AP Lingo---1

Colloquial

informal/conversational language known to specific language, geographic region, historical era.

Examples of colloquialisms

• “Y’all” in Texas/south

• “Cookies” in America, “biscuits” in UK

Slang

Informal words/phrases known among small group of people or subculture.

Examples of slang

• “Fetch” meaning cool in Gretchen’s clique of friends

• C001 area known as “the dungeon” to LTHS

Jargon

Technical terms used by people in specific profession, trade, expertise that wouldn’t make sense to someone outside the industry.

Examples of jargon

• “Kritik” and “Non-uniqueness” in debate

• “Pro se” is someone that represents themselves in legal matters w/o attorney

Denotation

Dictonary definition of a word without emotion or attitude. One word can have multiple denotations and definitions change over time.

Examples of denotation

• “Awful” means ‘disagreeable’ today, but in the past it meant ‘inspiring’

Connotation

Associations and emotions suggested by a word, implied meaning>literal meaning. Can be subjective, and positive/negative/neutral.

Examples of connotation

• Words with similar denotations but different connotations:

  • complicated vs. puzzling

  • assertive vs. domineering

  • unique vs. weird

Exigence

Situation that came up that prompts speaker/writer to make rhetorical message for audience in the first place.

Examples of exigence

• Food fight at LTHS is the exigence for principal to give speech about respectful lunch behavior

• COVID pandemic created situation that prompted people to make rhetorical messages

Concession

Accepting/acknowledging opposition or weakness to speaker/writer’s argument, typically to build credibility and trust.

Examples of concessions

• “There’s going to be drugs at the party, but you should trust me to resist peer pressure.”

• “Coal miners will lose their jobs, and they make around $80,000.” When talking about how US ought to reduce coal reliance

Qualifiers/to qualify an argument

Used in academic argument, words or phrases that put limits on arguments to prevent absolute claim. Defend probability/possibility>certainty.

Examples of qualifiers

• many, often, some, few, possibly, perhaps

• “X is true, especially when…”

Absolutes/absolute statement

Words free from limitations/qualifications, assumes absolutely true.

Examples of absolutes

• always, all, never, must, everyone

• “We will win this.”

Conditional statement

If-then statement—typically used as premises in an argument.

Examples of conditional statements

• If I eat too much Taco Bell, then I will throw up.

Genre

Major category of written works—Prose (fiction or nonfiction), poetry, drama. AP Lang nonfiction: autobiography, biography, memoir, diaries, criticism, essays, literary nonfiction, and journalistic, political, scientific and nature writing.

Satire

author employs satirical technique (irony, exaggeration, irony, understatement, contrast) to criticize (to a humorous effect) human vices, behaviors, social institutions, decisions, policies.

Parody

Work that imitates style of another for comic effect/ridicule. Ex. Saturday Night Live

Expose

Article, book, or essay that brings scandal/crime to public notice w/new details to discredit subject.

Exposition/Expository

Writing/speech intended to convey information or to explain (unlike arguing/persuasion). Ex. Newspaper stories

Diatribe

Speech/writing with bitter or violent criticism/attack; denunciation. Synonyms: tirade; harangue

Didactic

Works w/primary aim to instruct, especially teach moral/ethical principles/behavior.

• Can be used to criticize writing that’s too moralistic/condescending

• Speakers avoid overly didactic tone for cred.