AP Language & Literature Vocabulary Units 1 and 2

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering rhetorical concepts, logical fallacies, literary elements, and vocabulary words from Units 1 and 2.

Argument

A spoken, written, or visual text that expresses a point of view or a reason/set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others.

Thesis

A statement or central claim that sums up the main point, argument, or position of a text or essay.

Claim

An assertion or proposition that states a main idea or position in an argument, requiring support and evidence.

Evidence

Facts, statistics, examples, expert opinions, or other details used to support a claim or thesis.

Reasoning

The logical thinking or rationale that links the evidence to the claim, explaining how the evidence supports the argument.

Commentary

Analysis or explanation offered by a writer that connects evidence to the claim and demonstrates its significance.

Explanation

A statement or account that makes a concept, idea, or relationship clear and understandable.

Counterclaim in an argument

An opposing argument or perspective that challenges or contradicts the primary claim of an argument.

Concession in an argument

An acknowledgment or admission that an opposing argument or point has validity or merit.

Refute in an argument

To prove an opposing statement, claim, or argument to be false, incorrect, or invalid using evidence and logic.

Rebuttal in an argument

The response or counterargument that directly addresses and rebuts an opposing viewpoint or counterclaim.

Fallacies

Errors or flaws in reasoning that invalidate or weaken an argument.

Hasty Generalization

A logical fallacy in which a conclusion is reached based on insufficient, biased, or unrepresentative evidence.

Ad Populum

A logical fallacy that appeals to popular opinion, widespread belief, or bandwagon sentiment rather than logical evidence.

Ad Hominem

A logical fallacy that attacks the opponent's character or personal traits instead of addressing their argument.

Red Herring

A logical fallacy that introduces an irrelevant topic or distraction to divert attention from the main issue.

Moral Equivalence

A logical fallacy that compares two unrelated situations or actions as if they are morally identical, ignoring key differences.

Slippery Slope

A logical fallacy that asserts a minor initial action will inevitably trigger a chain reaction of extreme or disastrous consequences.

Audience

The intended readership, listenership, or viewership of a text, speech, or performance.

Consensus

A general agreement or shared opinion among a group of people.

Figurative

Expressive language that uses figures of speech (such as metaphors or similes) and is not meant to be taken literally.

Literal

Taking words in their exact, primary, or plain meaning, without metaphor or exaggeration.

Inferred

Derived or deduced as a conclusion from evidence and reasoning rather than explicit statements.

Omission

The act of leaving out, excluding, or passing over specific details, facts, or information.

Purpose

The author's goal or intention in creating a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or analyze.

Credibility

The quality of being believable, trustworthy, and authoritative.

Bias

A prejudice or inclination in favor of or against one thing, person, or group, often in an unfair way.

Anecdote

A short, engaging story about a real incident or person used to illustrate a point or connect with the audience.

Expert Testimony

Evidence, quotes, or opinions provided by an authority or expert in a specific field to support an argument.

Position

The stance, perspective, or point of view an author takes on an issue or topic.

Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject matter or audience, conveyed through diction and style.

Mood

The emotional atmosphere or feeling created for the reader or audience by a text.

Kairos

The opportune, critical, or appropriate moment, timing, or context for delivering a message or making an argument.

Rhetorical Appeals

Strategic methods of persuasion used to influence an audience, specifically ethos, pathos, and logos.

Ethos

A rhetorical appeal to credibility, authority, character, or moral standing.

Pathos

A rhetorical appeal to the audience's emotions, values, or sympathies.

Logos

A rhetorical appeal to logic, reason, statistics, evidence, and structured argumentation.

The Rhetorical Situation

The context surrounding a communication, comprising the speaker, purpose, audience, context, and exigence.

Speaker

The persona, author, or voice presenting a text or speech to an audience.

Context

The time, place, historical circumstances, and social background surrounding a text or event.

Exigence

The immediate event, issue, problem, or prompt that motivates or triggers a speaker to create a text.

Rhetorical Choices

The deliberate stylistic, structural, and linguistic decisions a writer or speaker makes to achieve their purpose.

Devaluation

The reduction or loss of value, importance, or worth of something.

Exodus

A mass departure or movement of a large number of people from a place.

Silo

A system, department, or group that operates in isolation from others.

Apocryphal

Of doubtful authenticity or origin, though widely circulated as being true.

Uninhabitable

Unsuitable or unfit for living or dwelling in.

Diction

The author's specific choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.

Connotative Diction

Word choice that carries secondary, emotional, or cultural associations beyond its explicit dictionary meaning.

Denotative Diction

Word choice that relies on the exact, literal dictionary definition of a word, free from emotional associations.

Gist Statement

A concise summary that captures the main idea or core essence of a text.

Allusion

An indirect or brief reference to a person, place, event, literary work, or historical event.

Bludgeons

Heavy clubs with a thick end, or used figuratively to force or attack relentlessly.

Conceptions

Ideas, mental representations, or ways of understanding concepts.

Cognitive

Relating to mental processes of perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning.

Ambiguity

The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; vagueness or uncertainty.

Timorous

Showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, or a lack of confidence.

Augers

Tools used for boring holes, or used figuratively to portend or foreshadow an outcome.

Coax

To persuade or influence someone gently and persistently to do something.

Assiduous

Showing great care, attention, and persistent effort.

Immunization

The process whereby a person is made resistant to an infectious disease, typically by administration of a vaccine.

Vaccine

A biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a specific infectious disease.

Plague

A contagious bacterial disease characterized by fever and delirium, or any widespread calamity or affliction.

Pediatricians

Medical doctors who specialize in the care, development, and diseases of infants, children, and adolescents.