APLAC Rhetorical Vocabulary (76-151) (copy)

Mr. Sturm

hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. ________ often have a comic effect; however, a serious effect is also possible. Often, _______ produces irony.

imagery

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. On a physical level, ________ uses terms related to the five senses; we refer to visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, or olfactory imagery. On a broader and deeper level, however, one image can represent more than one thing. For example, a rose may present visual _______ while also representing the color in a woman's cheeks and/or symbolizing some degree of perfection (It is the highest flower on the Great Chain of Being). An author may use complex ________ while simultaneously employing other figures of speech, especially metaphor and simile. In addition, this term can apply to the total of all the images in a work.

inductive reasoning

Reasoning that begins by citing a number of specific instances or examples and then shows how collectively they constitute a general principle. Ex: Harold is a grandfather. Harold is bald. → All grandfathers are bald. (Can lead to faulty conclusions.)

inference/infer

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented. When someone asks for an _______ to be drawn from a passage, the most direct, most reasonable _______ is the safest answer choice. If an ________ is implausible, it's unlikely to be correct. Note that if the answer is directly stated, it is not _____ and is wrong. You must be careful to note the connotation--negative or positive--of the words used.

integrate

in any researched and/or documented essay: quoted, paraphrased, and/or summarized words of others that will be incorporated into the writer's own text. To do this smoothly, writers should seamlessly blend or weave their own words with those of others. This is the _________ of quotations and citations. If quotations, etc., are ________, no quotation will stand alone as a sentence. For example: In The Greatest Glossaries Ever Known, John Smith asserts that "all good glossaries are written in alphabetical order" (72). Here the words of John Smith-those within the quotation marks- are introduced by the writer's own words. The citation for the John Smith resource-The Greatest Glossaries Ever Known-is ______ into the text, with the specific page number cited in parentheses at the end of the sentence.

introduction

The beginning of an essay; it should generally state a writer's main point. An __________ can include a thesis statement and can even begin to develop the thesis, but it can also simply pose a question, the answer to which will be the essay's thesis. It can also begin with a story/ anecdote, out of which the thesis will develop. "William F. Buckle, Jr’s “Why Don’t We complain?” is a good example of an anecdotal ________

invective

An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.

irony/ironic

The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant. The difference between what appears to be and what actually is true. In general, there are three major types of _____ used in language; (1) In verbal _____, the words literally state the opposite of the writer's (or speaker's) true meaning. (2) In situational ____, events turn out the opposite of what was expected. What the characters and readers think ought to happen is not what does happen. (3) In dramatic ____, facts or events are unknown to a character in a play or piece of fiction but known to the reader, audience, or other characters in the work. ____ is used for many reasons, but frequently, it's used to create poignancy or humor.

jargon

The specialized vocabulary of a particular group. Ex: RAM, processor, gigabit

juxtaposition

The location of one thing adjacent to another to cause an effect, reveal an attitude, or make a point. Ex: Beggars can't be choosers. You can't teach an old dog new tricks.

logical argument, classical

_________________ derive from Greek and Roman philosophers and include three types of appeals: emotional appeal, or pathos-appeal to the emotions of the audience; logical appeal, or logos appeal to reason; and ethical appeal, or ethos-the character or expertise of the speaker.

logical argument, contemporary

_________________ may employ strategies and appeals beyond the three that characterize classical argument. These may include, but are not limited to, argument by definition, induction, inference, and analogy.

logical fallacy

Refers to the flaw in the structure of an argument that renders the argument invalid. The term is also used to mean any argument that is faulty or problematic

logos

The author's ability to reveal logic and reason in the text.

loose sentence

A type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses. If a period were placed at the end of the independent clause, the clause would be a complete sentence. A work containing many ___________ often seems informal, relaxed, and conversational. Generally __________ create ______ style.

marginalia

Another word for anecdotal scripting, ________ is a term for the notes that a writer scripts in the margins of a text.

