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AP Language Rhetorical Terms Flashcards

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9879209770abstractRefers to language that describes concepts rather than concrete images0
9879209771allusionA 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
9879209772analogyA 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
9879209773anecdoteis 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
9879209774antecedentThe 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
9879209775antithesisis the balancing of one idea or term against another for emphasis5
9879209776assumptionin 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
9879209777colloquial languageSlang or common language that is informal7
9879209778connotationAn idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning, "shades of meaning"8
9879209779deductive 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
9879209780denotationThe dictionary definition of a word10
9879209781dictionthe 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
9879209782editorializingTo include personal opinions in a supposedly objective stories12
9879209783episodicrelates to the variety of narrative writing that develops through a series of incidents or events.13
9879209784fallacyan 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
9879209785generalizationis a broad idea or statement. All generalizations require particulars and illustrations to support them.15
9879209786genrea type or form of literature - for example, short fiction, novel, poetry, essay, letter, editorial, speech, etc.16
9879209787hyperboleA figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor17
9879209788hypothesisA supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.18
9879209789hypotheticbased on an assumption or guess; used as a provisional or tentative idea to guide or direct investigation19
9879209790imageryis clear, vivid description that appeals to the sense of sight, smell, touch, sound, or taste.20
9879209791inferenceA conclusion reached on the basis of (text) evidence and reasoning21
9879209792interrogative sentencesA sentence that asks a question22
9879209793ironythe 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
9879209794jargonspecial 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
9879209795juxtapositionthe placement of two things being close together (side by side) with contrasting effect25
9879209796logosAn 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
9879209797ethosan 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
9879209798pathosAn 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
9879209799loaded wordsWords that are emotionally charged--either positively or negatively.29
9879209800metaphorA figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.30
9879209801moodthe creation of atmosphere in writing31
9879209802non sequiturA statement that does not follow logically from evidence32
9879209803subjective/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
9879209804paradoxA statement that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.34
9879209805parallelismParallelism is the use of components in a sentence that are grammatically the same; or similar in their construction, sound, meaning or meter.35
9879209806purposeis what the writer wants to accomplish in an essay.36
9879209807refutationin 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
9879209808rhetoricis the art of using words effectively in speaking or writing.38
9879209809rhetorical questionis a question asked only to emphasize a point, introduce a topic, or provoke thought, but not to elicit an answer.39
9879209810satireA humorous literary work that criticizes human misconduct and ridicules vices, stupidities, and follies.40
9879209811styleis 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
9879209812symbolis something - normally a concrete image - that exists in itself but also stands for something else or has a greater meaning.42
9879209813toneis 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
9879209814transitionis the linking of ideas in sentences, paragraphs, and larger segments of an essay in order to achieve coherence.44
9879209815understatementa method of making a weaker statement than is warranted by truth, accuracy, or importance.45
9879209816voiceis 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
9879209817syntaxThe arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.47
9879209818warrantto give adequate reasons/justification for a claim48
9879209819qualifyto limit, modify, or restrict a claim in order to clarify its' validity49

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