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

AP Language/Argumentation Flashcards

Terms for early discussion for AP Language--including Thank You for Arguing

Terms : Hide Images
4852340563accismusthe figure of coyness ("Oh, you shouldn't have.")0
4852340564anaphorarepetition of a word or phrase as the beginning of successive clauses1
4852340565anthropomorphism-logical fallacy, the representation of objects (especially a god) as having human form or traits2
4852340566aporiaexpression of doubt (often feigned) by which a speaker appears uncertain as to what he should think, say, or do.3
4852340567begging the questionOften called circular reasoning, __ occurs when the believability of the evidence depends on the believability of the claim.4
4852340568circumlocutiontalk around an issue to avoid getting to the point5
4852340569concessioconcession, the jujitsu figure. you seem to agree with your opppnent but only use it to your advantage6
4852340570deliberative rhetoricOne of three types of rhetoric (the other two are legal and demonstrative). Deliberative rhetoric deals with argument about choices. It concerns itself with matters that affect thefuture. Without deliberative rhetoric, we wouldn't have democracy.7
4852340571demonstrative rhetoricAlso called epideictic, the speech of sermons, funeral orations and national anthems. It uses the present tense and its chief topic is values. Aristotle named it one of the three kinds of rhetoric, the other two being forensic (legal) and deliberative (political).8
4852340572dialysisThe this-not-that Figure. "Dont buy the shoes. Buy the colors." People take wisdom more seriously if you put it cryptically; it's the idiot savant approach.9
4852340573disinterestlack of bias or involvement; impartiality; (ed) uninvolved; free from self-interest10
4852340574dubitatiofeigned doubt about your ability to speak well11
4852340575ethosan appeal based on the character/reputation/ credibility of the speaker.12
4852340576forensic (legal) rhetoricArgument that determines guilt or innocence. It focuses on the past.13
4852340577hypophoraa figure that asks a rhetorical question and then immediatly answering it.14
4852340578idiominseparable words with a single meaning. often mistaken for figures in general, the idiom is merely a kind of figure.15
4852340579kairothe rhetorical art of seizing the occasion. it covers both timing and the appropriate medium16
4852340580logosargument by logic, one of three "appeals"17
4852340581post hoc ergo propter hocthe Chanticleer fallacy. A follow B; therefore. A caused B ("My crowning makes the sun come up.")18
4852340582prolepsis (procatalepsis)anticipating and answering objections in advance19
4852340583red herringthe fallacy of distraction20
4852340584reductio ad absudrumtaking an opponents argument to its illogical conclusion. A fallacy in formal logic21
4852340585slippery slopethe fallacy of dire consequences. it assumes that one choice will neccessarily lead to a cascading series of bad choices22
4852340586straw man fallacyinstead of dealing with the actual issue, it attacks a weaker version of argument23
4852340587syncrisisa figure that reframes an argument by redefining it. "Not manipulation. Instruction."24
4852340588Ad hominemConsists of replying to an argument or factual claim by attacking or appealing to a characterist or belif of the person making the argument or claim, rather than by addressing the substance of the argument or producing evidence against the claim25
4852340589anadiplosisA rhetorical figure of speech in which a word or phrase from the end of a sentence or clause is repeated at the begginging of the next sentence or clause. More generally it refers to rhetorical repetition for emphisis26
4852340590Personificationassigning human qualities to inanimate objects or concepts. Wordsworth's "the sea that bares her bosom to the moon."27
4852340591Antithesisthe presentation of two contrasting ideas. The ideas are balanced by phrase, clause, or paragraphs. "To be or not to be . . ." "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times . . ." "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country . . ."28
4852340592Oxymorona figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms. "jumbo shrimp" and "cruel kindness."29
4852340593Sarcasmbitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something. It may use verbal irony as a device.30
4852340594Synecdochename of a part as representative of the whole. "All hands on deck"31
4852340595Hyperboledeliberate exaggeration or overstatement32
4852340596MetonymyA type of metaphor in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it; one thing is represented by another that is commonly and closely associated with it. "The White House declared," from the Greek meaning "changed label" or "substitute name" "the Crown" aka the monarchy, "the oval office" aka the president "lend me your ears" Tricky one... not synecdoche33
