AP Lang rhetorical and literary terms

Ad hominem argument

Literally meaning “to the man”, ad hominem is a term applied to statements that appeal to one’s emotions, prejudices, or special interests rather than one’s reason or intellect. The phrase is used in argument to signify remarks attacking an opponent’s character and personality rather than answering his contentions and beliefs. “Hes stupid”

Ambiguity

Doubtfulness or uncertainty of intention or meaning. Refers to a statement that is subject to more than one interpretation. “The woman hit the man with an umbrella”

Analysis

Writing that carefully examines and explores a subject with the objective of gaining understanding.

Argumentation

A set of opinions expounded in a work. In an argument essay, one will be required to determine a position and defend that position by citing specific examples to support the stance selected.

Attitude

Attitude of writer toward his/her subject matter determines the tone of their work. Pessimistic, optimistic, detatched, outraged, whimsical, satirical, etc.

Asyndetion

A form of verbal compression consisting of eliminating connecting words between clauses. “I came, I saw, I conquered”

Begging the question

A logical fallacy. Taking a conclusion for granted before it is proved or assuming the propositions something that is to be proved in the conclusion. “Should an evil man like smith be chosen?”

Clause

A part that comprises a sentence. It, however, cannot stand alone, as a clause does not have either a subject or a verb or a necessary direct object. “stands alone”, or “once it stands alone”

Colloquial/colloquialism

A word or phrase used in conversation suggesting a regional, easy, informal, style of writing or speaking. “Yall”

Didactic

Refers to the use of writing for teaching, for offering guidance in moral, religious, and ethical matters

Euphemism

The substitution of an agreeable or at least non-offensive expression for one whose plainer meaning might be harsh or unpleasant.

Exposition

A form of writing that defines, explains, and interprets.

False analogy

When two cases or examples are not sufficiently parallel in thought, these axamples lead readers to accept a claim or connection between them

Figurative language

A word or phrase that is innacurate literally, but it describes by calling to mind sensations or responses that evoke feelings. Simile

Imagery

Induces all senses creating pictures in the mind

Inversion

Reversal in the syntactical order of a sentence. “ a damsel with a dulcimer in a vision once I saw”

Juxtaposition

To compare side by side in order to emphasize differences

Metonymy

The substitution or the name of an attribute for an entire item.

Non sequitur

Literally means “it does not follow” linking two ideas or events that are not related

Onomatopoeia

The formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named

Oxymoron

A type of paradox that combines two terms ordinarily seen as opposite

Pacing

The technique a writer uses to move the reader along to a conclusion

Paradox

An assertion that seemingly opposes common sense, yet it may have some truth to it

Pedantic

An adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or both

Personification

The giving of human qualities to an animal, object, or idea

Polysyndeton

A rhetorical term for the repeated use of conjunctions to link together a succession of words, clauses, or sentences

Prosaic

Conversational language or everyday language

purpose

the reason an author is sharing his or her piece

repetition

the intentional reuse of a word, phrase, line , or other element more than once to achieve the desired effect

Shift

a change or movement in a work to signify insight gained

Style

The authors technique in using words, phrases, and sentences to form ideas and create their unique purpose.

Synthesis

A persuasive argument supported with evidence.

Understatement

Purposefully represents a thing as much less significant than it really is “Oh, it was important all right”