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AP Language and Composition Vocabulary Flashcards

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4313970170audienceOne's listener or readership; those to whom text is addressed0
4313970171concessionAn argumentative strategy by which a speaker or writer acknowledges the validity of an opponent's point1
4313970173contextWords, events, or circumstances that help determine meaning2
4313970174counterargumentAn opposing argument to the one a writer is putting forward3
4313970177occasionThe time and place a speech is given or a piece is written4
4313970179personaThe face or character that a speaker shows to his/her audience5
4313970180polemicControversial argument, esp. one attacking a specific idea6
4313970181propagandaIdeas spread to influence public opinion for or against a cause.7
4313970182purposeOne's intention or objective in a speech or piece of writing.8
4313970183refutationa denial of the validity of an opposing argument9
4313970184rhetoricThe art of using language effectively and persuasively10
4313970185rhetorical appealsRhetorical techniques used to persuade an audience by emphasizing what they find most important or compelling. The three major appeals are to ethos (character), logos (reason), and pathos (emotion)11
4313970186rhetorical triangleA diagram that represents a rhetorical situation as the relationship among the speaker, the subject, and the audience (see Aristotelian triangle)12
4313970187speakerA term used for the author, speaker, or the person whose perspective (real or imagined) is being advanced in a text13
4313970188subjectIn rhetoric, the topic addressed in a piece of text14
4313970189textAny cultural product that can be "read", meaning consumed, comprehended, and investigated. Fiction, Nonfiction, poetry, speeches, fine art, cartoons, cultural trends, performances, etc15
4313970190toneAttitudes and presuppositions of the author that are revealed by their linguistic choices (diction, syntax, rhetorical devices)16
4313970195antithesisAn opposition or contrast of ideas that is often expressed in balanced phrases or clauses.17
4313970196archaic dictionThe use of words common to an earlier time period; antiquated language.18
4313970198cumulative sentenceA sentence in which the main independent clause is elaborated by the successive addition of modifying clauses or phrases (main clause is at the beginning).19
4313970199hortative sentenceA sentence that exhorts, urges, entreats, implores, or calls to action.20
4313970200imperative sentenceA sentence that requests or commands.21
4313970201inversionThe reversal of the normal word order in a sentence or phrase.22
4313970202juxtapositionPlacing two elements side by side to present a comparison or contrast.23
4313970203metaphorA comparison that establishes a figurative identity between objects being compared, does not use like or as.24
4313970205parallelismSimilarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses.25
4313970206periodic sentenceA sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end.26
4313970208rhetorical questionA figure of speech in the form of a question posed for rhetorical effect rather than for the purpose of getting an answer27
4313970209synecdocheA rhetorical trope involving a part of an object representing the whole, or the whole of an object representing a part.28
4313970212ad populumLatin for "to the crowd." A fallacy of logic in which the widespread occurrence of something is assumed to make it true. Bandwagon appeal.29
4313970214argumentA process of reasoned inquiry; a persuasive discourse resulting in a coherent and considered movement from a claim to a conclusion.30
4313970215assumptionA fact or statement that is taken for granted rather than tested or proved.31
4313970216backingSupport or evidence for a claim in an argument.32
4313970217begging the questionA fallacy in which a claim is based on evidence or support that is in doubt.33
4313970223the classical orationA five-part argument structure used by classical rhetoricians. The five parts are introduction, narration, confirmation, refutation, conclusion.34
4313970224introduction (exordium)Introduces the reader to the subject under discussion.35
4313970225narration (narratio)Provides factual information and background material on the subject at hand or establishes why the subject is a problem that needs addressing.36
4313970226confirmation (confirmatio)Usually the major part of the text, the confirmation includes the proof needed to make the writer's case.37
4313970227refutation (refutatio)Addresses the counterargument. It is a bridge between the writer's proof and conclusion.38
4313970228conclusion (peroratio)Brings the essay to a satisfying close.39
4313970230deductionA logical process whereby one reaches a conclusion by starting with a general principle or universal truth (a major premise) and applying it to a specific case (a minor premise). The process of deduction is usually demonstrated in the form of a syllogism.40
4313970231either/or (false dilemma)A fallacy in which the speaker presents two extreme options as the only possible choices.41
4313970233first-hand evidenceEvidence based on something the writer knows, whether it's from personal experience, observations, or general knowledge of events.42
4313970235inductionA method of reasoning by which a rhetor collects a number of instances and forms a generalization that is meant to apply to all instances.43
4313970239qualifierWords like usually, probably, maybe, in most cases, and most likely that are used to temper claims a bit, making them less absolute.44
4313970241rebuttalrefutation; opposing response to an argument45
4313970242reservationAn unstated doubt that prevents you from accepting something wholeheartedly.46
4313970243Rogerian argumentsDeveloped by psychiatrist Carl Rogers, these are based on the assumption that fully understanding an opposing position is essential to responding to it persuasively and refuting it in a way that is accommodating rather than alienating.47
4313970244second-hand evidenceEvidence that is accessed through research, reading, and investigation. It includes factual and historical information, expert opinion, and quantitative data.48
