AP Lang Diction Vocabulary Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What does the term 'abstract' mean?

Open to several interpretations

Learned or scholarly but lacking in practicality

Difficult to understand; abstruse (correct)

Known by very few

What does the term 'academic' mean?

Mysterious in meaning

Having a harsh sound

Learned or scholarly but lacking in common sense (correct)

Elevated in style

What does 'ambiguous' mean?

Known or understood by very few

Rudely brief in speech

Open to several meanings (correct)

Very limited in scope

What does the word 'arcane' mean?

Mysterious or secret Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the term 'austere'?

Severe and simple Signup and view all the answers

What does 'banal' refer to?

Commonplace and lacking originality Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'biting' in terms of diction?

Cutting or sarcastic Signup and view all the answers

What does 'bombastic' imply?

High-sounding and pretentious Signup and view all the answers

What does 'brusque' mean?

Abrupt in manner Signup and view all the answers

What does 'cacophonous' refer to?

Having a harsh sound Signup and view all the answers

What does 'casual' convey?

Indifferent or apathetic Signup and view all the answers

What does 'caustic' mean?

Harshly critical or sarcastic Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'concrete' imply?

Real, tangible or particular Signup and view all the answers

What does 'colloquial' refer to?

Characteristic of everyday conversation Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'colorful' in diction?

Vividly distinctive and varied Signup and view all the answers

What does 'common' imply?

Hackneyed and lacking freshness Signup and view all the answers

What does 'connotative' mean?

Associated secondary meanings Signup and view all the answers

What best describes 'cryptic'?

Mysterious and ambiguous Signup and view all the answers

What does 'cultured' refer to?

Enlightened and refined Signup and view all the answers

What does 'crisp' mean in terms of diction?

Brisk and clear Signup and view all the answers

What does 'curt' imply?

Rudely brief in speech Signup and view all the answers

What does 'denotative' mean?

Literal meaning of a term Signup and view all the answers

What does 'detached' mean?

Aloof and indifferent Signup and view all the answers

What does 'didactic' mean?

Tending to teach or lecture excessively Signup and view all the answers

What does 'earnest' convey?

Showing depth and sincerity Signup and view all the answers

What does 'elitist' refer to?

Consciousness of belonging to a favored group Signup and view all the answers

What does 'emotional' mean?

Determined by emotion Signup and view all the answers

What does 'erudite' imply?

Characterized by great knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What does 'flowery' mean in terms of diction?

Ornate or precious rhetoric Signup and view all the answers

What does 'inflammatory' refer to?

Tending to evoke strong emotions Signup and view all the answers

What does 'lofty' mean?

Elevated in style or attitude Signup and view all the answers

What does 'parochial' mean?

Limited or narrow in outlook Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the term 'pedantic'?

Characterized by formal learning and rules Signup and view all the answers

What does 'pithy' mean?

Brief and meaningful Signup and view all the answers

What does 'pompous' convey?

Ostentatiously lofty or high-flown Signup and view all the answers

What does 'pretentious' mean?

Making an exaggerated outward show Signup and view all the answers

What does 'technical' refer to?

Utilizing specialized terminology Signup and view all the answers

What does 'trite' mean?

Lacking freshness or originality Signup and view all the answers

What does 'turgid' suggest?

Inflated or overblown Signup and view all the answers

What does 'vapid/insipid' mean?

Dull or lacks spirit Signup and view all the answers

What does 'vernacular' mean?

Everyday, ordinary language Signup and view all the answers

What does 'vulgar' convey?

Lacking distinction or charm Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of 'diction'?

Word choice, style used by author Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Diction Descriptions

Abstract: Refers to concepts that are difficult to understand or are abstruse.
Academic: Describes language that is learned or scholarly but often lacks practical application or common sense.
Ambiguous: Indicates language that has multiple possible meanings or interpretations, creating an equivocal effect.
Arcane: Pertains to language that is understood by very few, often perceived as mysterious or secretive.
Austere: Characterizes a severely simple style without any ornamentation.
Banal: Highlights language that is repetitive and devoid of freshness, often described as trite or hackneyed.
Biting: Refers to language that is cutting or sarcastic in tone.
Bombastic: Indicates language that is inflated, high-flown, or pretentious while lacking substance.
Brusque: Describes interactions that are abrupt, blunt, or rough in manner.
Cacophonous: Refers to language that produces a harsh or discordant sound, often considered unpleasant.
Casual: Suggests a tone that appears indifferent or apathetic to ongoing events or subjects.
Caustic: Pertains to language that is critically harsh or sarcastic.
Concrete: Describes language that is tangible and specific, as opposed to abstract terms.
Colloquial: Relates to language that is informal and characteristic of everyday conversation.
Colorful: Indicates language rich in variety, often vivid and distinctive.
Common: Suggests language that is trite or hackneyed.
Connotative: Refers to the associated meanings of a word beyond its literal meaning, often carrying emotional weight.
Cryptic: Pertains to language that is mysterious or puzzling in its meaning.
Cultured: Describes a refined and enlightened style, indicative of education and sophistication.
Crisp: Characterizes language that is sharp, clear, and lively in expression.
Curt: Refers to language that is rudely brief or abruptly terse.
Denotative: Indicates the literal or primary meaning of a term, grounded in fact.
Detached: Describes a lack of involvement or emotional investment; aloofness in expression.
Didactic: Pertains to language that is overly instructive or inclined to lecture excessively.
Earnest: Reflects a depth of sincerity and genuine feeling in expression.
Elitist: Conveys a sense of pride in belonging to a select or favored group, suggesting exclusivity.
Emotional: Indicates language that is driven by feelings rather than logic or reason.
Erudite: Characterizes language marked by great knowledge; scholarly and learned.
Flowery: Refers to language that is rhetorically ornate and ornate in nature.
Inflammatory: Describes language that provokes anger, hostility, or strong emotions.
Lofty: Pertains to elevated language that can come off as condescending or superior.
Parochial: Indicates a narrow, limited viewpoint, often lacking broader understanding.
Pedantic: Characterizes overly concerned language focused on book learning and formal rules.
Pithy: Refers to language that is brief yet forceful and meaningful in expression.
Pompous: Describes language that is excessively lofty or arrogant.
Pretentious: Relates to language that makes an exaggerated outward show or display.
Technical: Indicates language that employs specialized terminology relevant to a specific field.
Trite: Describes language that is stale due to constant use, lacking freshness.
Turgid: Refers to inflated or overblown language, often perceived as bombastic.
Vapid/Insipid: Characterizes language lacking liveliness or interest; dull and tedious.
Vernacular: Relates to the use of everyday, plain language.
Vulgar: Indicates language lacking in distinction or aesthetic value.

Additional Terms

Includes words such as inflated, informal, insincere, jargon, learned, literal, lyrical, melodious, nostalgic, obscure, offensive, ordinary, ornate, passionate, plain, poetic, precise, romantic, scholarly, sentimental, shocking, sincere, slang, symbolic, unifying, vague, whimsical.

General Definition

Diction: Refers to word choice and the overall style employed by an author in their writing.

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Description

Test your knowledge of diction with this set of flashcards focused on AP Language vocabulary. Each card provides a word along with its definition, helping you understand nuanced language better. Perfect for students preparing for AP exams!