LINGO pt. 1

Diction

word choice, particularly as an element of style (Is the writer’s diction formal? full of whimsy or street slang? clinical?)

Colloquial

language that is informal and conversational. A colloquialism is a word or expression that is commonplace and well-known within a specific language, geographic region, or historical era

Slang

 informal words and phrases that are created among a small group of people or a specific subculture

Jargon

technical terms used by people within a specific profession or trade, many which would not make sense to people outside of that particular industry

Denotation

the literal dictionary definition(s) of a word, devoid of any emotion or attitude. One word can have multiple denotations and definitions can change over time

Connotation

the associations and emotions suggested by a word (which can be subjective and can change, depending on how a word is used and the experiences people associate with it). Implied meaning rather than literal meaning. A word’s connotation can be positive, negative, neutral, etc.

Exigence

what causes an author to write or a speaker to speak in the first place. It’s the event, the sense of urgency, the problem that requires attention right now, the argument that must be refuted, the situation that has arisen that prompts someone to create a rhetorical message for an audience

Concession

accepting or acknowledging at least part or all of an opposing position and/or acknowledging a weakness in our own argument. Speakers/writers often make a concession to build credibility and trust. They make their argument stronger by demonstrating a willingness to accept what is obviously true and reasonable, even if it is presented by the opposition. Even simply recognizing our awareness of perspectives that differ from our own can be a form of concession

Qualifiers/To Qualify An Argument

words or phrases we add to put a healthy, reasonable limitation on our argument so as to avoid an absolute claim (See next term below). Academic argument is typically about probability and possibility, not certainty, so it’s more credible to use qualifiers such as many, often, some, few, possibly, perhaps OR X is true, especially when OR I agree but only if...

Absolutes/Absolute Statement

Absolutes are words free from limitations or qualifications, such as always, all, never, must, everyone, etc. See the explanation above for “Qualifiers” about why we often should avoid absolutes when making an argument.

Conditional Statement

an if-then statement that consists of two parts—the “IF” and the consequence or result that happens “IF…” Conditional statements are often used as premises in an argument:

Genre

the major category in which a written work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama. However, genres can be subdivided as well. Prose can be categorized as fiction or nonfiction. The AP Language exam deals primarily with the subgenres of the nonfiction category: autobiography, biography, memoir, diaries, criticism, essays, literary nonfiction, and journalistic, political, scientific, and nature writing.

Satire

a work in which the writer/artist often employs satirical techniques (such as irony, exaggeration, irony, understatement, contrast) to criticize some element of life, usually to a humorous effect. The satirist targets human vices, behaviors, social institutions, decisions, policies, etc. but, instead of a serious lecture or speech, employs mockery to get at more serious truths.

Parody

a work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect or ridicule. Satire sometimes utilizes parody but not all parodies are satire. 

Expose

an article, book, or essay that brings a scandal, crime, etc. to public notice, often disclosing previously unknown details that discredit that subject.

Exposition/Expository

writing or speech primarily intended to convey information or to explain (as opposed to argue or persuade). Many newspaper stories (other than editorials) are expository—attempting to communicate facts without bias or taking a side.

Diatribe

a speech or piece of writing that features a bitter or violent criticism or attack; a denunciation. Synonyms: tirade; harangue

Didactic

a term describing works that have the primary aim of instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles and/or behavior. *Sometimes this adjective can be used as a criticism of writing that audiences/readers find too preachy, overly moralistic, or condescending. When attempting to build credibility and trust with an audience, a speaker might avoid an overly didactic tone—for example using “we” rather than “you,” so as not to be perceived as judging or scolding the audience.