Rolling quiz 1

AP Lang

confirmation bias

a tendency to search for information that supports our preconceptions and to ignore or distort contradictory evidence

bandwagon effect

a shift in electoral support to the candidate whom public opinion polls report as the front-runner

wishful thinking

convincing yourself that something is true simply because you want it to be true

Framing bias

the tendency of decision makers to be influenced by the way a situation or problem is presented to them

clustering illusion

tendency to see patterns in random events

Gambler's Fallacy

the belief that the odds of a chance event increase if the event hasn't occurred recently

halo effect

tendency of an interviewer to allow positive characteristics of a client to influence the assessments of the client's behavior and statements

Syllogism (deductive reasoning)

A form of deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.

illusory superiority

the tendency to view oneself as superior to others

self-serving bias

a readiness to perceive oneself favorably

inductive reasoning

A type of logic in which generalizations are based on a large number of specific observations.

Anaphora

the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

Asyndeton

omission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words

Epistrophe

the repetition of a word at the end of successive clauses or sentences

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.

Zeugma example

He lost his coat and his temper.

Allegory

a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

antecedent

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.

caricature

an exaggerated portrayal of one's features

Euphemism

a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.

Paradox

A statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.

Allusion

A reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art

Antimetabole

repetition of words, in successive clauses, in reverse grammatical order

Colloquialism

informal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing

homily

This term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.

Parody

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.

Ambiguity

The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.

Antithesis

the direct opposite, a sharp contrast

Conceit

A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.

Hyperbole

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

pedantic

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

Anadiplosis

Figure of repetition that occurs when the last word or terms in one sentence, clause, or phrase is/are repeated at or very near the beginning of the next sentence, clause, or phrase.

Aphorism

A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle.

invective

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

Litotes

A form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite

Polysyndeton

the use, for rhetorical effect, of more conjunctions than is necessary or natural

Anesis

A figure of addition occurs when a concluding sentence, clause, or phrase is added to a statement which purposely diminishes the effect of what has been previously stated.

EX: "This year's space budget is three times what it was in January 1961, and it is greater than the space budget of the previous eight years combined. That budget now stands at 5 billion, 400 million dollars a year -- a staggering sum, though somewhat less than we pay for cigarettes and cigars every year." -- John F. Kennedy,

didacticism

instructiveness in a work, one purpose of which is to give guidance, particularly in moral, ethical, or religious matters

Metonym

a figure of speech in which a thing or concept is not called by its own name, but by the name of something intimately associated with that thing or concept.

EX#1: a news release that claims "the White House declared" rather than "the President declared"

oxymoron

from the Greek for "pointedly foolish," an oxymoron is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox. Simple examples include "jumbo shrimp" and "cruel kindness."

Synecdoche

a figure of comparison in which a word standing for part of something is used for the whole of that thing or vice versa; any part or portion or quality of a thing used to stand for the whole of the thing or vice versa

EX: To refer to a boat as a "sail"; to refer to a car as "wheels"; to refer to the violins, violas, etc. in an orchestra as "the strings."

non sequitur

A statement that does not follow logically from evidence

EX: I've lived in this town a long time - why, my grandfather was the first mayor - so I'm against putting fluoride in the drinking water.

Hasty Generalization

A fallacy in which a faulty conclusion is reached because of inadequate evidence.

EX: Women are too emotion to fight in combat.

either/or reasoning

When the writer reduces an argument or issue to two polar opposites and ignores any alternatives.

EX: What's to be done about the trade imbalance with Asia? Either we ban all Asian imports, or American industry will collapse.

ad hominem

a fallacy that attacks the person rather than dealing with the real issue in dispute

EX: Mayor Burns is divorced and estranged from his family. How can we listen to his pleas for a city nursing home?

Slippery Slope

A fallacy that assumes that taking a first step will lead to subsequent steps that cannot be prevented

EX: "We've got to stop them from banning pornography. Once they start banning one form of literature, they will never stop. Next thing you know, they will be burning all the books!"

Straw Man

A fallacy that occurs when a speaker chooses a deliberately poor or oversimplified example in order to ridicule and refute an idea.

EX: "Senator Jones says that we should not fund the attack submarine program. I disagree entirely. I can't understand why he wants to leave us defenseless like that."

apathetic

showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern

choleric

(adj.) easily made angry, bad-tempered

indignant

feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment

patronizing

treating with condescension; acting superior

sardonic

grimly or scornfully mocking, bitterly sarcastic

contemplative

studying, thinking, reflecting on an issue

forthright

directly frank without hesitation

morose

having a gloomy or sullen manner; not friendly or sociable

reverent

feeling or showing deep and solemn respect