

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20
Q

Mood: Definition

A

The atmosphere created by the literature and accomplished through word choice (diction).

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21
Q

Motif: Definition

A

a recurring idea in a piece of literature.

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22
Q

Oxymoron: Definition

A

When apparently contradictory terms are grouped together and suggest a paradox

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23
Q

Pacing: Definition

A

The speed or tempo of an author’s writing.

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24
Q

Paradox: Definition

A

A seemingly contradictory situation which is actually true.

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25
Q

Parallelism: Definition

A

Sentence construction which

places equal grammatical constructions near each other, or repeats identical grammatical patterns.

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26
Q

Parenthetical Idea: Definition

A

Parentheses are used to set off an idea from the rest of the sentence.

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27
Q

Parody: Definition

A

An exaggerated imitation of a serious work for humorous purposes.

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28
Q

Persona: Definition

A

The fictional mask or narrator that tells a story.

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29
Q

Poetic device: Definition

A

A device used in poetry to manipulate the sound of words, sentences or lines.

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30
Q

Polysyndeton: Definition

A

When a writer creates a list of items which are all separated by conjunctions.

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31
Q

Pun: Definition

A

When a word that has two or more meanings is used in a humorous way.

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32
Q

Rhetoric: Definition

A

The art of effective communication.

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33
Q

Rhetorical Question: Definition

A

Question not asked for information but for effect.

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34
Q

Romanticism: Definition

A

Art or literature characterized by an idealistic, perhaps unrealistic view of people and the
world, and an emphasis on nature.

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35
Q

Sarcasm: Definition

A

A generally bitter comment that is ironically or satirically worded.

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36
Q

Satire: Definition

A

A work that reveals a critical attitude toward some element of life to a humorous effect.

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37
Q

Sentence: Definition

A

A sentence is group of words (including subject and verb) that expresses a complete thought.

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38
Q

Style: Definition

A

The choices in diction, tone, and syntax that a writer makes.

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39
Q

Symbol: Definition

A

Anything that represents or stands for something else.

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40
Q

Syntax/sentence variety: Definition

A

Grammatical arrangement of words.

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41
Q

Theme: Definition

A

The central idea or message of a work.

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42
Q

Thesis: Definition

A

The sentence or groups of sentences that directly expresses the author’s opinion, purpose, meaning,
or proposition.

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43
Q

Tone: Definition

A

A writer’s attitude toward his subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language and
organization.

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44
Q

Understatement: Definition

A

The ironic minimizing of fact, understatement presents something as less significant
than it is.

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45
Q

Argument: Definition

A

An argument is a piece of reasoning with one or more premises and a conclusion.

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46
Q

Aristotle’s appeals: Definition

A

The goal of argumentative writing is to persuade an audience that one’s ideas are valid, or more
valid than someone else’s. The Greek philosopher Aristotle divided all means of persuasion
(appeals) into three categories - ethos, pathos, and logos.

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47
Q

Concession: Definition

A

Accepting at least part or all of an opposing viewpoint.

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48
Q

Conditional Statement: Definition

A

A conditional statement is an if-then statement and consists of two parts, an antecedent and a
consequent.

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49
Q

Contradiction: Definition

A

A contradiction occurs when one asserts two mutually exclusive propositions

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50
Q

Counterexample: Definition

A

A counterexample is an example that runs counter to (opposes) a generalization, thus falsifying it.

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51
Q

Deductive argument: Definition

A

An argument in which it is thought that the premises provide a guarantee of the truth of the
conclusion.

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52
Q

Fallacy: Definition

A

A fallacy is an attractive but unreliable piece of reasoning.

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53
Q

Inductive argument: Definition

A

An argument in which it is thought that the premises provide reasons supporting the probable truth
of the conclusion.

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54
Q

Sound argument: Definition

A

A deductive argument is said to be sound if it meets two conditions: First, that the line of
reasoning from the premises to the conclusion is valid. Second, that the premises are true.

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55
Q

Unstated premises: Definition

A

Not every argument is fully expressed. Sometimes premises or even conclusions are left
unexpressed.

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56
Q

Valid argument: Definition

A

An argument is valid if the conclusion logically follows from the premises.

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57
Q

Colloquial: Definition

A

Ordinary or familiar type of conversation.

