All AP Lang devices

diction

Choice of words

regionalism

Language of a particular area

repetition

The use of repeating certain words or phrases to stress a point

Anaphora

Repetition of the beginning of multiple sentences (2+)

voice

The way the author expresses and writes

denotation

What the author is directly stating

connotation

What the author is implying

concrete language

Writing or words about tangible objects

abstract language

Writing or words about ideas/concepts

colloquialism

Slang Term/Generally accepted but not formal English

jargon

Language specific to a certain way of life, and jobs

cliches

Something that is overused/tired phrases

Transition

A way to move towards another section

Rhetorical questions

Question asked for an argument, not for an answer

Telegraphic sentence

Sentences with 5 or less words, concise

Periodic Sentence

A sentence where the main clause comes at the end

Cumulative sentence

Opposite of periodic; Main idea in the beginning of the sentence, and then the modifiers

tricolon

Series of 3 words, phrases, or sentences that are parallel in structure, length, and rhythm!

Polysyndeton

A list that contains more than 1 fanboys must be repeated!

pacing

The speed at which a piece moves, depending on punctuation

inversion

Distortion of the normal sentence order; subject verb object

Semantic fluency

Mixture of sentence lengths, types, and punctuation

Syntactic permutation

Difficult to follow, because it is TOO complex

Hypophora

Asking then answering their own question

Parallelism

The use of successive verbal construction, that corresponds in grammatical structure, sound, meter, meaning, etc.

Declarative sentence

Normal sentence; Sentence that ends with a period and makes a statement

Interrogative sentence

Sentence with a question mark at the end

Exclamatory sentence

Sentence that ends with an exclamation point

Imperative sentence

Sentence that commands

Phrase

A group of words that mean something but do not contain a subject and verb

Clause

A group of words with a subject and verb

Coordinating conjunctions

Fanboys… For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

Independent clause

A clause that can stand alone as an idea

Dependent clause

A clause that cannot stand alone as an idea

Simple sentence

Sentence that contains one independent clause

Compound Sentence

Sentence that contains 2(+) independent clauses

Complex Sentence

Contains 1 independent clause, and 1(+) dependent clauses

Compound-Complex Sentence

Contains 2(+) independent clauses, and 1(+) more dependent clauses

Thesis statement

(typically in Intro after background) Answers a question and takes a position

Comparison and Contrast

Showing similarities and differences between two or more similar things (object, idea, concepts)

Exemplification

Piece of writing that uses example for support of point

Cause and Effect

A composition that finds out reasons and results (typically about an event)

Chronology/Chronological

The arrangement of events or dates in the order of their occurrence.

Spatial

Relating to or occupying space / piece of writing organized by location

Process analysis

Exercise of analyzing processes to identify opportunities to improve the way they operate

Definition

A statement of the exact meaning of a term, concept, or idea

Narration/Narrative

The action or process of narrating a story.

description

a spoken or written representation or account of a person, object, or event / Specific detail reader can imagine

expository/exposition

Background information about events, setting, characters, or other elements

Anecdote / anecdotal

An interesting true short story or experience / Built around a story

Logic

a method of reasoning that helps prove arguments; Works by accessing the accuracy of statements

Logical fallacy

an argument based on misleading or impossible comparisons

Appeal to Ignorance

You can't prove to me that there are no martins living in caves under the surface of mars- therefore I believe it is sensible to say that there are.

Generalization

Uses members of a group to conclude something about all members

Straw Man

common fallacy where there was an intentionally misrepresented position; Set up because it EASIER to -refute than an opponent's actual argument

Ad Hominem

commenting against an opponent instead of the argument

Bandwagon Fallacy

is when you agree with the group; To join a cause or believe an argument because it's popular

False/weak Analogy

comparing 2 things that aren't really similar but seem to make sense

Non-sequitur

statement that does not follow the fundamentals principles of logic and reason

Black or White

Assumes that there are only two sides to an argument; No gray area

Loaded Question

is asking a question that contains a presumption, so that it is impossible to answer without accepting it (and appearing guilty).

deduction/deductive reasoning

Logical approach where you progress from evidence to specific conclusions; Gather evidence make conclusions

syllogism

A kind of logical argument that applies deductive reasoning to arrive at a conclusion based on 2 or more propositions

subjective/subjectivity

Arguments presented WITH personal bias

objective/objectivity

Arguments presented WITHOUT personal bias

emotional appeal

Making a point or argument using emotions; Counting on reader emotion

ethical appeal

supporting a point using one's own credentials or other expert credentials; Credibility, believability, etc.

logical appeal

Making a point or argument using logic; Usually through the use of statistics and studies

paradox

A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement that when investigated, may prove to be well founded or true.

Grandfather paradox

A paradox related to time travel and causality.

Archer's paradox

A situation where an archer must aim at a point to hit a target that is not directly in line with the arrow's path.

Liar's paradox

A statement that contradicts itself, such as 'This sentence is false.'

antithesis

Figure of speech in which a contrast of ideas is used to make an argument.

analogy

Comparison of two things or ideas.

negative/positive

Method of achieving emphasis by stating an idea twice: first in negative terms then in positive terms.

concession

Accepts all or a portion of competing claims as correct or acknowledges the limitations of an argument.

Rebuttal/refutation

It offers a contrasting perspective on an argument or provides alternative evidence to propose that all or a portion of a claim is invalid.

hyperbole/overstatement

A purposeful exaggeration or overly strong statement.

euphemism

A less severe way of writing/saying something harsh.

irony

A state of affairs or event that seems deliberately opposite to what one expects.

understatement

Presenting something as smaller or less important than it actually is.

litote

Using something negative to affirm something.

self-deprecation/self-effacement

Humor through putting oneself down.

sarcasm

Verbal irony.

oversimplification

Simplifying something to such an extent that a distorted impression is created.

caricature

Writing or artwork that exaggerated features for comic effect.

satire

Use of humor, irony, and exaggeration to ridicule human stupidity or vices.

parody

A type of satire that imitates other actions, movies, or political figures.

stereotype

A widely held but oversimplified image of a type of person or thing.

oxymoron

A self-contradicting statement; figure of speech in which opposites appear together.

theme

The main message or idea, usually recurring and can be expressed in typically 1-3 words.

symbolism

The use of objects, or even animals, to represent concepts.

synecdoche

The use of part of something to represent the whole.

metonymy

Living symbolism.

metaphor

A figurative comparison of two things.

motif

A recurring image or idea in a literary work.

tone

Author attitude

imagery

Descriptive language utilizing the 5 senses

hubris

Pride a character feels that leads to a downfall

extended metaphor

Comparison that extends throughout the whole text