AICE Language Semester 2 Final Study Guide

Flashcards for AICE Language Semester 2 Final Exam Review

Mood

Feeling or atmosphere created by the author

Example: A dark, stormy night in a horror novel creates a mood of suspense and fear.

Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject

Example: A sarcastic tone in an editorial criticizing a political decision.

Rising Action

The series of events that build tension and lead to the climax of the story.

Example: In 'The Hunger Games,' the rising action includes Katniss volunteering for Prim and her training for the games.

Climax

The turning point of the story, where the conflict reaches its peak.

Example: In 'Romeo and Juliet,' the climax is when Romeo kills Tybalt.

Falling Action

The events after the climax that lead to the resolution.

Example: In 'Pride and Prejudice,' the falling action includes Elizabeth and Darcy resolving their misunderstandings.

Resolution

The end of the story where the conflict is resolved.

Example: In 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,' the resolution is when Voldemort is defeated and peace is restored.

Suspense Techniques

Ways authors create tension

Example: Using cliffhangers, vivid language, and foreshadowing.

Cliffhangers

A plot device in which the narrative ends on a suspenseful note, often leaving the main character in a dangerous or uncertain situation.

Example: Ending a chapter with the protagonist cornered by an enemy.

Vivid Language

Language that is strikingly descriptive and evokes strong imagery.

Example: 'The crimson sunset bled across the sky.'

Foreshadowing

Hints or clues about events that will occur later in the story.

Example: A character finding a mysterious letter that hints at a future betrayal.

Red Herrings

Misleading clues or distractions that lead the audience away from the true solution.

Example: A suspicious character who seems guilty but is ultimately innocent.

Unanswered Questions

Questions that are deliberately not answered to create suspense and make the audience wonder.

Example: Leaving the fate of a character ambiguous at the end of a story.

Tension

A state of heightened worry, anxiety, or excitement that drives the narrative forward.

Example: A ticking bomb or a looming deadline.

Pacing

The speed at which a story is told and events unfold; it may be manipulated to create suspense.

Example: Short, fast-paced sentences during an action scene.

Characterization

The method an author uses to reveal characters and their various personalities.

Example: Describing a character's appearance, actions, and dialogue.

Foreshadowing

A technique used to create suspense by hinting at events that will occur later.

Example: A dark and stormy weather foreshadowing a tragic event.

Censorship

The act of imposing restrictions on access to or availability of information, ideas, or artistic expression.

Example: Banning books from a library.

Conformity vs. Control

Societal pressure to conform to certain standards of behavior and thought patterns.

Example: Social expectations to dress or behave in a certain way.

Connotation

A word's underlying meaning, which can be negative or positive

Example: 'Home' has a positive connotation, while 'residence' is neutral.

Jargon

Specialized or technical language.

Example: Medical Jargon

Colloquial Language

Informal, conversational language.

Example: 'Gonna', 'wanna'.

Inclusive diction

Diction which includes the audience

Example: 'We', 'us', 'our'.

Lexical Field

Related words in meaning i.e. knife, fork, spoon relate to eating

Example: Garden, seeds, plants, fertilizer.

Anastrophe

Inversion of normal word order.

Example: 'Yet what for us gives joy'.

Chiasmus

Words repeated in reverse order.

Example: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair'.

Climax

Arrangement in order of increasing importance.

Example: 'It's a bird, it's a plane, it's Superman!".

Concession

Acknowledging the validity of the opposition's points.

Example: 'While I understand your concerns, I must disagree'.

Asyndeton

Omission of conjunctions.

Example: 'I came, I saw, I conquered'.

Polysyndeton

Excessive conjunctions.

Example: 'I laughed and I cried and I danced'.

Juxtaposition

Placing two concepts next to each other.

Example: 'Dark and light'.

Antithesis

Opposite ideas are presented in a parallel manner.

Example: 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times'.

Apposition

A noun or phrase that renames another noun beside it.

Example: 'My friend, John, is coming to visit'.

Analogy

A comparison to a directly unrelated subject.

Example: 'Life is like a box of chocolates'.

Euphemism

A mild or indirect term substituted for one considered offensive.

Example: 'Passed away' instead of 'died'.

Irony

Saying one thing but meaning the opposite.

Example: 'What a beautiful day' during a hurricane.

Litotes

Understatement.

Example: 'It's just a scratch' when it is a deep wound.

Meiosis

Intentional understatement.

Example: Saying 'It's a bit nippy out' to describe severely cold weather.

Metaphor

Implied comparison.

Example: 'The snow is a white blanket'.