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58
Q

Connotation: Definition

A

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

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59
Q

Denotation: Definition

A

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

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60
Q

Jargon: Definition

A

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

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61
Q

Vernacular: Definition

A

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

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62
Q

Adage: Definition

A

A folk saying with a lesson.

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63
Q

Allegory: Definition

A

A story, fictional or non fictional, in which characters, things, and events represent
qualities or concepts. The interaction of these characters, things, and events is meant to reveal an
abstraction or a truth.

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64
Q

Aphorism: Definition

A

A terse statement which expresses a general truth or moral principle. An aphorism
can be a memorable summation of the author’s point.

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65
Q

Analogy: Definition

A

An analogy is a comparison of one pair of variables to a parallel set of variables.

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66
Q

Hyperbole: Definition

A

Exaggeration

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67
Q

Idiom: Definition

A

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

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68
Q

Metaphor: Definition

A

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

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69
Q

Metonymy: Definition

A

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

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70
Q

Synecdoche: Definition

A

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

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71
Q

Simile: Definition

A

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

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72
Q

Synesthesia: Definition

A

a description involving a “crossing of the senses.”

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73
Q

Personification: Definition

A

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

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74
Q

Verbal Irony: Definition

A

When you say something and mean the opposite/something different.

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75
Q

Dramatic Irony: Definition

A

When the audience of a drama, play, movie, etc. knows something that the
character doesn’t and would be surprised to find out.

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76
Q

Situational Irony: Definition

A

Found in the plot (or story line) of a book, story, or movie.

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77
Q

Anaphora: Definition

A

Repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences or
clauses in a row.

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78
Q

Chiasmus: Definition

A

When the same words are used twice in succession, but the second time, the order of
the words is reversed.

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79
Q

Antithesis: Definition

A

Two opposite or contrasting words, phrases, or clauses, or even ideas, with parallel
structure.

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80
Q

Zuegma (Syllepsis): Definition

A

When a single word governs or modifies two or more other words, and the
meaning of the first word must change for each of the other words it governs or modifies.

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81
Q

Alliteration: Definition

A

The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words.

82
Q

Assonance: Definition

A

The repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds.

83
Q

Consonance: Definition

A

The repetition of the same consonant sound at the end of words or within words.

84
Q

Onomatopoeia: Definition

A

The use of a word which imitates or suggests the sound that the thing makes.

85
Q

Internal Rhyme: Definition

A

When a line of poetry contains a rhyme within a single line.

86
Q

Slant Rhyme: Definition

A

When a poet creates a rhyme, but the two words do not rhyme exactly – they are merely similar.

87
Q

End Rhyme: Definition

A

When the last word of two different lines of poetry rhyme.

88
Q

Rhyme Scheme: Definition

A

The pattern of a poem’s end rhymes.

89
Q

Stressed and unstressed syllables: Definition

A

In every word of more than one syllable, one of the syllables is stressed, or said with more force
than the other syllable(s).

90
Q

Meter: Definition

A

A regular pattern to the syllables in lines of poetry.

91
Q

Free Verse: Definition

A

Poetry that doesn’t have much meter or rhyme.

92
Q

Iambic Pentameter: Definition

A

Poetry that is written in lines of 10 syllables, alternating stressed and unstressed syllables.

93
Q

Sonnet: Definition

A

A 14 line poem written in iambic pentameter. Usually divided into three quatrains and a couplet.

94
Q

Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle: Definition

A

The relationships, in any piece of writing,
between the writer, the audience, and the
subject.

95
Q

Appositive: Definition

A

A word or group of words placed beside a noun or noun substitute to supplement its
meaning.

96
Q

Clause: Definition

A

A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb.

97
Q

Balanced Sentence: Definition

A

A sentence in which two parallel elements are set off against each
other like equal weights on a scale. Both parts are parallel grammatically.

98
Q

Compound Sentence: Definition

A

Contains at least two independent clauses but no dependent

clauses.

99
Q

Complex Sentence: Definition

A

Contains only one independent clause and at least one dependent
clause.

100
Q

Cumulative Sentence: Definition

A

When the writer begins with an

independent clause, then adds subordinate elements.