metacognition

knowledge about your own thinking: the thoughts and the factors that influence your thinking.

metaphor

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity. ___________ language makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought provoking, and meaningful.

metonymy

A term from the Greek meaning "changed label" or "substitute name, _______ is a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.Ex: A news release that claims "the White House declared" rather than "the President declared" is using _______. The substituted term generally carries a more potent emotional impact.

mood

This term has two distinct technical meanings in English writing. The first meaning is grammatical and deals with verbal units and a speaker's attitude. The indicative ______ is used only for factual sentences. For example, "Joe eats too quickly." The subjunctive ______ is used to express conditions contrary to fact. For example, "If I were you, id get another job." The imperative mood is used for commands. For example, "Shut the door!" The second meaning of _____ is literary, meaning the prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work. Setting, tone, and events can affect the _____. In this usage, _____ is similar to tone and atmosphere.

narrative

The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events. A ______ may be offered in support of a thesis, claim, or point.

Noun

a word that identifies a person, place, thing, or idea.

oxymoron

From the Greek for pointedly foolish," an ________ is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox. Simple examples include "jumbo shrimp" and "cruel kindness." This term does not usually appear in the multiple-choice questions, but there is a chance that you might find it in an essay. Take note of the effect which the author achieves with this term.

paradox

A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity.

parallelism

Also referred to as _______ construction or ______ structure, this term comes from Greek roots meaning "beside one another." It refers to :1. grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity. This can involve, but is not limited to, repetition of a grammatical element such as a preposition or verbal phrase. Ex: Charles Dickens's novel A Tale of Two Cities begins: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity." The effects of _______ are numerous, but frequently they act as an organizing force to attract the reader's attention, add emphasis and organization, or simply provide a musical rhythm.

parody

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule. As comedy, ______ distorts or exaggerates distinctive features of the original. As ridicule, it mimics the work by repeating and borrowing words, phrases, or characteristics in order to illuminate weaknesses in the original. Well-written _____ offers enlightenment about the original, but poorly written ______ offers only ineffectual imitation. Usually an audience must grasp literary allusion and understand the work being parodied in order to fully appreciate the nuances of the newer work. Occasionally, however, parodies take on a life of their own and do not require knowledge of the original.

pathos

the quality or power in an actual life experience or in literature, music, speech, or other forms of expression, of evoking a feeling of pity or compassion. When a writer or speaker argues with emotion rather than logic. Also called emotional appeal.

pedantic

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

periodic sentence

A sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end. This independent clause is preceded by a phrase or clause that cannot stand alone. For example: "Ecstatic with my SAT score, I let out a loud, joyful shout.!" The effect of a _______ sentence is to add emphasis and structural variety. It is also a much stronger sentence than the loose sentence.

personification

A figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts. animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions. _____________ is used to make these abstractions, animals, or objects appear more vivid to the reader.

perspective

Refers to the point from which a reader or writer views a particular subject or idea. For example, looking at homework from the point of view of a student differs from the ________ of a teacher.

plagiarism

Using another person's words or ideas in one's own work, without acknowledgement.

point of view

In literature, the perspective from which a story is told, There are two general divisions of ___________- and many subdivisions within those. (1) the first person narrator tells the story with the first person pronoun, " and is a character in the story. This narrator can be the protagonist. a participant (character in a secondary role), or an observer (a character who merely watches the action). (2) the third person narrator relates the events with the third person pronouns, "he," "she, and "it" There are two main subdivisions to be aware of: omniscient and limited omniscient. In the "third person omniscient" __________, the narrator, with godlike knowledge, presents the thoughts and actions of any or all characters. This all-knowing narrator can reveal what each character feels and thinks at any given moment. The "third person limited omniscient" point of view, as its name implies, presents the feelings and thoughts of only one character, presenting only the actions of all remaining characters. This definition applies in questions in the multiple-choice section.

