Ap Lang Midterm

Rhetorical Essay

Narration

Writing that tells a story by presenting events in a logical sequence.

Description

Writing that uses sensory details to create a vivid picture of a person, place, or thing.

Definition

Writing that explains the meaning of a term or concept by providing a detailed explanation and examples.

Classification

Writing that organizes items into categories based on shared characteristics.

Process Analysis

Writing that explains how something works or how to do something, often step by step.

Problem/Solution

Writing that identifies an issue and proposes ways to resolve it.

Exemplification

Writing that provides examples to clarify or support a point.

Cause and Effect

Writing that analyzes the reasons something happened or the results of an event or action.

Comparison and Contrast

Writing that examines similarities and differences between two or more subjects.

Persuasion / Argumentation

Writing that aims to convince the audience of a specific viewpoint or course of action.

Repetition

The deliberate reuse of words or phrases to emphasize a point or theme.

Anaphora

The repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.

Epistrophe

The repetition of the same word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences.

Juxtaposition

Placing two contrasting ideas, images, or statements close together to highlight differences or create an effect.

Compare and Contrast

A method of organizing writing that examines both similarities and differences between two subjects.

Allusion

A reference to a well-known person, place, event, or work of art or literature to enrich meaning.

Parallelism

The use of similar grammatical structures or patterns to create balance and rhythm in writing.

Hasty Generalization

Drawing a conclusion based on insufficient or selective evidence.

Faulty Causality (Post Hoc)

Confusing chronology with causation, assuming that one event caused another because it followed it.

Non Sequitur

A statement that does not logically follow from what preceded it.

Equivocation

A half-truth that purposefully obscures the whole truth.

Begging the Question

Making an argument that assumes its conclusion without providing evidence; circular reasoning.

Faulty Analogy

Making an inaccurate or misleading comparison between two things.

Stacked Evidence

Presenting only one side of an argument to distort the issue.

Red Herring

Introducing an irrelevant issue to distract from the main argument.

Sentimental Appeals

Using emotion to distract from facts.

Scare Tactics

Frightening people into agreeing by predicting dire consequences.

Bandwagon Appeals

Encouraging agreement by suggesting that 'everyone else is doing it.'

Slippery Slope

Suggesting that one action will inevitably lead to another, often disastrous, outcome.

Either/Or Choices

Oversimplifying an argument by presenting only two options.

False Need

Creating an unnecessary desire for something.

False Authority

Asking the audience to accept a claim based on the authority of someone unqualified.

Using Authority Instead of Evidence

Offering personal authority as proof.

Guilt by Association

Discrediting someone by examining the character of their associates.

Dogmatism

Asserting that a belief is the only acceptable one, shutting down discussion.

Moral Equivalence

Comparing minor problems to much more serious issues.

Ad Hominem

Attacking the person instead of the argument.

Strawperson

Misrepresenting an argument to easily refute it.

Fallacy

The use of poor, deceptive reasoning for the construction of an argument.

Accidental Fallacies

Mistakes in reasoning that arise unintentionally.