AP English Language and Composition — Rhetorical Terms (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering rhetorical terms and related concepts from the notes.

Active voice

The subject performs the action; structure is subject + verb + object.

Passive voice

The action is performed on the subject; often formed with a form of 'to be' plus past participle.

Allusion

A brief reference to a person, place, thing, or event outside the text.

Analogy

A comparison between two unlike things to explain or clarify.

Anecdote

A short personal story used to illustrate a point.

Antecedent

The noun or noun phrase that a pronoun refers to.

Antithesis

Juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases or clauses.

Aphorism

A concise, memorable statement of a general truth or principle.

Appeal to emotion

Persuasion by eliciting readers' emotions

Appeal to ethics

Persuasion by establishing the speaker's credibility or character

Appeal to logic

Persuasion by using reason and evidence

Cliche

An overused, stereotyped expression.

Colloquialism

Informal language appropriate to conversation or region.

Complex sentence

A sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Compound sentence

Two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or semicolon.

Compound-complex sentence

A sentence containing at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

Imperative sentence

A sentence that gives a command or request.

Balanced sentence

A sentence with two or more parallel parts that are balanced in length and structure.

Abstract

A concept or idea not concrete or tangible.

Concrete

Something tangible and specific, perceivable by the senses.

Connotation

The implied or suggested meaning beyond the literal definition.

Denotation

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word.

Dialect

A regional or social variety of a language.

Diction

Word choice; the author's style of language.

Didactic

Intended to teach, often with a moral or instructive aim.

Ellipsis

Omission of one or more words; can be used for effect.

Euphemism

A mild or indirect word substituted for a harsh one.

Figurative Language

Language that uses figures of speech (metaphor, simile, etc.).

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally.

Idiom

A phrase whose meaning cannot be inferred from the literal words.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.

Implication

A suggestion or hint not explicitly stated.

Inductive reasoning

Reasoning from specific instances to a general conclusion.

Deductive reasoning

Reasoning from a general principle to a specific conclusion.

Inference

A conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning.

Invective

Harsh, abusive language or criticism.

Inverted syntax

Reversal of the normal word order for emphasis or variety.

Irony

A contrast between expectation and reality; includes verbal, situational, dramatic irony.

Jargon

Specialized language of a particular field or group.

Juxtaposition

Placement of two or more elements side by side for contrast or comparison.

Logical fallacy

A flaw in reasoning that weakens an argument.

Malapropism

The mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often humorous.

Paradox

A statement that seems self-contradictory but reveals truth.

Parallelism

Use of similar grammatical structures in related phrases or clauses.

Parody

Humorous or satirical imitation of a work.

Parentalhetical

Related to or placed in parentheses; a remark inserted as an aside.

Rhetoric

The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing.

Rhetorical question

A question asked for effect, not requiring an answer.

Satire

A genre that uses humor, irony, and ridicule to critique flaws.

Style

The author's distinctive way of writing, including diction and syntax.

Syntax

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

Thesis

The central claim or argument of a text.

Tone

The author's or speaker's attitude toward the subject or audience.

Understatement

Presenting something as less significant than it actually is; often ironic.

Vernacular

The language or dialect spoken by ordinary people in a region.

Line of reasoning

The logical progression of claims and evidence leading to a conclusion.

Analysis

Explanation of how evidence supports a claim.

Organization

Structure of a piece, including intro, body, conclusion, and transitions.

Control of Language

Facility with spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence construction.