predicate adjective

One type of subject complement-an adjective, group of adjectives, or adjective clause that follows a linking verb. It is in the _________ of the sentence, and modifies, or describes, the subject. Ex: The shoes look expensive. Shoes = subject, look = linking verb, expensive = ________________.

predicate nominative

A second type of subject complement -a noun, group of nouns, or noun clause that renames the subject. It, like the predicate adjective, follows a linking verb and is located in the predicate of the sentence. Ex: She was a monster. She = subject, was = linking verb, monster = ___________________

preposition

a word or phrase that precedes a noun or pronoun and indicates a relation from that word to another word or phrase in a sentence. Ex; We drove to the store. To = __________.

primary source

Original records created at the time historical events occurred or after events in the form of memoirs and oral histories. In addition, if a writer is preparing an analysis of a literary text such as a novel or poem, that literary text is a ___________. __________ may include letters, manuscripts, diaries, journals, newspapers, speeches, interviews, memoirs, documents produced by government agencies such as Congress, photographs, audio/video recordings, and research data. May also include data or information acquired personally by the researcher through surveys or interviews.

pronoun

a word that replaces a noun and stands for a person, place, thing, or idea.

prose

One of the major divisions of genre, ____ refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms. In ____ the printer determines the length of the line; in poetry, the poet determines the length of the line.

persuasion

The changing of people's minds or actions by the effective use of language.

quotation

The inclusion of the words of another in one's own work, indicated by surrounding _______ marks. Used to convey a sense of the person who wrote or spoke those words, or to reproduce a phrase or sentence or more that perfectly captures some meaning the writer wishes to convey or to borrow some authority from an expert or eyewitness.

reflection

careful thought, especially the process of reconsidering previous actions, events, or decisions.

refute/refutation

an argument technique wherein opposing arguments are anticipated and countered.

repetition

The duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern.

revision

The stage or process of writing after a first draft is written when writers reexamine their work and try to improve it. This improvement consists of more than editing and/or proofreading; it also includes reevaluating the thesis, the argument, the structure, the organization, the supporting evidence, and even the topic. All good or improving writers revise their work.

rhetoric

From the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of speaking or writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.

rhetorical devices

Words or phrases designed to create a particular effect in a story or drama or to evoke a particular response from a reader, listener, or viewer. These strategies include but are not limited to rhetorical questions, repetition, analogy, anecdote, paradox, irony, humor, and various figures of speech.

rhetorical modes

This flexible term describes the variety, the conventions, and the purposes of the major kinds of writing. The four most common ______________ and their purposes are as follows: (1) The purpose of exposition (or expository writing) is to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion. (2) The purpose of argumentation is to prove the validity of an idea, or point of view, by presenting sound reasoning, discussion, and argument that thoroughly convince the reader. Persuasive writing is a type of argumentation having an additional aim of urging some form of action. (3) The purpose of description is to recreate, invent, or visually present a person, place, event, or action so that the reader can picture that being described. Sometimes an author engages all five senses in description; good descriptive writing can be sensuous and picturesque. Descriptive writing may be straightforward and objective or highly emotional and subjective. (4) The purpose of narration is to tell a story or narrate an event or series of events. This writing mode frequently uses the tools of descriptive writing. These four writing modes are sometimes referred to as modes of discourse.

rhetorical purpose

Writing for specific reasons-exigence (something that a situation demands)-perhaps to persuade, set forth an argument, to explain or inform, to express feelings or convey emotions, or to entertain. Determining an author's intent or ______________ is essential in determining the meaning and/or the effect of an essay.

rhetorical situation

The convergence in a ______ of exigency (the need to speak or write): audience, purpose, tone, genre, medium, design.

sarcasm

From the Greek meaning "to tear flesh" - ______ involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something. It may use irony as a device, but not all ironic statements are ________, that is, intended to ridicule. When well done, sarcasm can be witty and insightful; when poorly done, it's simply cruel.

