Ap Lingo 1-2

SITUATIONAL IRONY

when what occurs is the opposite of (or very different) from what is logically expected to happen.

VERBAL IRONY

a speaker makes a statement and intends for the listener(s) to know that he/she means the opposite.

Dramatic Irony

when we, the audience, know/have been given more information than one or more of the characters.

ANECDOTE

a brief recounting of a personal experience or very short story, often given to exemplify an argument.

ANALOGY

a technique in which two unrelated/different objects/things are compared for their shared qualities.

Purpose of ANALOGY

to make logical arguments by showing connections and comparisons between dissimilar things.

Use of ANALOGY

often useful to help a reader understand an abstract and difficult idea/concept.

APHORISM

a terse statement, often one sentence, that expresses a general truth or moral principle, and sometimes in a witty-wisdom-bumper-sticker kind of way.

PARADOX/PARADOXICAL

a statement with seemingly contradictory ideas that can actually be true.

OXYMORON

a figure of speech in which two contradictory words are juxtaposed (placed back-to-back).

IMAGERY

vivid descriptive language that appeals to one or more of the senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste).

TONE

the ATTITUDE the writer/speaker takes towards a specific subject.

ANAPHORA

A figure of speech in which words repeat at the beginning of successive clauses, phrases, or sentences, often to link or contrast ideas and create a rhythmic quality.

ETYMOLOGY

The study of the history and definitions of words, focusing on a word's origin, roots, and changes in spelling and meaning over time.

COORDINATION

The act of connecting two ideas of equal weight and importance, often using coordinating conjunctions.

FANBOYS

A mnemonic for coordinating conjunctions: FOR, AND, NOR, BUT, OR, YET, SO.

Transition Words

Words used in coordination to connect ideas, also known as conjunctive adverbs.

Example of Transition Words

Kickbox Juggling is a tricky workout; HOWEVER, I still make a plan to do it three times a week.

SUBORDINATION

The act of identifying one idea as less important than another, often using subordinators.

Common Subordinators

Words like although, even though, whereas, while, since, because, if, unless, after, as soon as, before, whenever, when, until.

Subordinate Clauses

Clauses that convey the relationship between ideas, often starting with subordinators and offset with a comma when they begin a sentence.

Example of Subordination

ALTHOUGH I love pizza, I don't like pineapples as a topping.

Comma Usage with Subordinate Clauses

A comma is needed when the subordinate clause starts a sentence, but not when it ends the sentence.

Example of Comma Usage

BECAUSE I was really hungry, I snacked on Doritos during class. (Comma Needed)

DICTION

word choice, particularly as an element of style.

COLLOQUIAL

language that is informal and conversational.

SLANG

informal words and phrases that are created among a small group of people or a specific subculture.

JARGON

technical terms used by people within a specific profession or trade.

DENOTATION

the literal dictionary definition(s) of a word, devoid of any emotion or attitude.

CONNOTATION

the associations and emotions suggested by a word.

Exigence

what causes an author to write or a speaker to speak in the first place. It's the event, the sense of urgency, the problem that requires attention right now, the argument that must be refuted, the situation that has arisen that prompts someone to create a rhetorical message for an audience.

Concession

accepting or acknowledging at least part or all of an opposing position and/or acknowledging a weakness in our own argument. Speakers/writers often make a concession to build credibility and trust.

Qualifiers/To Qualify an Argument

words or phrases we add to put a healthy, reasonable limitation on our argument so as to avoid an absolute claim.

Absolutes/Absolute Statement

Absolutes are words free from limitations or qualifications, such as always, all, never, must, everyone, etc.

complicated vs. puzzling

Examples of words with similar denotative meanings but different connotations.

curious vs. nosy

Examples of words with similar denotative meanings but different connotations.

steadfast vs. endless

Examples of words with similar denotative meanings but different connotations.

police vs. cop

Examples of words with similar denotative meanings but different connotations.

assertive vs. domineering

Examples of words with similar denotative meanings but different connotations.

inexpensive vs. cheap

Examples of words with similar denotative meanings but different connotations.

energetic vs. hyperactive

Examples of words with similar denotative meanings but different connotations.

unique vs. weird

Examples of words with similar denotative meanings but different connotations.

Food fight in LTHS cafeteria

An example of exigence prompting a rhetorical message.

COVID pandemic

A situation that prompted many to create rhetorical messages.

Defense attorney's closing argument

An example of exigence where the prosecutor's arguments created the need for the speech.

Girlfriend's declaration for a break

An example of exigence prompting someone to make a grand speech.

John Oliver's concession

An example of acknowledging an opposing perspective regarding coal jobs.

Peer pressure at a party

An example of a concession made to build trust with a parent.

High-paying coal jobs

An example of a concession to acknowledge the impact of job loss.

Probability and possibility in arguments

The concept that academic argument is typically about, rather than certainty.

Examples of qualifiers

Words such as many, often, some, few, possibly, perhaps.

Link to Writing Center

A resource for excellent information about qualifiers.

Qualifiers

Terms that indicate the degree of certainty in an argument, often avoiding absolutes.

Conditional Statement

An if-then statement consisting of two parts—the 'IF' and the consequence or result that happens 'IF...'.

GENRE

The major category in which a written work fits, such as prose, poetry, and drama.

SATIRE

A work that employs techniques like irony and exaggeration to criticize elements of life, often humorously.

PARODY

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another for comic effect or ridicule.

EXPOSÉ

An article, book, or essay that brings a scandal or crime to public notice, disclosing previously unknown details.

EXPOSITION/EXPOSITORY

Writing or speech primarily intended to convey information or explain, rather than argue or persuade.

DIATRIBE

A speech or piece of writing that features a bitter or violent criticism or attack; a denunciation.

DIDACTIC

A term describing works that aim to instruct, especially in moral or ethical principles.

Example of Conditional Statement

If I eat too much Taco Bell, then I will throw up.

Example of GENRE

Prose can be categorized as fiction or nonfiction.

Example of SATIRE

Jonathan Swift's essay 'A Modest Proposal' critiques British attitudes towards impoverished Irish people.

Example of PARODY

Saturday Night Live sketches often parody commercials, TV shows, or movies.

Example of EXPOSÉ

John Carreyrou's book 'Bad Blood' exposed the lies of Theranos.

Example of EXPOSITION

Many newspaper stories attempt to communicate facts without bias.

Example of DIATRIBE

A tirade or harangue featuring violent criticism.

Example of DIDACTIC

A tone that instructs but may be perceived as preachy.

Subgenres of Nonfiction

Includes autobiography, biography, memoir, diaries, criticism, essays, literary nonfiction, and various types of writing.

Techniques of Satire

Irony, exaggeration, understatement, and contrast.

Effects of Didactic Writing

Can build credibility when avoiding an overly moralistic tone.

Critique of Didactic Tone

Using 'we' rather than 'you' to avoid scolding the audience.