vocab AP Lang and comp

rhetoric

the art of effective or persuasive speaking and writing

exigence

the urgent problem, event, or imperfection that motivates someone to write or speak

anaphora

repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, sentences, or lines

absolutes

words that leave no room for exception

diction

the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing; it reflects the style and tone of the work.

denotation

the literal meaning of a word, as opposed to the feelings or ideas that it suggests.

connotation

the ideas or feelings that a word invokes in addition to its literal meaning.

colloquial

language used in ordinary or familiar conversation, informal

formal language

language that is professional and structured, often used in academic or official contexts.

informal language

language that is casual and conversational, often using slang or idioms, and unsuitable for formal contexts.

jargon

specialized language used within specific professions or groups, often difficult for outsiders to understand.

situational irony

a literary device where the outcome is opposite to what is expected for humor

verbal irony

a figure of speech in which the intended meaning is opposite to the literal meaning of the words used.

mood

the emotional atmosphere of a work, influencing the audience's feelings and responses.

imagery

the use of vivid and descriptive language to create mental images and evoke sensory experiences in readers.

figurative language

the use of words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation.

metaphor

a figure of speech that makes an implicit comparison between two unrelated things, suggesting they are alike in some way.

simile

a figure of speech that directly compares two different things using "like" or "as" to highlight a similarity between them.

personification

the attribution of human characteristics or behaviors to non-humans or abstract concepts

understatement

a figure of speech used to intentionally downplay a situation or idea, often for ironic or comedic effect.

hyperbole

a figure of speech that involves exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally

paradox

a statement that reveals a contradiction yet may contain a truth

rhetorical questions

questions posed for effect rather than to elicit an answer

allusion

a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance

syntax

the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language, influencing clarity and style.

parallelism

the repetition of similar grammatical structures in a sentence or series of sentences to create rhythm and emphasize ideas.

juxtaposition

placing two or more concepts, characters, ideas, etc side by side in a narrative to highlight their differences or similarities.

antitheses

a rhetorical device that contrasts opposing ideas in a balanced manner to highlight their differences.

anecdote

a short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person, often used to illustrate a point.

allegory

a narrative that uses symbolic figures and actions to convey a deeper moral or political meaning.

analogy

a comparison between two things often highlighting similarities in their structure or function.

point of view

the perspective from which a story is told

first person

a narrative style where the narrator is a character in the story, using "I" or "we"

second person

a narrative perspective where the narrator addresses the reader directly using "you,"

third person

the narrator is not a character in the story and refers to characters using "he," "she," or "they."

subjective

relating to personal opinions, interpretations, or feelings rather than objective facts.

objective

relating to external facts and observations that are not influenced by personal feelings or opinions.

tone

the author’s attitude toward the subject

expository essay

explains, clarifies, or informs about a specific topic, using evidence and analysis.

description essay

provides a detailed account of a person, place, or event, using sensory details to create a vivid picture for the reader.

persuasion essay

intended to convince the reader to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action, often using logic and emotion

narrative essay

tells a story or recounts events, often from the author's perspective, and may include personal experiences or fictional elements.

cause/effect essay

analyzes the reasons why things happen (causes) and the results of those actions (effects), exploring relationships between events or situations.

process/analysis essay

explains how to do something or analyzes a process, breaking it down into steps to help the reader understand

compare/contrast essay

a type of writing that examines the similarities and differences between two or more subjects