satire

A work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule. Regardless of whether or not the work aims to reform human behavior, satire is best seen as a style of writing rather than a purpose for writing. It can be recognized by the many devices used effectively by the satirist: irony, wit, parody, caricature, hyperbole, understatement, and sarcasm. The effects of ______ are varied, depending on the writer's goal, but good satire, often humorous, is thought provoking and insightful about the human condition.

secondary sources

_______ that analyze, describe, explain, or restate information from primary sources. Common reference materials such as dictionaries and encyclopedias, textbooks, books/articles in general are all examples of ________________. If, for example, a writer is preparing an analysis of a literary text such as a novel or a poem, the text (such as Night or MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech) is the primary source and any book reviews, website discussion, critical analysis about the text, or biographies of the author of that text are ____________.

semantics

The branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and theft relation to one another.

support

In any researched and/or documented essay, quoted, paraphrased, and for summarized words of others will be incorporated into the writer's own text. To do this smoothly, writers should seamlessly blend or integrate their own words with those of others. This is the "weaving" of source and support material. In other words, if quotations, etc., are integrated, no quotation will stand alone as a sentence. Also, in a text, the material offered to make concrete or to back up a generalization, thesis, claim, or conclusion. See also "synthesis."

style

The consideration of ____ has two purposes: (1) An evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices. Some authors' ______ are so idiosyncratic that we can quickly recognize works by the same author (or a writer emulating that author's style). Compare, for example, Jonathan Swift to George Orwell or William Faulkner to Ernest Hemingway. We can analyze and describe an author's personal ____ and make judgments on how appropriate it is to the author's purpose. _____ can be called flowery, explicit, succinct, rambling, bombastic, commonplace, incisive, or laconic, to name only a few examples. (2) Classification of authors to a group and comparison of an author to similar authors. By means of such classification and comparison, we can see how an author's _____ reflects and helps to define a historical period, such as the Renaissance or the Victorian period, or a literary movement, such as the romantic, transcendental or realist movement.

style manual

a guide for formatting citations and for preparing documents and papers. A number of _________ are recognized and used by different groups for different purposes. Those in the humanities often use the Modern Language Association's (MLA) __________. Those in the social sciences such as education or psychology often use the manual from the American Psychological Association.

subject complement

The word (with any accompanying phrases) or clauses that follows a linking verb and ______, or completes, the subject of the sentence by either (1) renaming it or (2) describing it. The former is technically a predicate nominative, the latter a predicate adjective. Multiple-choice questions.

subordinate clause

Like all _____, this word group contains both a subject and a verb (plus any accompanying phrases or modifiers), but unlike the independent ______, the ________________cannot stand alone; it does not express a complete thought. Also called a dependent clause, the _______________ depends on a main clause, sometimes called an independent clause, to complete its meaning. Easily recognized key words and phrases usually begin these clauses-for example: although, because, unless, (1 even though, since, as soon as, while, who, when, where, how, and that.

syllogism

From the Greek for "reckoning together," a _______ (or ________ reasoning or ______ logic) is a deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises (the first one called "major" and the second, "minor") that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion. A frequently cited example proceeds as follows:
a. major Premise: All men are mortal.
b. minor premise: Socrates is a man.
c. conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
A _______ conclusion is valid only if each of the two premises is valid. ________ may also present the specific idea first ("Socrates") and the general second ("All men").

symbol/symbolism

Generally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else. Usually a ______ is something concrete-such as an object, action, character, or scene-that represents something more abstract. However, ______ and _________ can be much more complex. One system classifies ________ in three categories: (1) Natural ______ are objects and occurrences from nature to represent ideas commonly associated with them (dawn symbolizing hope or a new beginning, a rose symbolizing love, a tree symbolizing knowledge). (2) Conventional _______ are those that have been invested with meaning by a group (religious symbols such as a cross or Star of David: national symbols, such as a flag or an eagle; or group _______, such as a skull and crossbones for pirates or the scales of justice for lawyers). (3) Literary symbols are sometimes also conventional in the sense that they are found in a variety of works and are generally recognized. However, a work's _______ may be more complicated as is the whale in Moby Dick and the jungle in Heart of Darkness. Try to determine what abstraction an object is a ______ for and to what extent it is successful in representing that abstraction.

