AP Lang Packet Vocab: Chapter 1

Rhetoric

the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion.

texts

products that can be read, they are investigated rather than just consumed or comprehended.

rhetorical situation

of a text is made up of several factors: context, which includes setting and occasion, exigence, purpose, audience, writer, and message.

exigence

refers to the aspects of the rhetorical situation that make it urgent.

occasion

the specific circumstances and events that necessitate the text — is sometimes part of its exigence, but not always.

purpose

is the reason why text is composed by the writer, often to persuade or inform the audience on a certain topic.

rhetorical triangle (Aristotelian triangle)

a model illustrating the relationship among the writer, audience and subject in a piece of literature. Emphasizing how they interact and influence each other to understand rhetorical writing.

persona

the role the writer plays when delivering a speech or publishing a text.

message

is the main idea or position the writer wants to convey to the audience about the subject of the text.

rhetorical appeals

ways of making a message appealing to an audience: ethos, logos and pathos.

ethos

expertise, knowledge, experience, sincerity, shared values, or a combination of these factors — gives the audience a reason for listening to this person on this subject.

logos

reason, by offering clear, rational ideas. It means thinking logically — having a clear main idea and using specific details, examples, facts, statistics, or expert testimony to back it up.

concede

to acknowledge a point made by an opposing or contradicting side.

refute

to disprove or counter an argument, showing it to be false or invalid.

rebut

to counter an argument or claim by presenting contrasting evidence or reasoning.

pathos

is an appeal to emotions, values, desires, and hopes, on the one hand, or fears and prejudices, on the other.

diction

a writer’s choice of words.

style

a mix of elements: the word choices writers make, the syntactical patterns the create in their writing, and the conventions of grammar and mechanics that they use.

denotation

dictionary definition of a phrase or word.

connotations

the associations or emotions a word evokes beyond its literal meaning.

modifiers

words or phrases that describe or limit the meaning of other words in a sentence, providing additional depth or information.

clauses

groups of words containing a subject and a predicate that may function as a complete sentence or as part of a larger sentence. (independent and dependent clauses)

formal diction

diction that sticks to grammatical rules and avoids colloquial or slang expressions.

informal diction

diction which is more conversational and might include more casual expressions.

figurative language

words or phrases that are not meant to be taken literally and usually involve comparisons.

syntax

the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences.

compound sentences

sentences that contain at least two independent clauses joined by a conjunction.

complex sentences

sentences that contain one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

coordination

joining clauses with for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so.

subordination

joining clauses with when, because, until, if).

periodic sentence

A periodic sentence is a complex sentence in which the main clause is saved until the end for emphasis, often building suspense or interest.

cumulative sentence

A cumulative sentence is a complex sentence that begins with a main clause followed by additional details or modifiers, allowing for a more elaborate style.

parenthetical sentences

A parenthetical sentence includes additional information or commentary that interrupts the main flow of a sentence, typically set off by commas, dashes, or parentheses.

parallel structure

Parallel structure is a grammatical construction in which similar parts of a sentence are expressed in the same form, enhancing clarity and rhythm.

antithesis

A figure of speech that juxtaposes contrasting ideas in balanced phrases or clauses, creating a stark contrast for emphasis.

tone

Tone refers to the author's attitude or approach toward a subject, conveyed through word choice and style, influencing the reader's perception.

irony

A rhetorical device or figure of speech in which the intended meaning is opposite to the literal meaning, often used for humor or emphasis.

hyperbole

A figure of speech that involves exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis or effect.

line of reasoning

A structured series of statements or arguments that support a conclusion, demonstrating logical connections and coherence.