AP English Language & Composition - Vocabulary and Key Terms (Rhetorical Strategies, Essay Structure, Fallacies, Modes of Discourse)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering rhetorical strategies and devices, essay structure terms, logical fallacies, and modes of discourse from the lecture notes.

Allusion

A brief reference to a person, event, place, or work of art.

Analogy

A comparison between two things to explain or clarify an idea.

Anaphora

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

Antithesis

Juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases.

Apostrophe

Directly addressing an absent or imaginary person, object, or idea.

Colloquialism

The use of informal words or slang in writing.

Connotation

The implied or suggested meaning of a word beyond its dictionary definition.

Denotation

The literal, dictionary definition of a word.

Diction

The choice of words used by a writer.

Ethos

An appeal to credibility or character.

Hyperbole

Deliberate exaggeration for emphasis or effect.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.

Irony

A contrast between expectation and reality (verbal, situational, or dramatic).

Juxtaposition

Placing two elements side by side to present a contrast.

Logos

An appeal to logic or reason.

Metaphor

A direct comparison between two unlike things.

Metonymy

Substitution of one term with another that is closely related.

Paradox

A statement that seems contradictory but reveals a truth.

Thesis Statement

The central argument or claim of an essay.

Topic Sentence

A sentence that expresses the main idea of a paragraph.

Evidence

Facts, examples, or quotes used to support an argument.

Commentary

The explanation of how evidence supports the claim.

Conclusion

The final paragraph that summarizes the essay and reinforces the thesis.

Audience

The intended readers or listeners of a text.

Context

The circumstances surrounding a text, including historical and cultural factors.

Purpose

The author's reason for writing (to inform, persuade, entertain, etc.).

Style

The author's distinct way of expressing ideas through diction, syntax, and tone.

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences.

Synthesis

Combining multiple sources to form a cohesive argument.

Ad Hominem

Attacking the person rather than the argument.

Appeal to Authority

Using the opinion of an authority figure instead of evidence.

Bandwagon Appeal

Suggesting that one should do something because everyone else is.

False Dilemma

Presenting only two options when more exist.

Hasty Generalization

Drawing a conclusion from insufficient evidence.

Red Herring

Introducing irrelevant information to distract from an argument.

Slippery Slope

Suggesting that one small step will inevitably lead to a chain of negative events.

Straw Man

Misrepresenting an argument to make it easier to attack.

Narration

Telling a story or recounting events.

Description

Using sensory details to portray a person, place, or thing.

Exemplification

Providing examples to support a claim.

Cause and Effect

Explaining reasons why something happened or the results of an event.

Comparison and Contrast

Examining similarities and differences.

Definition

Explaining the meaning of a term or concept.

Classification and Division

Organizing items into categories.

Process Analysis

Explaining the steps in a process.

Argumentation

Using logic and reasoning to persuade.

Parallelism

Using similar grammatical structures to emphasize related ideas.

Pathos

An appeal to emotion.

Personification

Giving human traits to non-human things.

Rhetorical Question

A question posed for effect, not meant to be answered.

Simile

A comparison using "like" or "as."

Synecdoche

A figure of speech where a part represents the whole.

Tone

The writer's attitude toward the subject.

Claim

The main argument or position in an essay.

Counterargument

An argument that opposes the main claim.

Refutation

The act of disproving an opposing argument.

Concession

Where one acknowledges a point made by one's opponent.

Qualifier

A word or phrase that limits the strength of a claim (e.g. "usually," "probably").

Rebuttal

Evidence or reasoning used to weaken an opposing argument.