synecdoche

a figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole, such as "50 masts" representing 50 ships and "100 head of steer" representing 100 cattle.

syntax

The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences. ______ is similar to diction, but you can differentiate them by thinking of ______ as the groups of words, while diction refers to the individual words. In the multiple-choice section, expect to be asked some questions about how an author manipulates ______.

synthesize

to combine parts into a more complex whole. For example, a writer might read a variety of viewpoints and combine parts of a number of these viewpoints into a new and more complex personal view. Readers analyze a text by looking at specific parts of that text-word choice, structure, figures of speech--then they _________ their analysis of these various parts to form an understanding or interpretation of the work as a whole.

technical documents

Includes all forms of business, professional, and technical communication. Some examples include surveys and questionnaires, research studies, and proposals. Other ________ might include letters

theme

The central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life. Usually the ______ is unstated in fictional works, but in nonfiction, the _____ may be directly stated, especially in expository or argumentative writing. In expository writing, the thesis statement is the sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position. Expository writing is usually judged by analyzing how accurately, effectively, and thoroughly a writer has proved the thesis.

thesis

The main idea in a text, often the main generalization, conclusion, or claim. An arguable _____ is a declarative statement that includes a topic plus a judgment or opinion about that topic. A _____ sets up an assertion or claim that the writer then supports or proves with supporting details, evidence, and reasoning. The _____ also provides the controlling idea for an essay. By its very nature, a ______ is arguable because a writer has only reason to support or prove a statement if more than one view or interpretation is possible.

tone

Similar to mood, ____ describes the author's attitude toward his material, the audience, or both. _____ is easier to determine in spoken language than in written language. Considering how a work would sound if it were read aloud can help in identifying an author's tone. Some words describing tone are playful, serious, businesslike, sarcastic, humorous, formal, ornate, sardonic, and somber.

topic sentence

A declarative statement that provides the controlling idea for a paragraph, and, consequently, provides a supporting statement for the thesis of an essay. A ___________ is arguable when it sets up an assertion or claim that the writer then supports or proves with supporting details, evidence, and reasoning throughout the paragraph.

transition

A word or phrase that links different ideas. Used especially, although not exclusively, in expository and argumentative writing, ________ effectively signal a shift from one idea to another. A few commonly used _________ words or phrases are furthermore, consequently, nevertheless, for example, in addition, likewise, similarly and on the contrary. More sophisticated writers use more subtle means of ______.

understatement

The ironic minimizing of fact, _____________ presents something as less significant than it is. The effect can frequently be humorous and emphatic. ____________ is the opposite of hyperbole.

undertone

an attitude that may lie under the ostensible ___ of the piece. Under a cheery surface, for example, a work may have threatening ________. William Blake's "The Chimney Sweeper" from the Songs of Innocence has a grim ________.

verb

a word or phrase that shows the reader what the subject is doing or the state of the subject

wit

In modem usage. intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights. A ____ statement is humorous, while suggesting the speaker's verbal power in creating ingenious and perceptive remarks. ____ usually uses terse language that makes a pointed statement. Historically, ____ originally meant basic understanding. Its meaning evolved to include speed of understanding, and finally (in the early seventeenth century), it grew to mean quick perception including creative fancy and a quick tongue to articulate an answer that demanded the same quick perception.

writing process

The acts a writer goes through, often recursively, to complete a piece of writing: Inventing, investigating, planning, drafting, consulting, revising, editing, proofreading.

zeugma

a grammatically correct construction in which a word, usually a verb or adjective, is applied to two or more nouns without being repeated. Often used to comic effect ("The thief took my wallet and the Fifth Avenue bus").