AP Lang

claim

a writer’s defensible position that includes a unifying idea and perspective about the subject, informal version of thesis

thesis

the formal expression of a writer’s claim (idea and perspective) about a subject

rhetorical situation

the strategic and intentional decisions a writer makes to achieve specific effects

exigence

the part of a rhetorical situation that inspires, stimulates, or provokes a writer to create a text.

purpose

the goal that a writer hopes to accomplish within a text (e.g, to persuade, narrate, explain, evaluate)

claim (positition)

perspective + idea

fact

a truth be known by acting on experience or observation, something known to be true

anecdote

a brief account of a particular incident or event

analogy

a comparison based upon similar features of two things

statistic

a numerical fact or set of data

example

an instance used to illustrate

detail

a piece of information

illustration

a picture, photograph, diagram, cartoon, chart artwork, info graphic, or other visual

expert opinion

testimony that comes from a credible source in a particular field

personal observation

something that the writer has seen

personal experience

something that the writer has firsthand knowledge of

testimony

a statement made by someone who has experience but not necessarily as an expert

experiment

an observation generated under a controlled condition

commentary=

explanation

pathos

appeals to emotion, writers attempting to move audience towards specific action or belief

logos

appeals to logic, writers make clear and detailed arguments

ethos

appeals to credibility, writers relate to audience by shared values, writer persuades audience by using background, character, status, position, or association

STAR

Sufficient evidence (quality & quantity), Typical evidence (reps. a population or issue, BALANCED), Accurate evidence (can be verified), Relevant evidence (when writer connects & explains significance to line of reasoning)

Inductive

claim and call to action in the end of the text

Deductive

claim at the beginning and call to action at the end

repetition

rhetorical strategy where writer uses a WORD two or more times for effect or emphasis

juxtaposition

presentation of evidence or examples side by side to emphasize similarities or differences, often in context of ideas or values

parallel structure

repetition of words or phrases in similar syntax (word order) to emphasize equality between words, subjects, & ideas

rhetorical question

syntactical device that writer uses to compel audience to pause & reflect rather than respond w/ a literal answer

antithesis

contrast of ideas presented in parallel grammatical structure

fragment

emphasizes an idea by focusing on a particular phrase or a part of a sentence

simple sentence

draws attention and emphasizes idea

Logos types of evidence

research, charts, graphs, expert sources, allusions

Pathos types of evidence

figurative language, imagery, connotations, allusions, sensory details

Ethos types of evidence

sincerity, writer’s authority & experience, concession, reputation, reliable sources

Context

time, place, occasion that a text was created, delivered, or read

Synthesis

argument that integrates multiple sources to support a claim

Source

provides information for an argument. some of these are more reliable or credible than others

Evidence

information, details, and/or data used to support a reason within an argument

Mode of Development

the organizational strategy or rhetorical structure a writer uses to build, arrange, and support ideas within a paragraph or passage

Process Analysis

a method of development that explains how something works, how to do something, or how something is/was done

Expository Argument

A rhetorical purpose that gives an explanation of a subject, often through definition, process, or causality

Introduction

the opening of an argument that engages the audience, establishes the writer’s purpose, & provides context for the subject

Introduction techniques

quotations (convey writer’s idea), statements (abt subject or idea a.k.a. facts), anecdotes (connect writer/audience to topic), questions (Abt subject or ideas), data or statistics (suggests relevance and urgency), Contextualized info. (provides background audience may not be familiar with-not hook), scenario or case studies (illustrate problem, issue, or importance of subject & idea)

Conclusion

the ending of an argument that brings unity & closure to the reasoning

Concluding Techniques

explaining significance of argument within broader context, make connections, call audience to act/suggest change in behavior or attitude, propose a solution, leave audience w/ compelling image, explain implications, connect to intro. (Full circle moment)