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AP Language Rhetorical Terms Flashcards

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9947143161abstractRefers to language that describes concepts rather than concrete images0
9947143162allusionA 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
9947143163analogyA 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
9947143164anecdoteis 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
9947143165antecedentThe 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
9947143166antithesisis the balancing of one idea or term against another for emphasis5
9947143167assumptionin 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
9947143168colloquial languageSlang or common language that is informal7
9947143169connotationAn idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning, "shades of meaning"8
9947143170deductive 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
9947143171denotationThe dictionary definition of a word10
9947143172dictionthe 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
9947143173editorializingTo include personal opinions in a supposedly objective stories12
9947143174episodicrelates to the variety of narrative writing that develops through a series of incidents or events.13
9947143175fallacyan 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
9947143176generalizationis a broad idea or statement. All generalizations require particulars and illustrations to support them.15
9947143177genrea type or form of literature - for example, short fiction, novel, poetry, essay, letter, editorial, speech, etc.16
9947143178hyperboleA figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor17
9947143179hypothesisA supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.18
9947143180hypotheticbased on an assumption or guess; used as a provisional or tentative idea to guide or direct investigation19
9947143181imageryis clear, vivid description that appeals to the sense of sight, smell, touch, sound, or taste.20
9947143182inferenceA conclusion reached on the basis of (text) evidence and reasoning21
9947143183interrogative sentencesA sentence that asks a question22
9947143184ironythe 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
9947143185jargonspecial 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
9947143186juxtapositionthe placement of two things being close together (side by side) with contrasting effect25
9947143187logosAn 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
9947143188ethosan 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
9947143189pathosAn 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
9947143190loaded wordsWords that are emotionally charged--either positively or negatively.29
9947143191metaphorA figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.30
9947143192moodthe creation of atmosphere in writing31
9947143193non sequiturA statement that does not follow logically from evidence32
9947143194subjective/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
9947143195paradoxA statement that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.34
9947143196parallelismParallelism is the use of components in a sentence that are grammatically the same; or similar in their construction, sound, meaning or meter.35
9947143197purposeis what the writer wants to accomplish in an essay.36
9947143198refutationin 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
9947143199rhetoricis the art of using words effectively in speaking or writing.38
9947143200rhetorical questionis a question asked only to emphasize a point, introduce a topic, or provoke thought, but not to elicit an answer.39
9947143201satireA humorous literary work that criticizes human misconduct and ridicules vices, stupidities, and follies.40
9947143202styleis 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
9947143203symbolis something - normally a concrete image - that exists in itself but also stands for something else or has a greater meaning.42
9947143204toneis 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
9947143205transitionis the linking of ideas in sentences, paragraphs, and larger segments of an essay in order to achieve coherence.44
9947143206understatementa method of making a weaker statement than is warranted by truth, accuracy, or importance.45
9947143207voiceis 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
9947143208syntaxThe arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.47
9947143209warrantto give adequate reasons/justification for a claim48
9947143210qualifyto limit, modify, or restrict a claim in order to clarify its' validity49

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