4313970245straw manA fallacy that occurs when a speaker chooses a deliberately poor or oversimplified example in order to ridicule and refute an idea.49
4313970246syllogismA form of reasoning in which two statements are made and a conclusion is drawn from them. A syllogism is the format of a formal argument that consists of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.50
4313970247Toulmin modelAn approach to analyzing and constructing arguments created by British philosphopher Stephen T in his book the Uses of Argument; "Because (evidence as support), therefore (claim), since (warrant or assumption), on account of its waterproof material, unless, of course, there is a hole in it."51
4313970248warrantThe warrant expresses the assumption necessarily shared by the speaker and the audience.52
4313970249personificationA figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions.53
4313970250oxymoronA figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.54
4313970251allusionA reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art.55
4313970252pathosAppeal to emotion; Achieved by evoking feelings like sympathy, anger, pity, or compassion.56
4313970253ethosAppeal to an audience's sense of morality/trust or ethics; Achieved by projecting an image of credibility which supports the speaker's position57
4313970254logosAppeal to an audience's sense of intellect or logic; Achieved by providing valid and relevant facts which support the speaker's position58
4313970255asyndetonCommas used (with no conjunction) to separate a series of words. The parts are emphasized equally when the conjunction is omitted; in addition, the use of commas with no intervening conjunction speeds up the flow of the sentence. Asyndeton takes the form of X, Y, Z as opposed to X, Y and Z59
4313970256anaphoraA rhetorical figure of repetition in which the same word or phrase is repeated in (and usually at the beginning of) successive lines, clauses, or sentences.60
4313970257antimetaboleFigure of emphasis in which the words in one phrase or clause are replicated, exactly or closely, in reverse grammatical order in the next phrase or clause; a chiasmus on the level of words (A-B, B-A). For example, "And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country" (JFK).61
4313970258alliterationRepetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words or stressed syllables; it is used to emphasize meaning or to improve flow through rhythm.62
4313970259connotationAn implied meaning of the word.63
4313970260denotationA literal meaning or dictionary definition of a word.64
4313970261hyperboleA figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor65
4313970263zeugmaThe use of a word to modify or govern two or more words although its use may be grammatically or logically correct with only one.66
4313970264ad hominemAn argument based on the failings of an adversary rather than on the merits of the case; a logical fallacy that involves a personal attack.67
4313970265red herringAn argument that distracts the reader by raising issues irrelevant to the case. It is like being given too many suspects in a murder mystery.68
4313970266hasty generalizationA fallacy that presents a generalization that is either not supported with evidence or is supported with only weak evidence.69
4313970267circular reasoningA fallacy in which the writer repeats the claim as a way to provide evidence.70
4313970268anecdoteA brief narrative that focuses on a particular incident or event.71
4313970269bandwagon appealA claim that a listener should accept an argument because of how many other people have already accepted it.72
4313970270post hoc ergo propter hocThis fallacy is Latin for "after which therefore because of which," meaning that it is incorrect to always claim that something is a cause just because it happened earlier. One may loosely summarize this fallacy by saying that correlation does not imply causation.73
4313970271claim of factA claim that asserts something exists, has existed, or will exist, based on data that the audience will accept as objectively verifiable.74
4313970272claim of policyA claim asserting that specific courses of action should be instituted as solutions to problems.75
4313970273claimAn assertion or a proposition that states the argument's main idea or position.76
4313970274faulty analogyAn illogical, misleading comparison between two things.77
4313970275straw man fallacyThis fallacy involves changing or exaggerating an opponent's position or argument to make it easier to refute.78
4313970276either/or fallacyA statement that identifies two alternatives and falsely suggests that if one is rejected, the other must be accepted79
4313970277second hand evidenceEvidence accessed through research, reading, and investigation. (Facts and quantitative data).80
4313970278first hand evidenceEvidence based on something the writer knows, whether its from personal experience, observations, or general knowledge of events.81
4313970279appeal to false authorityThis fallacy occurs when someone who has no expertise to speak on an issue is cited as an authority.82
4313970280logical fallacyAn error in reasoning that renders an argument invalid. Generally occurs in arguments that fail to make concrete, logical claims for support.83
4313970281quantitative evidenceEvidence that can be measured, cited, counted, or otherwise represented in numbers (surveys, census information, polls, statistics, etc.)84
4313970282open thesisA statement of the main idea of the argument that does not list all the points the writer intends to cover.85
4313970283counterargument thesisA summary of the counterargument usually qualified by although or but precedes the writer's opinion. This type of thesis statement has the advantage of immediately addressing the counterargument.86
4313970284thesisIn an argument, an expression of the claim that the writer or speaker is trying to support. In an essay, an expression of the main idea or purpose of the piece of writing.87
4313970285closed thesisA statement of the main idea of the argument that also previews the major points the writer intends to make.88
4313970286claim of valueA claim maintaining that something is good or bad, beneficial or detrimental, or another evaluative criterion.89

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