AP Language Terms Flashcards

9180888896	Analogy	Explaining something complex by comparing it to something more simple.	0
9180892574	Argument	The combination of reasons, evidence, etc that an author uses to convince an audience of their point	1
9180910769	Aristotelian/Rhetorical Appeals	Three different methods of appealing to an audience to convince them: logos, ethos, and pathos.	2
9180925395	Attitude	The writer's personal views or feelings about the subjects at hand.	3
9180933836	Compare and Contrast	Discussing the similarities and differences between two things to some persuasive or illustrative purpose.	4
9180955783	Connotation	The implied meaning of a word. Could be broadly negative, positive or neutral.	5
9180977962	Context	The extra-textual environment in which the text is being delivered.	6
9180993005	Counterargument	The argument against the author's position.	7
9180999206	Deductive Reasoning	A form of logical reasoning wherein a general principle is applied to a specific case.	8
9181403677	Denotation	The literal, dictionary-definition meaning of a word.	9
9181412368	Diction	The style of language used; generally tailored to be appropriate to the audience and situation.	10
9181421474	Ethos	Setting up a source as credible and trustworthy.	11
9181423846	Evidence	The information presented meant to persuade the audience of the author's position.	12
9181431540	Figurative Language	The use of language in a non-literal way; i.e. metaphor, simile, etc.	13
9181440016	Genre	The specific type of work being presented.	14
9181445525	Imagery	Any descriptive language used to evoke a vivid sense or image of something; includes figurative language.	15
9181453964	Implication	When something is suggested without being concretely stated.	16
9181461083	Inductive Reasoning	Making a generalization based on specific evidence at hand.	17
9181467156	Irony	At the most basic sense, saying the opposite of what you mean; also used to describe the situations in which the results of an act are dramatically different than intended.	18
9181480625	Juxtaposition	Placing two very different things together for effect.	19
9181489867	Logos	Appealing to someone's sense of concrete facts and logic.	20
9181495017	Occasion	The reason or moment for writing and speaking.	21
9181500565	Organization	How the different parts of an argument are arranged in a piece of writing or speech.	22
9181515105	Pathos	Appeal to someone's emotion.	23
9181529532	Purpose	The author's persuasive intention.	24
9181532712	Repetition	Re-using a word or phase multiple times for emphasis or effect.	25
9181545387	Rhetoric	The use of spoken or written word (or a visual medium) to convey your ideas and convince an audience.	26
9181561126	Rhetorical Triangle	The relationship between the author, the audience, the text/message and the context.	27
9181612479	Speaker	The persona adopted by the author to deliver his or her message; may or may not actually be the same person as the author.	28
9181625006	Style	The author's own personal approach to rhetoric in the piece; similar to voice.	29
9181637453	Symbolism	Using a symbol to refer to an idea or concept.	30
9181651282	Syntax	The way sentences are grammatically constructed.	31
9181653393	Synthesis	Combining sources or ideas in a coherent way in the purpose of a larger point..	32
9181660999	Themes	Overarching ideas or driving premises of work.	33
9181665950	Tone	The use of stylistic devices to reveal an author's attitude toward a subject.	34
9181674972	Voice	An author's unique sound. Similar to style.	35
9181682652	Alliteration	Using words with the same first letter repeatedly close together in a phrase or sentence.	36
9181690330	Allusion	Making a brief reference to the cultural canon e.g. the Bible, classical mythology, Shakespeare etc.	37
9181700995	Anecdote	Offering a brief narrative episode.	38
9181896550	Audience	Who the author is directing his/her message to.	39
9181712148	Concession	Agreeing with the opposing viewpoint on a certain smaller point (but not in a larger argument).	40
9181721166	Didactic	A text with an instructive purpose, often moral.	41
9181728046	Euphemism	Referring to something with a veiled phrase instead of saying it directly.	42
9181746713	Exemplification	Providing examples in service of a point.	43
9181749345	Hyperbole	Overstating a situation for humorous or dramatic effect.	44
9181755697	Idiom	A commonly used phrase that signifies something very different than its literal meaning e.g. at the drop of a hat.	45
9181785341	Onomatopoeia	Using word that sounds the same as its meaning e.g. crackle.	46
9181802691	Paradox	A phrase or assertion that appears to contradict itself (but the contradiction itself may have its own meeting).	47
9181826416	Parallelism	Repeated structural elements in a sentence.	48
9181926303	Parody	Using the form of something to mimic and make fun of it.	49
9181818914	Personification	Giving human characteristics to a nonhuman subject or idea.	50
9181835341	Sarcasm	Mockingly stating the opposite of what you mean. Easier to convey in the spoken word than via writing.	51
9181848199	Satire	A genre of humorous or mocking criticism to expose the ignorance and/or ills of society.	52
9181859573	Synecdoche	Referring to one part of something as a way to refer to the whole.	53
9181871120	Understatement	Deliberately minimizing something usually for humorous effect.	54