AP Language and Composition Rhetorical and Grammatical Terms

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering literary, rhetorical, and grammatical terms and devices from the transcript.

Sentence Types

sentences are divided into types based on their function (statement, question, command, exclamation)

Subject Complement

the word (with any accompanying phrases) or clause that follows a linking verb and complements or completes the subject of the sentence by renaming it or describing it

Subject/Verb Agreement

subjects and verbs should agree in number and person

Subordinate Clause

a word group containing both a subject and a verb, but cannot stand alone, express a complete thought, without an independent clause

Subordination

the use of words or word groups to indicate that some elements in a sentence are less important than others

Passive Voice

when a verb expresses what is done to the subject rather than what the subject does

Periodic Sentence

a sentence in which the main clause is at the end of the sentence, near the period

Predicate Adjective

one type of subject complement—an adjective, group of adjectives, or an adjective clause that follows a linking verb. It is in the predicate of a sentence and modifies or describes the subject of the sentence

Predicate Nominative

one type of subject complement—a noun, group of nouns, or a noun clause that renames the subject. If follows a linking verb and is located in the predicate

Prepositional Phrase

a word group consisting of a preposition and its object plus any modifiers. A prepositional phrase usually functions as an adjective or as an adverb

Relative Clause

a subordinate clause beginning with a relative pronoun such as who or that and functioning as an adjective

Sentence Structure

four basic sentences structures are possible: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex

Adverb Clause

a clause that begins with a subordinating conjunction (e.g. when, because), and, like adverbs, usually tells how, why, when, where, under what conditions, or with what result

Antecedent

the word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun

Clause

a grammatical unit that includes a subject and a verb

Coordination

the linking of two or more elements in a sentence that are equally important in meaning, usually with words such as and, but and or

Gerund

the name given to the –ing form of the verb when it serves as a noun

Infinitive

the name given to the ‘to’ form of a verb. Infinitives may function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs

Loose Sentence

type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses

Participial Phrase

a word group consisting of the –ing or –ed verb form plus any objects or modifiers that functions as an adjective

Abstract

that which is intangible, not of the physical world

Ad Homimen (to the man)

distorts the argument by attacking the opponent’s character, sometimes through the use of labels, stereotypes, etc. to arouse emotions, prejudices

Allegory

a form of extended metaphor in which characters and /or story elements are used to convey symbolic meaning in addition to literal meaning

Alliteration

repetition of initial consonant sounds

Allusion

a casual and brief reference to a famous historical event, literary figure, etc.

Ambiguity

the multiple meanings, intentional or not, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage

Analogy

comparison between two different things or the relationship between them

Anecdote

a story or illustration used to arouse reader interest and to develop author’s purpose

Tone

the speaker’s/author’s attitude towards the reader or subject matter; adjective describing the mood or atmosphere of the work

Tongue-in-cheek

meant or expressed ironically or facetiously

Transition

words and phrases used to convey movement from one place/ time/idea to another

Understatement

to minimize for effect

Unifying Image

pervading and recurring sensory appeal which conveys and connects meaning

Voice

a vague metaphorical term referring to characteristics displayed by the narrator/poetic speaker assessed in terms of tone, style, and personality

Witticism

an invention, in speech or writing, of clever and skillful invention, usually humorous

Semantics

the philosophical or linguistic study of meanings in language

Simile

direct, expressed comparison between two things essentially unlike each other, but resembling each other in at least one way

Style

the manner of expression of a particular writer, produced by choice of words, grammatical structures, syntax, imagery, use of literary devices, and all the possible parts of language use

Syllogism

a form of logical argument that derives a conclusion from two propositions sharing a common term. The conclusion is reliable if the two propositions are true

Synecdoche

figure of speech in which something is referred to indirectly, either by naming some part to it, or by naming some more comprehensive quality of which it is a part

Syntax

the way in which words and clauses are ordered and connected so as to form sentences: or the set of rules governing such order

Theme

an abstract meaning, lesson, or moral that emerges from a literary work. The theme may be announced explicitly, but more often it emerges indirectly through the recurrences of motifs

Thesis

an argument or proposition which is argued

Time Shifts

changes in time achieved through verb tense

Anti-climax

an abrupt lapse from growing intensity to triviality in writing

Antithesis

compares two things, which are alike in several respects, for the purpose of explaining or clarifying some unfamiliar or difficult idea by showing how the ‘difficult’ idea or object is similar to the familiar one

Antithetical Construction

can convey some sense of complexity in a person or idea by admitting opposite or nearly opposite truths

Aphorism

a statement of some general principle, expressed memorably by condensing much wisdom into a few words

Apostrophe

interrupts the discussion or discourse and addresses directly a person or personified thing, either present or absent. Its most common purpose in prose is to give vent to or display intense emotion, which can no longer be held back

Appeals

persuasive techniques to influence the audience: Emotional (pathos), Ethical (ethos), Logical (logos)

Argument

the set of opinions expounded in a work and capable of being paraphrased as a logical sequence of propositions

Authorial Persona

the person created by the author to tell a story. Whether the story is told by an omniscient narrator or by a character in it, the actual author of the work often distances himself from what is said or told by adopting a persona-a personality different from his real one