101
Q

Periodic Sentence: Definition

A

When the main idea is not completed until the end of the sentence.

102
Q

Simple Sentence: Definition

A

Contains only one independent clause

103
Q

Declarative Sentence: Definition

A

Sentence that states an idea.

104
Q

Imperative Sentence: Definition

A

Sentence that issues a command

105
Q

Interrogative Sentence: Definition

A

Sentences incorporating interrogative pronouns (what, which,

who, whom, and whose).

106
Q

Litotes: Definition

A

a particular form of understatement, generated by denying the opposite of the statement
which otherwise would be used.

107
Q

Premises: Definition

A

Statements offered as reasons to support a conclusion

108
Q

Conclusion: Definition

A

End result of the argument – the main point being made.

109
Q

Ethos (credibility): Definition

A

Being convinced by the credibility of the author.

110
Q

Pathos (emotional): Definition

A

Persuading by appealing to the reader’s emotions.

111
Q

Logos (logical): Definition

A

persuading by the use of reasoning, using true premises and valid arguments.

112
Q

Ad Hominem: Definition

A

Personally attacking your opponents instead of their

arguments.

113
Q

Appeal to Authority: Definition

A

The claim that because somebody famous supports an idea, the idea must be right.

114
Q

Appeal to the Bandwagon: Definition

A

The claim, as evidence for an idea, that many people believe it, or used to believe it, or do it.

115
Q

Appeal to Emotion: Definition

A

An attempt to replace a logical argument with an appeal to the audience’s emotions.

116
Q

Bad Analogy: Definition

A

Claiming that two situations are highly similar, when they aren’t.

117
Q

Cliche Thinking: Definition

A

Using as evidence a well-known saying, as if it is proven, or as if it has no exceptions.

118
Q

False Cause: Definition

A

Assuming that because two things happened, the first one caused the second one.

119
Q

Hasty Generalization: Definition

A

A generalization based on too little or unrepresentative data.

120
Q

Non Sequitur: Definition

A

A conclusion that does not follow from its premises; an invalid argument.

121
Q

Slippery Slope: Definition

A

The assumption that once started, a situation will continue to its most extreme possible outcome.

122
Q

Active Voice: Effect

A

This is a more direct and preferred style of

writing

123
Q

Allusion: Effect

A

Can provide further meaning to a text or make an iconic comment

124
Q

Alter-ego: Effect

A

Allows the author to speak their thoughts

125
Q

Anecdote: Effect

A

inserted into fictional or non

fictional texts as a way of developing a point or injecting humor.

126
Q

Antecedent: Effect

A

Allows the reader to know what pronouns are reffering to

127
Q

Classicism: Effect

A

Text focuses more on science and reason

128
Q

Comic Relief: Effect

A

Lightens the mood in a serious story

129
Q

Diction: Effect

A

Word choices can have an effect on the meaning of a text

130
Q

Colloquial: Effect

A

Feels like a conversation and makes text more engaging

131
Q

Connotation: Effect

A

Affect how the reader feels by using words

132
Q

Denotation: Effect

A

Used for meaning and can be used for objective writing

133
Q

Jargon: Effect

A

Used to convey hidden meaning in the field the jargon is used in

134
Q

Vernacular: Effect

A

Can be used to develop a character or setting

135
Q

Didactic: Effect

A

Inform or instruct a reader in moral or political lessons

136
Q

Adage: Effect

A

Expresses a general fact or truth about life

137
Q

Allegory: Effect

A

Can be used to explain an idea or principle

138
Q

Aphorism: Effect

A

Impart sense and wisdom

139
Q

Ellipsis: Effect

A

Used for dramatic effect or getting to a point

140
Q

Euphemism: Effect

A

Can be used for humor or political correctness

141
Q

Figurative Language: Effect

A

Help readers visualize and engage in a text

142
Q

Analogy: Effect

A

Builds a connection between pairs of variables

143
Q

Hyperbole: Effect

A

Can evoke strong feelings or be used for comedic effect

144
Q

Idiom: Effect

A

Can amplify messages or describe them in a creative way

145
Q

Metaphor: Effect

A

Can create a verbal picture that helps the reader see ideas

146
Q

Metonymy: Effect

A

Creates vivid images

147
Q

Synecdoche: Effect

A

Emphasizes the quality of the subject

148
Q

Simile: Effect

A

Makes a direct comparison

149
Q

Synesthesia: Effect

A

Creates vivid imagery and meaning

150
Q

Personification: Effect

A

Lets readers connect to objects or make descriptions more vivid

151
Q

Foreshadowing: Effect

A

Creates suspense or convey information about future events

152
Q

Genre: Effect

A

Lets readers understand what type of elements are in a story

153
Q

Gothic: Effect

A

Creates feelings of fear and dread in the reader.

