AP Vocab (January - May)

Didactic

Intended to teach or instruct

Many of the shows on the channel are didactic, teaching children about such things as the importance of recycling through the actions animated characters.

Sardonic

Grimly mocking or cynical

In the cartoon, the villain gave a sardonic sneer before kicking the hero off the top off the building

Cynical

Distrustful of human sincerity or motives

She was cynical about whether politicians genuinely do good deeds

Reverent

Showing deep respect

I think it’s sad that in today’s society people reverence actors far more than they do scientists and intellectuals.

Nostalgic

Longing for the past

Weather that triggers recollection of a similar day in the past.

Ironic

Conveying meaning opposite of the literal sense

A lifeguard drowns at the beach

Contemptuous

Showing scorn or disdain

I’d never do that to you

Optimistic

Hopeful and positive about the future

Despite all the difficulties, She still remains optimistic

Ambivalent

Having mixed or conflicting feelings

many peole are ambivalent about using social media

Pragmatic

Dealing with things practically and realistically

He favored a pragmatic approach to the problem

Solemn

Serious and dignified

A marriage is no amusement but a solemn act, and generally a sad one

Whimsical

Playfully odd or fanciful

It’s a charming p, whimsical tale aimed at children

Polysyndeton

The deliberate use of many conjunctions

"In years gone by, there were in every community men and women who spoke the language of duty and morality and loyalty and obligation."

- William F. Buckley

Asyndeton

The deliberate omission of conjunctions

In Fahrenheit 451 written by Ray Bradbury, we see an example of asyndeton in the phrase "speed up the movie, picture, look, eyes. now, flicks." Here the work and is omitted.

Anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of the clauses

Let us find joy in the journey. Let us find meaning in the challenges.

Epistrophe

Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of clauses

Knowledge expands understanding. Knowledge fuels innovation. Knowledge empowers individuals.

Chiasmus

Reversal of grammatical structures in successive clauses.

Don’t sweat the petty things and don’t pet the sweaty things.

Zeugma

A figure of speech where one word applies to multiple parts of a sentence.

He fell down the stairs and in love

Syllogism

A form of reasoning with a major premise, minor premise, and conclusion

If I have to study, then I won’t get a good might’s sleep.

Enthymeme

“Drugs kill the innocent, so drugs are wrong” (implied: Killing the innocent is wrong).

Paradox

A statement that seems contradictory but revels truth

The more you learn, the more you realize you don’t know.

Qualifier

A word phrase that limits the strength of a claim

Certainty: That is probably the best option.

Absolutist language

Language that expresses certainly without exception.

“You never listen to my advice”. (Implies 100% lack of listening).

Cumulative sentence

A sentence that begins with a main clause and adds details

The bell rang for lunch, sending students rushing to the cafeteria, grabbing their lunch boxes, and hurrying to find seats at the tables. (Independent clause: "The bell rang for lunch").

Colloquialism

Informal words or phrases used in everyday speech.

“I’m gonna swing by the store feet I get off work”.

Euphemism

A mild phrase used in place of something harsh.

We had to put our dog to sleep after he became very sick”. (Euphemism for killing a sick pet)

Satire

Writing that criticizes society through humor or irony.

“The Enviroment cries out for help, but we’re too busy buying eco-friendly water bottles”.

Parody

An imitation meant to mock or comment on a work or style.

“Weird Al Yankovich has made a career out of creating musical parodies of popular songs”.

Polemic

A strong verbal or written attack on something

“War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength”.

Allegory

A story with symbolic meaning beyond the literal

“The author uses the sinking boat in the story as an allegory for failing marriage”.