AP Lang Summer Assignment

Audience

Who the writing is meant for

Absolutes

Avoid terms like (always, never, everything, etc) that result in an extreme generalization

Alusion

A reference to something that the author assumes the reader will recognize.

Analogy

A comparison of two different things that are similar in some way.

Anaphora

Repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginning of continuous clauses.

Anecdote

A brief narrative that focuses on a particular incident or event

Antecedent

The word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers

Antithesis

A statement in which two opposing ideas are balanced

Aphorism

A concise statement that expresses precisely a general truth or idea, often using rhyme or balance.

Asyndeton

A construction in which elements are presented in a series without conjunctions

Authors Purpose

A writers reason for or intent in writing

Cliché

An expression that has been overused to the extent that it’s freshness has worn off

Colloquialism

informal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing

Concrete details

details that relate to or describe actual, specific things, or events

Connotation

The implied or associative meaning of a word (home).

Context

The time, place, and circumstances surrounding the speakers text.

Concession

An acknowledgment of a valid point made by an opposing viewpoint

Comparison

Comparison of different people, things, subjects, etc to create meaningful connection or offer clarification (i.e. analogy or metaphor)

Deductive reasoning

An argument in which it is thought that the premises (reasons) are true so the conclusion must be true (no other way).

Denotation

The dictionary definition of a word

Definition

Defining a term for clarity

Detail

Specific information that often adds clarity

Dialect

A kind of speech characterized by its own grammar or pronunciation often associated with a particular geographical region (Y’all - southern region).

Diction

The word choices made by a writer (formal, semi-formal,…).

Exemplification

Using specific examples to clarify a point and/or to persuade

Exigence

What has compelled/inspired the speaker to speak?

Imagery

Vivid and descriptive language that appeals to the five senses.

Implication

A suggestion an author or speaker implies

Note: reader/audience infers

Inductive reasoning

Attain general principles from particular facts or instances (every cat i’ve seen has 4 legs).

Jargon

the specialized language or vocabulary of a particular group or profession

Logos

appeal to reason or logic

Metonymy

Substituting the name of one object for another object closely associated with it.

Mood

the emotional atmosphere of a work

Paradox

An seemingly contradictory statement that actually contains some truth

Parallelism

Two or more phrases or words with similar grammatical form, patterns, and length.

ex: “pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe”

Pathos

(emotional) means persuading by connecting to the readers emotions

Point of view

Authors use of pronouns to tell the story (I/me/she/he/you)

Polysyndeton

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

Rhetoric

the art of presenting ideas in a clear, effective, and persuasive manner.

Rhetorical question

Question not asked for information but effect

Rhetorical choices

The choices a writer makes to heighten the effectiveness of expression, communication, and persuasion.

Satire

A literary device which people, customs, or institutions are mocked with the purpose of improving society.

Speaker

the person writing the text

Style

The writing/genre choices a writer makes

Synecdoche

using one part of an object to represent the entire object (car → wheels).

Syntax

the manner in which words are arranged into sentences

Thesis/Claim

The primary position/arguement taken by a writer or speaker

Tone

the attitude of a writer, usually implied, toward their topic

Ethos (credibility)

Appeals to ethics, morality, authority, and credibility. Basically, the individual tries to convince others to support them.

Rhetorical Situation

Speakers using speaker, purpose, audience, context, and exigence to be effective/impactful to their audience.