ap lang terms

tone

author’s attitude towards their material or audience

diction

the writer’s word choice that creates tone

imagery

descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creates tone

analogy

explains how two things are alike with a comparison

contrasts

shows that two ideas, images, or objects are different

juxtaposition

two words, phrases, images, or ideas are placed together for contrast

amplifications

intensifying an idea for emphasis

enumeration

the listing or detailing the parts of something

irony

expression of meaning using language that means the opposite

alliteration

repetition of the same sound beginning at several words

parallel structure

similarity of sentence structure in several related words

anaphora

parallel structure in which the same words are repeated in multiple lines

hypophora

raising and responding to one’s own questions

rhetorical question

unanswered question with an obvious or desired answer

allusion

direct or indirect reference to another commonly known event, myth, place, book, or artwork

anecdote

a real, short story used as evidence

hypothetical example

example used to illustrate a possible claim

appeals

intriguing an audience to persuade them to believe a writer’s argument

ethos

convincing an audience through credibility and trust

logos

convincing an audience through a logical argument

pathos

convincing an audience through emotional response