4852340597ParadoxA statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."34
4852340598Onomatopoeiaa figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words. Simple examples include such words as buzz, hiss, hum.35
4852340599Metaphora comparison of two unlike things, not using like or as. "Your eyes are stars"36
4852340600SymbolAnything that represents, stands for, something else. Usually concrete—such as an object, action, character, or scene—that represents something more abstract.37
4852340601Invectivean emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.38
4852340602Euphemisma more acceptable and usually more pleasant way of saying something that might be inappropriate or uncomfortable. "He went to his final reward" for "he died."39
4852340603SatireA work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and convention for reform or ridicule.40
4852340604AlliterationThe repetition of sounds at the beginning of words, such as "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."41
4852340605Pathosan appeal based on emotion.42
4852340606Syllogisma deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion. A=B, B=C, so A=C. "All men are mortal; Socrates is a man; therefore, Socrates is mortal."43
4852340607AnecdoteA story or brief episode told by the writer or a character to illustrate a point.44
4852340608Denotationthe literal or dictionary meaning of a word45
4852340609Connotationthe feelings or emotions surrounding/associated with a word, beyond its literal meaning. Generally positive or negative in nature.46
4852340610RepetitionThe duplication, either exact or approximate, or any element of language, such as sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern.47
4852340611VoiceTwo definitions/uses. One refers to the total "sound" of the writer's style.The second refers to the relationship between a sentence's subject and verb (active and passive).48
4852340612Parallelismsimilarity in structure and syntax in a series of related words, phrases, clauses, sentences, or paragraphs that develops balance. Ex. "When you are right, you cannot be too radical; when you are wrong, you cannot be too conservative"- MLK49
4852340613AnalogyDrawing a comparison to show a similarity in some respect. It is assumed that what applies to a parallel situation also applies to the original circumstance.50
4852340614Rhetoricthe techniques and rules for using language effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.51
4852340615Antecedentthe word, phrase, or clause that a pronoun refers to.52
4852340616ThesisThe sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or proposition.53
4852340617AsyndetonCommas used (with no conjunction) to separate a series of words, speeds up flow of sentence. X, Y, Z as opposed to X, Y, and Z.54
4852340618Point of ViewWho tells a story and how it is told. (1st, 2nd, 3rd limited, 3rd omniscient)55
4852340619Deductive reasoningreasoning from the general to the particular (or from cause to effect). "People suck, so you probably suck too."56
4852340620Dictionthe author's choice of words that creates tone, attitude, and style, as well as meaning57
4852340621Apostrophewhen a speaker address someone/something that isn't there. Ex. "Are you there God? It's me, Mr. Ginley."58
4852340622Extended MetaphorA metaphor that continues beyond it's initial use, often developed at great length, occurring frequently throughout a work.59
4852340623Clichean overused saying or idea60
4852340624PolysyndetonDeliberate use of many conjunctions in close succession, especially where some might be omitted. Hemingway and the Bible both use extensively. Ex. "he ran and jumped and laughed for joy"61
4852340625Inductive reasoningreasoning from detailed facts to general principles. Ex. "All of the ice we have examined so far is cold.Therefore, all ice is cold."62
4852340626Imagerywords that create mental pictures63
4852340627Similea comparison using like or as64
4852340628Motifpattern; repeated image, symbol, idea65
4852340629Puna play on words that are identical or similar in sounds but differ in meaning66
4852340630Ambiguitydeliberately unclear, having multiple meanings67
4852340631Chiasmusis antimetabole... a statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is reversed ("Susan walked, and in rushed Mary.")68
4852340632Rhetorical Questiona question that does not expect an explicit answer69
4852340633Juxtapositionwords, phrases, ideas placed side by side for effect70
4852340634Non Sequituran inference that does not follow logically from the premise (literally, does not follow)71
