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AP Language Rhetorical Terms Flashcards

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10246819235abstractRefers to language that describes concepts rather than concrete images0
10246819236allusionA direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. Allusions can be historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical. There are many more possibilities, and a work may simultaneously use multiple layers of allusion.1
10246819237analogyA similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. An analogy can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with or pointing out its similarity to something more familiar. Analogies can also make writing more vivid, imaginative, or intellectually engaging.2
10246819238anecdoteis a brief, engaging account of some happening, often historical, biographical, or personal. As a technique in writing, anecdote is especially, effective in creating interesting essay introductions, and also an illuminating abstract concepts in the body of the essay.3
10246819239antecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. The AP language exam occasionally asks for the antecedent of a given pronoun in a long, complex sentence or in a group of sentences.4
10246819240antithesisis the balancing of one idea or term against another for emphasis5
10246819241assumptionin argumentation is anything taken for granted or presumed to be accepted by the audience and therefore understated. This can be dangerous because the audience might not accept the idea implicit in them (circular reasoning, begging the question)6
10246819242colloquial languageSlang or common language that is informal7
10246819243connotationAn idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning, "shades of meaning"8
10246819244deductive reasoningreasoning in which a conclusion is reached by stating a general principle and then applying that principle to a specific case (The sun rises every morning; therefore, the sun will rise on Tuesday morning.)9
10246819245denotationThe dictionary definition of a word10
10246819246dictionthe manner of expression in words, choice of words, or wording. Writers must choose vocabulary carefully and precisely to communicate a message and also to address an intended audience effectively.11
10246819247editorializingTo include personal opinions in a supposedly objective stories12
10246819248episodicrelates to the variety of narrative writing that develops through a series of incidents or events.13
10246819249fallacyan error in logic or in the reasoning process. Fallacies occur because of vague development of ideas, lack of awareness of the speaker, or faulty assumptions about the proposition14
10246819250generalizationis a broad idea or statement. All generalizations require particulars and illustrations to support them.15
10246819251genrea type or form of literature - for example, short fiction, novel, poetry, essay, letter, editorial, speech, etc.16
10246819252hyperboleA figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor17
10246819253hypothesisA supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.18
10246819254hypotheticbased on an assumption or guess; used as a provisional or tentative idea to guide or direct investigation19
10246819255imageryis clear, vivid description that appeals to the sense of sight, smell, touch, sound, or taste.20
10246819256inferenceA conclusion reached on the basis of (text) evidence and reasoning21
10246819257interrogative sentencesA sentence that asks a question22
10246819258ironythe use of language to suggest the opposite of what is stated. Writers use it to reveal unpleasant or troublesome realities that exist in life or to poke fun at human weaknesses and foolish attitude.23
10246819259jargonspecial words associated with a specific area or knowledge or a particular profession. Writers who employ jargon either assume that readers know the specialized terms or take care to define terms for the benefit of the audience.24
10246819260juxtapositionthe placement of two things being close together (side by side) with contrasting effect25
10246819261logosAn appeal to reason. It occurs when a writer tries to convince you of the logic of his argument using facts and examples, and a generally rational tone to their language. The problem with logos is that is can appear reasonable until you dissect the argument and then find fallacies that defeat the viability of the argument on the reader's eyes. Of course, that presupposes that the readers is able to identify the fallacies.26
10246819262ethosan appeal to credibility. The writer is seeking to convince you that he or she has the background, history, skills, and/or expertise to speak on the issue.27
10246819263pathosAn appeal to emotion. Typically, pathos arguments may use loaded words to make you feel guilty, lonely, worried, insecure, or confused. The easiest way to remember whats pathos arguments are is to see most advertising as a form of pathos argument.28
10246819264loaded wordsWords that are emotionally charged--either positively or negatively.29
10246819265metaphorA figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.30
10246819266moodthe creation of atmosphere in writing31
10246819267non sequiturA statement that does not follow logically from evidence32
10246819268subjective/objectivewriting refers to the attitude that writers take toward their subject. When writers are objective, they try not to report their personal feelings about the subject; they attempt to be detached, impersonal and unbiased. Conversely, subjective writing reveals an author's personal attitudes and emotions.33
10246819269paradoxA statement that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.34
10246819270parallelismParallelism is the use of components in a sentence that are grammatically the same; or similar in their construction, sound, meaning or meter.35
10246819271purposeis what the writer wants to accomplish in an essay.36
10246819272refutationin argumentation is a method by which writers recognize and deal effectively with the arguments of their opponents. Their own argument will be stronger if they refute - prove false or weak - all opposing arguments.37
10246819273rhetoricis the art of using words effectively in speaking or writing.38
10246819274rhetorical questionis a question asked only to emphasize a point, introduce a topic, or provoke thought, but not to elicit an answer.39
10246819275satireA humorous literary work that criticizes human misconduct and ridicules vices, stupidities, and follies.40
10246819276styleis the specific or characteristic manner of expression, execution, construction, or design of a writer. As a manner or mode of expression of language, it is the unique way each writer handles ideas.41
10246819277symbolis something - normally a concrete image - that exists in itself but also stands for something else or has a greater meaning.42
10246819278toneis the writer's attitude toward his or her subject or material. A writer's tone may be objective, subjective, comic, ironic, nostalgic, critical, reflective, etc.43
10246819279transitionis the linking of ideas in sentences, paragraphs, and larger segments of an essay in order to achieve coherence.44
10246819280understatementa method of making a weaker statement than is warranted by truth, accuracy, or importance.45
10246819281voiceis the way you express your ideas to the reader, the tone you take in addressing your audience. Voice reflects your personality and attitude both towards the subject and your audience.46
10246819282syntaxThe arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.47
10246819283warrantto give adequate reasons/justification for a claim48
10246819284qualifyto limit, modify, or restrict a claim in order to clarify its' validity49

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