AP Language and Composition Terms Flashcards

6940409136	Analogy	Explaining something complex by comparing it to something more simple.	0
6940410851	Argument	The combination of reasons, evidence, etc that an author uses to convince an audience of their position.	1
6940412262	Aristotelian appeals	Three different methods of appealing to an audience to convince them—ethos, logos, and pathos.	2
6940413444	Attitude	The writer's personal views or feelings about the subject at hand.	3
6940413445	Audience	Who the author is directing his or her message towards	4
6940437348	Compare and Contrast	Discussing the similarities and differences between two things to some persuasive or illustrative purpose.	5
6940438839	Connotation	The implied meaning of a word; words can broadly have positive, negative, or neutral connotations.	6
6940438840	Context	The extra-textual environment in which the text is being delivered.	7
6940455421	Counterargument	The argument(s) against the author's position.	8
6940456223	Deductive reasoning	A form of logical reasoning wherein a general principle is applied to a specific case.	9
6940478230	Denotation	The literal, dictionary-definition meaning of a word.	10
6940478231	Diction	The style of language used; generally tailored to be appropriate to the audience and situation.	11
6940481343	Ethos	Setting up a source as credible and trustworthy.	12
6940482851	Evidence	The information presented meant to persuade the audience of the author's position.	13
6940483811	Figurative language	The use of language in a non-literal way; i.e. metaphor, simile, etc.	14
6940485259	Genre	The specific type of work being presented.	15
6940520563	Imagery	Any descriptive language used to evoke a vivid sense or image of something; includes figurative language.	16
6940520564	Implication	When something is suggested without being concretely stated.	17
6940523027	Inductive reasoning	Making a generalization based on specific evidence at hand.	18
6940524174	Irony	At the most basic sense, saying the opposite of what you mean; also used to describe situations in which the results of an action are dramatically different than intended.	19
6940525638	Juxtaposition	Placing two very different things together for effect.	20
6940527844	Logos	Appealing to someone's sense of concrete facts and logic.	21
6940530691	Occasion	The reason or moment for writing or speaking.	22
6940534225	Organization	How the different parts of an argument are arranged in a piece of writing or speech.	23
6940550805	Pathos	An Aristotelian appeal. Involves appealing to someone's emotions.	24
6940555051	Purpose	The author's persuasive intention.	25
6940566056	Repetition	Re-using a word or phrase repeatedly for effect or emphasis.	26
6940568037	Rhetoric	The use of spoken or written word (or a visual medium) to convey your ideas and convince an audience.	27
6940569916	Rhetorical triangle	The relationship between the author, the audience, the text/message, and the context.	28
6940571776	Speaker	The persona adopted by the author to deliver his or her message	29
6940573141	Style	The author's own personal approach to rhetoric in the piece; similar to voice.	30
6940574323	Symbolism	Using a symbol to refer to an idea or message	31
6940576744	Syntax	The way sentences are grammatically constructed.	32
6940580168	Synthesis	Combining sources or ideas in a coherent way in the purpose of a larger point.	33
6940581443	Themes	Overarching ideas or driving premises of a work.	34
6940657491	Voice	An author's unique sound. Similar to style.	35
6940822752	Alliteration	Using words with the same first letter repeatedly close together in a phrase or sentence.	36
6940826249	Allusion	Making a brief reference to the cultural canon—e.g. the Bible, Shakespeare, classical mythology, etc	37
6940828458	Anecdote	Offering a brief narrative episode. This device can serve many functions in a text—for example, introducing an issue, serving as evidence, to illustrate a point, and so on.	38
6940830521	Concession	Agreeing with the opposing viewpoint on a certain smaller point (but not in the larger argument).	39
6940840561	Didactic	A text with an instructive purpose, often moral.	40
6940840562	Euphemism	Referring to something with a veiled phrase instead of saying it directly	41
6940842463	Exemplification	Providing examples in service of a point.	42
6940844263	Hyperbole	Overstating a situation for humorous or dramatic effect.	43
6940853964	Idiom	A commonly used phrase that signifies something very different than its literal meaning.	44
6940853965	Onomatopoeia	Using "sound-effect" words (e.g. "clap," "buzz).	45
6940855860	Paradox	A phrase or assertion that appears to contradict itself (but the contradiction itself may have its own meaning).	46
6940868279	Parallelism	Repeated structural elements in a sentence.	47
6940856580	Parody	Using the form of something to mimic and make fun of it	48
6940857424	Personification	Giving human characteristics to a nonhuman object or idea.	49
6940858515	Sarcasm	Mockingly stating the opposite of what you mean. Easier to convey in the spoken word than via writing.	50
6940875623	Satire	A genre of humorous and mocking criticism to expose the ignorance and/or ills of society.	51
6940877668	Synecdoche	Referring to one part of something as a way to refer to the whole	52
6940879529	Understatement	Deliberately minimizing something, usually for humorous effect.	53