154
Q

Imagery: Effect

A

Creates a picture in the reader’s mind.

155
Q

Situational Irony: Effect

A

Can create humor in a situation

156
Q

Juxtaposition: Effect

A

Can make a point using comparison

157
Q

Mood: Effect

A

Creates atmosphere

158
Q

Motif: Effect

A

Contributes to the development of the theme

159
Q

Oxymoron: Effect

A

Adds complexity

160
Q

Pacing: Effect

A

Determines how fast a story moves

161
Q

Paradox: Effect

A

Makes the reader look at an idea in a more innovative way

162
Q

Parallelism: Effect

A

adds emphasis, organization, or sometimes pacing to writing.

163
Q

Anaphora: Effect

A

helps make the writer’s point more

coherent.

164
Q

Chiasmus: Effect

A

make a significant point or quote or to balance sentences

165
Q

Antithesis: Effect

A

achieves a contrasting effect

166
Q

Zuegma (Syllepsis): Effect

A

creates witty or comical effect

167
Q

Parenthetical Idea: Effect

A

Adds clarity or sets off dates and numbers

168
Q

Parody: Effect

A

Pokes fun at something for humor

169
Q

Persona: effect

A

Gives readers insight into the author’s ideas or beliefs.

170
Q

Poetic device: Effect

A

Appeals to senses

171
Q

Alliteration: Effect

A

focuses readers’ attention on a particular section of text

172
Q

Assonance: Effect

A

grab the reader’s attention and make something intriguing thing that can be remembered for a long time.

173
Q

Onomatopoeia: Effect

A

add excitement, action, and interest

174
Q

Internal rhyme: Effect

A

employed to heighten the poem’s effects

175
Q

Slant rhyme: Effect

A

create a certain rhythm to a poem without using direct rhyme

176
Q

End rhyme: Effect

A

give musical effect to the poem or song

177
Q

Rhyme Scheme: Effect

A

helps make a poem musical

178
Q

Meter: Effect

A

helps set the pace to support the underlying tone

179
Q

Free Verse: Effect

A

frees a poem from formal constraints

180
Q

Iambic pentameter: Effect

A

a way to add rhythm to the poem in one specific way

181
Q

Polysyndeton: Effect

A

used to slow down the pace of the writing and/or add an authoritative tone.

182
Q

Pun: Effect

A

Used for humor

183
Q

Rhetoric: Effect

A

Increases effect of writing and persuasion

184
Q

Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle: Effect

A

Provoke thought or grab attention

185
Q

Sarcasm: Effect

A

Creates a bitter and mocking tone

186
Q

Satire: Effect

A

Humorous effect

187
Q

Sentence: Effect

A

Displays a complete thought

188
Q

Appositive: Effect

A

Supplements meaning

189
Q

Clause: Effect

A

Expresses a thought

190
Q

Sonnet: Effect

A

Contain strong emotions

191
Q

Rhetorical Question: Effect

A

Adds emphasis or impact

192
Q

Romanticism: Effect

A

Creates focus on idealistic or unrealistic views of the world and nature

193
Q

Balanced Structure: Effect

A

Makes an idea easy to remember

194
Q

Compound sentence: Effect

A

Add detail to a simple sentence

195
Q

Complex sentence: Effect

A

Join two ideas

196
Q

Cumulative sentence: Effect

A

Refine the main idea of a sentence

197
Q

Periodic sentence: Effect

A

Emphasizes the main idea of a sentence

198
Q

Simple sentence: Effect

A

Can be short to make a point or add haste

199
Q

Declarative sentence: Effect

A

Gives information

200
Q

Imperative sentence: Effect

A

Displays a command

AP Language (1 decks)

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