AP English Rhetorical Strategies & Argumentation Terms

Exigence

What event/problem inspires the author to write.

Context

The time, place, or situation surrounding a text.

Writer/Speaker

The author or persona presenting the message.

Audience

The intended readers and their values/beliefs.

Purpose

What the writer wants to achieve (persuade, inform, entertain, etc.).

Message

The main claim or central idea of the text.

Thesis

The main claim the author argues.

Claims

Reasons the author provides to support the thesis.

Evidence

Facts, data, examples, quotes that support the claims.

Commentary

Explanation of how the evidence supports the claim.

Line of Reasoning

Logical progression connecting ideas throughout the argument.

Concession

When a writer acknowledges part of an opposing viewpoint.

Counterargument

An explanation of why the opposing viewpoint is flawed.

Rebuttal

The writer's response disproving or weakening a counterargument.

Refutation

Using evidence to prove an opposing claim invalid.

Ethos

Appeal to credibility; shows the author is trustworthy and knowledgeable.

Pathos

Appeal to emotion; evokes feelings such as sympathy, anger, fear.

Logos

Appeal to logic; uses reasoning, evidence, data, and facts.

Pathos Signal Phrases

The author evokes emotion by...

Ethos Signal Phrases

The author establishes credibility by...

Logos Signal Phrases

The author supports the claim with logical evidence by...

Description

Uses sensory details to paint a picture for the reader.

Narration

Uses storytelling or anecdotes, often chronological.

Exposition

A comprehensive description and explanation of an idea or theory.. Includes the six types: Process Analysis, Example/Exemplification, Definition, Classification/Division, Compare/Contrast, Cause/Effect

Argument

Presents a claim and supports it with reasoning & evidence.

Process Analysis

Explains steps.

Example/Exemplification

Uses examples, facts, data.

Definiton

Explains a concept

Classification/Division

Breaks a whole into parts.

Compare/Contrast

Highlights similarities/differences

Cause/Effect

Shows why something happens

Adjectives

Descriptive words → emotional or vivid effect.

Allegory

Characters/settings symbolically represent ideas or moral qualities.

Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds → memorable emphasis.

Allusion

Reference to history/lit/biblical event → builds ethos or enriches meaning.

Analogy

Comparison used to explain a concept logically.

Anaphora

Repetition at beginnings → rhythm/emphasis.

Anecdote

Short personal story → emotional appeal or credibility.

Asyndeton

No conjunctions → faster pace, intensity.

Assertion

A claim stated as fact → authoritative tone.

Attacks

Critiques opposing views → strengthens argument.

Bias

One-sided presentation → manipulates audience.

Connotation

Emotional meaning of a word → affects tone.

Credibility (Ethos)

Establishing trustworthiness.

Epistrophe

Repetition at sentence ends → emotional force.

Emotion (Pathos)

Use of emotional response to persuade.

Evidence

Facts/examples/statistics supporting claims.

Generalization

Broad claim about a group.

Hyperbole

Deliberate exaggeration → emphasis.

Imagery

Sensory words creating vivid experience.

Irony

Opposite of expected.

Metaphor

Direct comparison without like/as.

Onomatopoeia

Sound words.

Personification

Human traits applied to nonhuman things.

Rule of Three

Triplets of ideas → memorable.

Simile

Comparison using like/as.

Symbol

Represents deeper meaning.

Jargon

Professional terms → ethos.

Loaded Words

Emotion-triggering language.

Pronouns

Create unity ("we") or division ("they").

Reason (Logos)

Logical thinking.

Repetition

Emphasis, rhythm, persuasion.

Rhetorical Questions

Implied answers → guide thinking.

Style

Beautiful, memorable language.

Substance

Deep ideas, meaningful message.

Impact

Emotional or motivational effect on audience.

The three elements of a great speech

Style, Substance, and Impact

3 multiple choice options

Parallelism

The use of similar grammatical forms for related words, phrases, or clauses to create balance, rhythm, and clarity