AP Lang WOTD

Rhetoric

The art of using language effectively to reach a desired goal

Exigence

The specific issue, problem or urgent event that prompts a writer to create a text right now.

Ethos

Rhetorical appeal to character, credibility, and reputation.

Pathos

Rhetorical appeal to the emotion, values, and feelings.

Logos

Rhetorical appeal to logic, reason, and structured evidence.

Qualify

To limit or modify the meaning of.

Juxtaposition

The placement of two things side by side to show comparison.

Witticism

A cleverly witty and often biting or ironic remark.

Parallelism

Similarity in grammatical structure across related words, phrases, or clauses.

Paradox

A seemingly contradictory statement that nonetheless contains truth.

Chiasmus

An inverted relationship between the syntactic elements of parallel phrases.

Antimetabole

The repetition of words in successive clauses in reverse grammatical order.

Diction

Choice of words especially with regard to correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.

Syntax

Sentence structure: the way in which linguistic elements (such as words) are put together to form phrases, clauses, or sentences.

Periodic sentence

A usually complex sentence that has no subordinate or trailing elements following its principal clause.

Loose sentence

A sentence in which the principal clause comes first and subordinate modifiers or trailing elements follow.

Parenthesis

The insertion of a verbal unit that interrupts the normal syntactical flow of a sentence.

Anaphora

Repetition of a word or expression at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses especially for rhetorical or poetic effect.

Epistrophe

Repetition of a word or expression at the end of successive phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses especially for rhetorical or poetic effect.

Antithesis

The rhetorical contrast of ideas by means of parallel arrangements of words, clauses, or sentences.

Ostentatious

Attracting or seeking to attract attention

Gaudy

Tasteless in a showy way

Tawdry

Cheap and gaudy in appearance or quality

Sordid

Marked by baseness or grossness

Pejorative

A word or phrase that has negative connotations or that is intended to disparage or belittle

Disparage

To speak slightingly about: to belittle the importance or value of

Slighting

Characterized by disregard or disrespect

Flippant

Lacking proper respect or seriousness

Insouciant

Exhibiting or characterized by lighthearted unconcern

Declamatory

Expressing feelings or opinions in a way that is loud and forceful

Vehement

Forcibly expressed, deeply felt