AP Notes, Outlines, Study Guides, Vocabulary, Practice Exams and more!

AP Language Rhetorical Terms Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
9527496089allusionA 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.0
9527496090analogyA 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.1
9527496091anecdoteis 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.2
9527496092antecedentThe 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.3
9527496093antithesisis the balancing of one idea or term against another for emphasis4
9527496094assumptionin 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)5
9527496095colloquial languageSlang or common language that is informal6
9527496096connotationAn idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning, "shades of meaning"7
9527496097deductive 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.)8
9527496098denotationThe dictionary definition of a word9
9527496099dictionthe 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.10
9527496100editorializingTo include personal opinions in a supposedly objective stories11
9527496101episodicrelates to the variety of narrative writing that develops through a series of incidents or events.12
9527496102fallacyan 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 proposition13
9527496103generalizationis a broad idea or statement. All generalizations require particulars and illustrations to support them.14
9527496104genrea type or form of literature - for example, short fiction, novel, poetry, essay, letter, editorial, speech, etc.15
9527496105hyperboleA figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor16
9527496106hypothesisA supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.17
9527496107hypotheticbased on an assumption or guess; used as a provisional or tentative idea to guide or direct investigation18
9527496108imageryis clear, vivid description that appeals to the sense of sight, smell, touch, sound, or taste.19
9527496109inferenceA conclusion reached on the basis of (text) evidence and reasoning20
9527496110interrogative sentencesA sentence that asks a question21
9527496111ironythe 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.22
9527496112jargonspecial 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.23
9527496113juxtapositionthe placement of two things being close together (side by side) with contrasting effect24
9527496114logosAn 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.25
9527496115ethosan 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.26
9527496116pathosAn 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.27
9527496117loaded wordsWords that are emotionally charged--either positively or negatively.28
9527496118metaphorA figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.29
9527496119moodthe creation of atmosphere in writing30
9527496120non sequiturA statement that does not follow logically from evidence31
9527496121subjective/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.32
9527496122paradoxA statement that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.33
9527496123parallelismParallelism is the use of components in a sentence that are grammatically the same; or similar in their construction, sound, meaning or meter.34
9527496124purposeis what the writer wants to accomplish in an essay.35
9527496125refutationin 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.36
9527496126rhetoricis the art of using words effectively in speaking or writing.37
9527496127rhetorical questionis a question asked only to emphasize a point, introduce a topic, or provoke thought, but not to elicit an answer.38
9527496128satireA humorous literary work that criticizes human misconduct and ridicules vices, stupidities, and follies.39
9527496129styleis 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.40
9527496130symbolis something - normally a concrete image - that exists in itself but also stands for something else or has a greater meaning.41
9527496131toneis 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.42
9527496132transitionis the linking of ideas in sentences, paragraphs, and larger segments of an essay in order to achieve coherence.43
9527496133understatementa method of making a weaker statement than is warranted by truth, accuracy, or importance.44
9527496134voiceis 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.45
9527496135syntaxThe arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.46
9527496136warrantto give adequate reasons/justification for a claim47
9527496137qualifyto limit, modify, or restrict a claim in order to clarify its' validity48

Need Help?

We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.

If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.

Need Notes?

While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!