Metonymy

Figure of speech in which something is called by the name of something closely associated.

Example: 'The pen is mightier than the sword'.

Paradox

Contradictory statement with latent truth.

Example: 'Less is more'.

Parallelism

Similarity of structure.

Example: I love food. I love tacos!

Simile

Explicit comparison.

Example: 'As brave as a lion'.

Symbol(ism)

Anything that stands for or represents something else.

Example: A dove is a symbol of peace.

Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds.

Example: 'Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers'.

Anadiplosis

Last word of clause is first word of next.

Example: 'Fear leads to anger; anger leads to hatred; hatred leads to conflict'.

Anaphora

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

Example: 'Every day, every night, in every way, I am getting better and better'.

Antimetabole

Words repeated in reverse order.

Example: 'Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country'.

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds.

Example: 'The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain'.

Commoratio

Dwelling on a point.

Example: Repeating the same argument in different ways.

Diacope

Word or phrase broken up by other words.

Example: 'To be, or not to be, that is the question'.

Epanalepsis

Adding a word to which something has already been said.

Example: ''A rose is a rose'.

Epimone

Persistent Repetition.

Example: Repeating the same word or phrase throughout a speech.

Epiphora

Repetition at the end.

Example: 'See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil'.

Epizeuxis

Successive repetition.

Example: 'Words, words, words'.

Polyptoton

Using same root with different inflections.

Example: I have often reproved my friends for reproving me.

Action Verb

Using the present or past tense to show an action

Example: run, jump, swim

Participial Phrase

This can be placed anywhere as long as it starts with an -ing or -ed.

Example: Jumping and Laughing, the boy couldn't contain his joy

ambivalent

Having mixed feelings
“I want to go, but I also don’t. I’m so torn!”

Antagonistic

Hostile or opposing

“Whatever you say, I’m doing the opposite.”

Audacious

Bold and daring, often in a reckless way.

“I can't believe you dared to jump off that cliff!”

Authoritative

Commanding and self-confident, likely to be respected or obeyed. "Listen up. This is how it’s going to be."

Candid

Honest and straightforward in expression.

“You asked, so ill tell you the truth, even if its not pretty"

Condescending

Patronizingly superior in attitude.

“Oh sweetie, you wouldn’t understand. It’s complicated.”

Contemptuous

Feeling or expressing disdain; scornful.

“Ugh, that idea is beneath me.”

Dejected

Feeling sad and disheartened; downcast.

“It’s whatever…I didn’t expect to be picked anyway.”

Didactic

Intended to teach or instruct, often in a moralizing manner.

“Actually, you should always hold your pencil like this."

Emphatic

Expressing something forcefully and clearly; showing emphasis.

“I told you i’m not going, and thats final!”

Empathetic

Showing an ability to understand and share the feelings of others.

“I get it. I’ve been through that too”

Facetious

Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor.

“Oh sure, because failing a test is soooo much fun.”

Indignant

Feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment.

Why should I be punished when I didn’t do anything wrong?"

Inquisitive

Having a strong desire to learn or obtain information.

“Why do stars shine? Whats gravity? How does time work?”

Melancholy

A deep, persistent sadness or gloom.

“I miss those quiet mornings we used to have.”

Nostalgic

A sentimental longing for the past, often in a wistful or affectionate way.

“Remember our old summer trips? Those were the best.”

Objective

Not influenced by personal feelings; based on factual information.

“The test had 30 questions, and she got 24 right.”

Pedantic

Overly concerned with rules or small details.

“Technically, it’s not a ‘cup’, it’s a 236.654 ml container.”

Pious

Devoutly religious or morally superior.

“We must always do what’s right, as the good book says.”

Plaintive

Sounding sad or mournful

“I just wish things had turned out differently.”

Poignant

Emotionally touching

“The goodbye letter made me cry”

Pragmatic

Pratical and realistic

“We can’t afford that, so let’s find a cheaper option.”

Reproachful

Expressing disapproval

“I expected better from you.”

Reverent

Deeply respectful

“She spoke about the tradition with awe in her voice.”

Sentimental

Full of emotion, often about the past.

“This old sweater? My Grandma gave it to me.”

Somber

Serious, dark, or gloomy
“The room fell silent after the bad news”

Subjective

Based on personal feelings

“In my opinion, that was the best movie ever.”

Vexed

Annoyed or frustrated

“I’ve asked you five times already!”

Volatile

Unpredictable, explosive

“One second he’s laughing, the next he’s lying.”

zealous

Passionately enthusiastic

“I will not rest until this project is perfect!”