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AP Language Flashcards

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7368192533AudienceThe listener, viewer, or reader of a text. Most texts are likely to have multiple audiences0
7368192534ConcessionAn acknowledgement that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable. In a strong argument, a concession is usually accompanied by a refutation challenging the validity of the opposing argument1
7368195565ConnotationMeanings or associations that readers have with a word beyond its dictionary definition or denotation. Connotations are usually positive or negative, and they can greatly affect the authors tone. Consider the connotations of the words below, all of which mean "overweight". The cat is plump, fat, obese2
7368195566ContextThe circumstances, atmosphere, attitude and events surrounding a text3
7368198432CounterargumentAn opposing argument to the one a writer is putting forward. Rather than ignoring a counterargument, a strong writer will usually address it through the process of concession and refutation4
7368201643EthosGreek for "character". Speakers appeal to ethos to demonstrate that they are credible and trustworthy to speak on a given topic. Ethos is established by both who you are and what you say5
7368201644LogosGreek for "embodied thought". Speakers appeal to logos or reason, by offering clear, rational ideas and using specific details, examples, facts, statistics, or expert testimony to back them up6
7368205338OccasionThe time and place a speech is given or a piece is written7
7368208113PathosGreek for "suffering" or "experience". Speakers appeal to pathos to emotionally motivate their audience. More specific appeals to pathos might play on the audiences values, desires and hopes, on the one hand, or fears and prejudices on the other.8
7368208114PersonaGreek for "mask". The face or character a speaker shows to his or her audience9
7368210069PolemicGreek for "hostile". An aggressive argument that tries to establish the superiority of one opinion over all others. Polemics generally do not concede that opposing opinions have any merit.10
7368210070PropagandaThe spread of ideas and information to further a cause. In its negative sense, propaganda is the use of rumors, lies, disinformation, and scare tactics in order to damage or promote a cause11
7368212614PurposeThe goal the speaker wants to achieve12
7368214777RefutationA denial of the validity of an opposing argument. In order to sound reasonable, refutations often follow a concession that acknowledges that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable13
7368214778RhetoricAs Aristotle defined the term, "the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion". in other words, it is the art of finding ways to persuade an audience14
7368217241Rhetorical 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)15
7368223739Rhetorical triangle(Aristotelian Triangle)A diagram that illustrates the interrelationship among the speaker, audience, and subject in determining a text16
7368223740SOAPSA mnemonic device that stands for Subject, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, and Speaker. It is a handy way to remember the various elements that make up a rhetorical situation17
7368223741SpeakerThe person or group who creates a text. This might be a politician who delivers a speech, a commentor who writes an article, an artist who draws a political cartoon18
7368226122SubjectThe topic of a text. What the text is about19
7368226123TextWhile this term generally means the written word, in the humanities it has come to mean any cultural product that can be "read"- meaning not just consumed and comprehended, but investigated. This includes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, political cartoons, fine art photography, performances, fashion, cultural trends.20

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