AP Lang Vocab

diction

Word choice, particularly as an element of style, Different types of words have significant effects on meaning.

exigence

The part of a rhetorical situation that inspires, stimulates, provokes, or prompts writers to create a text.

Reason for writing.

infer

To reach conclusion based on what was implied or insinuated; To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented

context

The time, place, and occasion for the text

juxtaposition

Placing things side by side for the purposes of comparison.

literal

In accordance with, involving, or being the primary or strict meaning of the word or words; not figurative or metaphorical

purpose

What the writer hopes or accomplish with a text.

rhetoric

the art of effective communication

rhetorical situation

Refers to the exigence, purpose, audience, writer, context, and message.

rhetorical question

question not asked for information but for effect

style

The choices in diction, tone, and syntax that a writer makes.

May be conscious or unconscious.

thesis

Main, overarching claim a writer is seeking to defend or prove by using reasoning supported by evidence.

tone

Writer’s attitude or feeling about a subject, conveyed through word choice and writing style.

voice

The effects of particular choices in writing

audience

Who the text is addressed to; has shared as well as individual beliefs, values, needs, and background

syntax

The grammatical arrangement of words

Predicate

Part of the sentence that contains the verbs and says something about the subject

Clause

Group of words containing a subject and a predicate (verb)

Independent Clause

Also known as a main clause; expresses a complete thought that can stand along as a main sentence

Dependent Clause

Also known as the subordinate clause; cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be joined to an independent clause

Simple Sentence

Contains only 1 independent clause

Compound Sentence

Contains at least 2 independent clauses but no dependent clauses

Complex Sentence

Contains only 1 independent clause and at least 1 dependent clause

Declarative Sentence

“Regular Sentence” that states an idea

Imperative Sentence

Issues a command; understood subject is (you)

Interrogative Sentence

A question; includes an interrogative pronoun - what, which, who, whom, whose

Balanced Sentence

A sentence in which two parallel elements are set off against each other like equal weights on a scale. Both parts are parallel grammatically. Also called parallelism

Cumulative Sentence

(also called loose sentence); Begins with an independent clause and adds subordinate elements

Periodic Sentence

When the main idea is not completed until the end of the sentence. The writer begins with subordinate elements and postpones the main clause.

Antecedent

Word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun; the pronoun is replacing either the subject or the object in the sentence

antithesis

Two opposite or contrasting words, phrases, or clauses or even ideas, with parallel structure
Using contrast in language in order to emphasize contrast in ideas; can be created by contrasting different parts of a statement

parallelism/parallel structure

Sentence construction which places equal grammatical constructions near each other, or repeats identical grammatical patterns

coherence

A principle demanding that the parts of any composition be arranged so that the meaning of the whole may be immediately clear and intelligible

analogy/analogous

Using a well-known idea, concept, person, etc. in order to simplify a more difficult, unfamiliar concept

anecdote

A brief recounting of a relevant episode

inversion/invert

Reversing the natural or normal word order for a poetic effect or to grab the reader’s attention.

cause-effect

Writers present a cause, assert effects or consequences of that cause, or present a series of causes and the subsequent effect(s).

comparison-contrast

Writers present a category of comparison and then examine the similarities and/or differences between the objects of the comparison. When analyzing similarities and/or differences, like categories of comparison must be used.

narration

Writers offer details about real-life experiences and offer reflections and insights on the significance of those experiences

definition

Writers relate the characteristics, features, or sensory details of an object or idea, sometimes using examples or illustrations

coordination

To illustrate a balance of or equality between ideas

subordination

To illustrate an imbalance or inequality between ideas

perspective

The background, interests, and expertise of an individual or group. Not synonymous with position- people with the same position may come from different perspectives

reiterate

To state again for emphasis or repeatedly sometimes with wearying effect

underscore

To emphasize, stress; to reveal importance of something

discourse

written or spoken communication; exchange of ideas/conversation

colloquial

used in ordinary or informal conversation. A “colloquialism” is a common for familiar type of saying

concrete language

Words used to describe tangible things; factual, realistic language

conditional statement

if-then statement and consists of two parts, an antecedent and a consequent. Often used as premises in an argument

connotation

the associations suggested by a word. Implied meaning rather than literal meaning

jargon

The diction used by a group which practices a similar profession or activity

definition

writers relate the characteristics, features, or sensory details of an object or idea, sometimes using examples or illustrations

denotation

the literal, explicit meaning of a word; the dictionary definition

descriptive language

depiction in words of something or someone through detailed observation of color, motion, sound, taste, smell, and touch

euphemism

presenting a potentially offensive or negative word or term in a more positive, less offensive light

exemplify/exemplification

to show or illustrate by example; to serve as an example; to be typical of

explicate/explication

to analyze or explain; to explain in detail

vernacular

language or dialect of a particular country
language or dialect of a regional clan or group
plain everyday speech

abstract language or concept

opposite of concrete and tangible; usually relates to concepts, ideas, emotions, and universal themes

pun

when a word that has two or more meaning is used in a humorous way

argument

A piece of reasoning with one or more premises and a conclusion. Also known as a claim, position, or stance

