Ap English Exam Vocab

Front 1

abstract

Back 1

(n.)An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research.
(adj.)Dealing with or tending to deal with a subject apart from a particular or specific instance.

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ad hominem

Back 2

Directed to or appealing to feelings or prejudices instead of to intellect or reason.

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adage

Back 3

A saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language. Ex: "There is more than one way to skin a cat."

Front 4

allegory

Back 4

A story in which a second meaning is to be read beneath the surface.

Front 5

alliteration

Back 5

The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines in a poem.

Front 6

allusion

Back 6

A reference to a person, place or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea.

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ambiguity

Back 7

A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings or interpretations.

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anachronism

Back 8

A person, scene, event, or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era. Ex: Columbus sailing to the United States.

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analogy

Back 9

A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things; a passage that points out several similarities between two unlike things is called an extended analogy.

Front 10

anecdote

Back 10

A brief narrative often used to illustrate an idea or make a point.

Front 11

annotation

Back 11

A brief explanation, summary, or evaluation of a text or work of literature.

Front 12

antagonist

Back 12

A character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist, produces tension or conflict.

Front 13

antecedent

Back 13

A word to which a pronoun refers.

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antithesis

Back 14

A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences, as in the following:
"They promised freedom but provided slavery."
"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

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aphorism

Back 15

A short, pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment.

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Appolonian

Back 16

In contrast to Dionysian, it refers to the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and behavior.

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apostrophe

Back 17

A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present. Ex: "Oh, you cruel streets of Manhattan, how I detest you!"

Front 18

arch

Back 18

(adj.)Characterized by clever or sly humor, often saucy, playful and somewhat irreverent.

Front 19

archetype

Back 19

An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form.

Front 20

assonance

Back 20

The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words in prose or poetry.

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bard

Back 21

A poet; in olden times, a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment.

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bathos

Back 22

Insincere or overdone sentimentally.

Front 23

bibliography

Back 23

A list of words cited or otherwise relevant to a particular subject.

Front 24

bombast

Back 24

Inflated, pretentious language.

Front 25

burlesque

Back 25

A work of literature mean to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation.

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cacophony

Back 26

Grating, inharmonious sounds.

Front 27

canon

Back 27

The works considered most important in a national literature period; works widely read and studied.

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caricature

Back 28

A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things.

Front 29

carpe diem

Back 29

Literally, "seize the day"; enjoy life while you can, a common theme in life and literature.

Front 30

circumlocution

Back 30

Literally, "talking around" a subject, i.e., discourse that avoids direct reference to a subject.

Front 31

classic

Back 31

A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time.

Front 32

classical, classicism

Back 32

Deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture, implies formality, objectivity, simplicity, and restraint

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clause

Back 33

A structural element of a sentence, consisting of a grammatical subject and a predicate. Independent clauses, sometimes called main clauses, may stand on their own as complete sentences; dependent clauses, which are used as nouns or modifiers, are incomplete sentences and may not stand alone grammatically. Dependent clauses are sometimes called subordinate clauses. Dependent clauses that function as adjectives nouns, or adverbs are known, respectively, as adjective, noun and adverbial clauses.

Front 34

climax

Back 34

The high point, or turning point, of a story or play.

Front 35

comparison and contrast

Back 35

A mode of discourse in which two or more things are compared and contrasted. Comparison often refers to similarities, contrast to differences.

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conceit

Back 36

A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea, often stated in figurative language.

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concrete detail

Back 37

A highly specific, particular, often real, actual, or tangible detail; the oposite of abstract.

Front 38

connotation

Back 38

The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase. Contrast with denotation.

Front 39

consonance

Back 39

The repitition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a unit of speech or writing.

Front 40

critique

Back 40

An analysis or assessment of a thing or situation for the purpose of determining its nature, its limitations, and its conformity to a set of standards.

Front 41

cynic

Back 41

One who expects and observes nothing but the worst of human conduct.

Front 42

deductive reasoning

Back 42

A method of reasoning by which specific definitions, conclusions, and theorems are drawn from general principles. Its opposite is inductive reasoning.

Front 43

denotation

Back 43

The dictionary definition of a word. Contrast with connotation.

Front 44

denouement

Back 44

The resolution that occurs at the end of a narrative or drama, real or imagined.