4852340635Logical Fallacya mistake in reasoning72
4852340636Abstractrefers to language that describes concepts rather than concrete images ( ideas and qualities rather than observable or specific things, people, or places). The observable or "physical" is usually described in concrete language.73
4852340637Allegoryan extended narrative in prose or verse in which characters, events, and settings represent abstract qualities and in which the writer intends a second meaning to be read beneath the surface of the story; the underlying meaning may be moral, religious, political, social, or satiric. Examples: John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress (Temptations of Christians) , Orwell's Animal Farm (Russian Revolution), and Arthur Miller's Crucible ("Red Scare")74
4852340638Allusiona reference to a well-known person, place, or thing from literature, history, etc. Example: Eden, Scrooge, Prodigal Son, Catch-22, Judas, Don Quixote, Mother Theresa75
4852340639Aphorisma short, often witty statement of a principle or a truth about life. Examples: "Early bird gets the worm." "What goes around, comes around.." "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."76
4852340640Assonancerepetition of vowel sounds between different consonants, such as in neigh/fade,77
4852340641Cacophonyharsh, awkward, or dissonant sounds used deliberately in poetry or prose; the opposite of euphony.78
4852340642Consonancerepetition of identical consonant sounds within two or more words in close proximity, as in boost/best; it can also be seen within several compound words, such as fulfill and ping-pong79
4852340643Epistropherepetition of a word or expression at the end of successive phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses especially for rhetorical or poetic effect (as Lincoln's "of the people, by the people, for the people") Compare to anaphora. Ex: "When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child." (Corinthians) Ex: I'll have my bond!/ Speak not against my bond!/ I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond.---The Merchant of Venice80
4852340644Euphonya succession of harmonious sounds used in poetry or prose; the opposite of cacophony81
4852340645False AnalogyWhen two cases are not sufficiently parallel to lead readers to accept a claim of connection between them.82
4852340646OversimplificationWhen a writer obscures or denies the complexity of the issues in an argument83
4852340647Syntaxthe grammatical structure of a sentence; the arrangement of words in a sentence. It includes length of sentence, kinds of sentences (questions, exclamations, declarative sentences, rhetorical questions, simple, complex, or compound).84
4852340648Tonethe characteristic emotion or attitude of an author toward the characters, subject, and audience (anger, sarcastic, loving, didactic, emotional, etc.)85
4852340649Transitiona word or phrase that links one idea to the next and carries the reader from sentence to sentence, paragraph to paragraph.86
4852340650EllipsesIndicated by a series of three periods; shows that words have been omitted87
4852340651Either-or reasoningWhen the writer reduces an argument or issue to two polar opposites and ignores any alternatives.88
4852340652Stylean evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices.89
4852340653Parenthetical ideaAn idea that is set off from the rest of the sentence.90
4852340654LitotesA particular form of understatement, generated by denying the opposite of the statement which otherwise would be used.91
4852340655AnastropheDeparture from normal word order. "Faults, no one lives without."92
4852340656AntimetaboleReversing the order of repeated words of phrases (a loosely chiastic structure, AB-BA) to intensify the final formulation, to present alternatives, or to show contrast. "As not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."93
4852340657AntiphrasisOne-word irony, established by context. "Come here, Tiny," he said to the fat man.94
4852340658AppositiveA noun or noun substitute placed next to (in apposition to) another noun to be described or defined by the appositive. The appositive can be placed before or after the noun.95
4852340659ClimaxArranging words, clauses, or sentences in the order of increasing importance, weight, or emphasis. Parallelism usually forms a part of the arrangement because it offers a sense of continuity, order and movement up the latter of importance.96
4852340660EpanalepsisRepetition of the beginning word of a clasue or sentence at the end.97
4852340661Hasty GeneralizationLeaping to a generalization from inadequate or faulty evidence.98
4852340662Argument from doubtful authority"According to reliable sources, my opponent is lying."99

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!