Premises

Statements offered as reasons to support a conclusion.

A conclusion is the end result of the argument – the main point being made.

In an argument one expects that the conclusion will be supported with reasons or premises. Moreover, these premises will be true and will, in fact, lead to the conclusion.

qualifier/qualify

An argument with limitations, conditions, or modifications in order to be more realistic or in anticipations of counterarguments

rebut/rebuttal

offer a contrasting perspective on an argument and its evidence or provide alternative evidence to propose that all or a portion of a competing position or claim is invalid.

refute/refutation

When writers refute, they demonstrate, using evidence, that all or a portion of competing position or claim is invalid

ethos

Credibility, means being convinced by the credibility of the author.

pathos

Persuading by appealing to the reader's emotions.

logos

Persuading by the use of logical reasoning, using true premises and valid arguments. This is generally considered the strongest form of persuasion

induction/inductive reasoning

Making broad generalizations form specific observations;

deductive reasoning

Drawing specific conclusions from general premises or principles

concede/concession

Accepting at least part of all of an opposing viewpoint. Often used to make one’s own argument stronger by demonstrating that one is willing to accept what is obviously true and reasonable, even if it is presented by the opposition.

affirm

to state or assert positively; maintain as true; to confirm or ratify

contentious

tending to argument or strife; quarrelsome
causing, involving, or characterized by argument or controversy

equivocate/equivocation

Verb - to use ambiguous or unclear expressions, usually to avoid commitment or in order to mislead or hedge

Noun - the use of ambiguous expressions, especially in order to mislead or hedge

valid/validity

sound, just, well-founded

fallacy

Errors in reasoning; illogical arguments or irrelevant points

ad hominem

Personally attacking your opponents instead of their arguments. It is an argument that appeals to emotions rather than reason, felling, or prejudices rather than intellect.

Latin for “against the man”

non sequitur

A conclusion that does not follow its premises; statement that seems to come out of the blue

Latin for “it does not follow”

post hoc, ergo propter hoc

Assuming that because two things happened, the first one caused the second one.

Latin for “after this, therefore because of this”

slippery slope

The assumption that once started, a situation will continue to its most extreme possible outcome.

red herring

Diversionary tactic that avoids key issues, often by avoiding opposing arguments rather than addressing them.

hasty generalization

Claim based on too little or unrepresentative data/insufficient evidence.

ambivalent

Feeling two ways at the same time; having conflicting feelings

impartial

Not biased; treating all equally; fair

indifferent

Not interested or concerned; apathetic

reprove

To disapprove of strongly

skeptical

An attitude of doubt or uncertainty

Appeal to authority

The claim that because somebody famous supports an idea, the idea must be right.

Appeal to the bandwagon

The claim, as evidence for an idea, that many people believe or do it.

The popularity of an idea is no guarantee that it’s right.

allusion/allegory/allegorical/allude

Reference to something in art, music, movies, literature, culture, history, etc

appositive

A word or group of words placed beside a noun or noun substitute to supplement its meaning

contrived

Having an unnatural or false appearance or quality; sounding forced, fake or insincere

evoke/evocative

To bring a memory, feeling or image to mind; to conjure

imply/implied/insinuate

To hint at, suggest; involved, indicated, or suggested without being directly or explicitly stated; tacitly understood

nostalgia/nostalgic

Feeling of both pleasure and sadness that is caused by remembering something from the past and wishing that you could experience it again

paradox/paradoxical

A seemingly contradictory situation which is actually true

parody

An exaggerated imitation of a serious work for humorous purposes. It borrows words or phrases from an original, and pokes fun at it

satire

A work that reveals a critical attitude toward some element of life to a humorous effect

pedantic

words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish

sarcasm/sarcastic

Use of words that mean opposite of what you really want to say, especially in order to insult someone, to show irritation or to be funny