Begging the Question

occurs when part of what has to be proved is assumed to be true, or when there is a circular argument

Cause/effect relationships

relationships in which something happens (cause) to produce a result (effect)

Colloquialism

the use of informal expression appropriate to everyday speech rather than to the formality of writing

Conceit

a fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between dissimilar objects. A conceit usually displays intellectual cleverness due to the unusual comparison being made

Concession

in argument, to agree to or to surrender to an opponent’s point

Concrete

that which is tangible, of the physical world

Connotation

the non-literal, associative meaning of a word: the implied, suggested meaning which may involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes

Contrast

differences between two things

Repetition

the duplication, exact or approximate, or any element of language-sound, word, phrase, sentence, grammatical pattern. Effects may be to unify or emphasize

Rhetoric

from the Greek for ‘orator’, this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively. The usual modern meaning of ‘rhetoric’ implies empty and ineffectual grandness in public speaking

Rhetorical Devices/Features

those aspects of a work that persuade or guide the responses of the audience

Rhetorical Modes

this flexible term describes the variety, the conventions, and the purposes of the major kinds of writing. The four most common are: exposition, argumentation, description, and narration

Rhetorical Question

question asked for the sake of persuasive effect rather than as a genuine request for information. It is also used for emphasis, or provocation, or for drawing a conclusionary statement from the facts at hand

Romanticism

poetry or prose that related improbable adventures of highly glorified and idealized characters in an enchanted or remote setting. Emphasizes individual self-expression, originality, heroism, imagination

Sarcasm

a form of verbal irony, expressing sneering, personal disapproval in the guise of praise

Satire

manner of writing that mixes a critical attitude with wit and humor in an effort to improve mankind and human institutions

Poetry

language sung, chanted, spoken or written according to some pattern of recurrence that emphasized the relationships between words on the basis of sound as well as sense

Point-of-View

the position or vantage point from which the events of a story seem to be observed and presented to us

Polemic

a thorough written attack on some opinion or policy

Post hoc, ergo propter hoc (after this, therefore because of this)

asserts a direct cause and effect relationship which may or may not be true

Pot-boiler

a derogatory term for a work written solely to make money

Prose

referring to all forms of fiction and nonfiction because they are written in ordinary language and most closely resemble everyday speech. Technically, anything that isn’t drama or poetry is prose

Pun

an expression that achieves emphasis or humor by creating an abiguity (two distinct meanings being suggested by the same word or by two similarly sounding words)

Purple Patch

an over-written passage in which the author has strained too hard to achieve an impressive effect

Realism

a mode of writing that gives the impression of ‘recording’ or ‘reflecting’ faithfully an actual way of life. It is based on detailed accuracy of description (verisimilitude) and rejects ‘romance’-escapism, idealism, heroism, extravagant qualities

Deduction

begins with a general statement/major premise, is restricted by a minor premise, which leads to a specific conclusion

Defend, challenge, or qualify

support, attack, or determine conditions

Denotation

the strict, literal, dictionary meaning of a word

Diction

the choice of words used in a literary work

Didactic

instructive; designed to impart information, advice, morality, or philosophy

Discourse

any extended use of speech or writing; or a formal exposition or dissertation

Digression

a temporary departure from one subject to another subject more or less distantly related before the first subject is resumed

Dramatic Monologue

kind of poem in which single fictional or historical character other than the poet speaks to a silent “audience” of one or more persons. Such poems reveal not the poet’s own thoughts but the mind of the impersonated character, whose personality is revealed unwittingly

Ellipsis

the omission from a sentence a word or words that would be required for complete clarity but can usually be understood from the context AND the sequence of … used to indicate the omission of text

Epigram

a short poem with a witty turn of thought; a wittily condensed expression in prose

Equivocation

to deliberately use misleading or confusing language with the intent to deceive

Ethos

argument based on the writer’s credibility and character

Euphemism

the substitution of a mild or less negative word or phrase for a harsh or blunt word

Extended Definition

qualify or limit the meaning of abstract, disputed, or complex words

Extended Metaphor

comparison developed throughout the text

Fallacies

error in reasoning, unintentional or intentional (to influence the reader), which simplify or distort evidence

False/Faulty Analogy

argues that because two things are alike in some ways, they are alike in all ways

Parallel Syntax

recurrent syntactical similarity. In this structural arrangement several parts of a sentence or several sentences are developed and phrased similarly to show that the ideas in the parts or sentences are equal in importance. It also adds balance and rhythm and, most importantly, clarity to the sentence

Parody

satiric imitation of a work or of an author with the idea of ridiculing the author, his ideas, or work

Pathos

the emotionally moving quality or power of a literary work which appeals especially to the feelings of sorrow, pity, and compassionate sympathy

Pedantic

overly concerned with the narrow, bookish set of rules or learning

Persona

the assumed identity or fictional “I” (literally a mask) assumed by a writer

Personification

metaphorically represents an animal or inanimate object as having human attributes—attributes of form, character, feelings, behavior, and so on. Ideas and abstractions can also be personified