AP Lang: Chapter 2 Vocabulary Terms

Rhetoric

the art of argumentation/persuasion

Rhetor

anyone who composes discourse that is intended to affect community thinking about events

Rhetorical Choice

all of the moves the speaker makes to enrich the persuasiveness and effectiveness of the text

Rhetorical Strategy

broad and overarching rhetorical choices that govern whole sections of text

The rhetorical appeals
Text structure/organization (chronological, compare contrast, question-answer, definition-example, problem-solution, etc.)
Use of language (diction, syntax, tone)

Rhetorical Device

a smaller rhetorical choice. The specific choice a writer/speaker utilizes

Rhetorical Appeals

ethos, pathos, logos

Allegory

an extended metaphor throughout the course of a text; whole story constructed around a metaphor

Alliteration

repetition of the same sound beginning several words or syllables in sequence; used to create emphasis

Allusion

brief reference to a person, event, or place (real or fictitious) or to a work of art; must be indirect and brief
Often classified as Biblical, historical, or literary

Analogy

a comparison between two things, typically on the basis of their structure and for the purpose of explanation or clarification

Anecdote

a brief story used to illustrate a point; helps connect with audience

Amplification

general term for all the ways in which an argument can be expanded or enriched; to “amplify” and argument

Anaphora

repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of several successive clause or verses

Antimetabole (also called Chiasmus)

a verbal pattern in which the second half of an expression is balanced against the first but with the parts reversed

“I flee who chase me, and chase who flees me” (Ovid)

Antithesis

juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…” (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities)

Asyndeton

omission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words

Concession

an acknowledgement that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable. Usually followed by a refutation challenging the validity of the opposing argument to strengthen the argument.

Connotation

the emotional implication that words may carry

Denotation

the dictionary definition of a word

Counterargument

an opposing argument to the one a writer puts forth (should be addressed to strengthen the argument)

Cumulative sentence (also called Loose Sentence)

a sentence that combines numerous clauses that is grammatically complete before the end (opposite of a periodic sentence) independent clause followed by a dependent clause

Deductive reasoning

method of reasoning that moves from a general observation to a specific conclusion

Diatribe

bitter, abusive criticism or denunciation of a person, group, organization, idea, etc.

Diction

word choice

Didactic

writing which teaches a specific lesson or moral to provide a correct model of behavior

Digression

straying away from the main point under discussion

Editorial “we” (collective first person)

use of first person plural; used to “unify”

Enumeration

listing of items/ideas in order, often by naming steps such as first, second, third

Epiphora (also called Epistrophe)

repetition of a word or phrase at the end of several clauses

Euphemism

use of an inoffensive in place of one considered unpleasant and/or offensive

Exhortation

discourse that provides advice or warning to do what is proper and required

Expansion

development or full treatment of a topic with use of multiple examples

Hortative sentence

sentence that exhorts, urges, entreats, implores or calls to action

Hyperbole

extreme exaggeration

Imagery

language that appeals to the five senses w/ descriptive detail

Inductive reasoning

a form of reasoning that moves from specific observations to a general conclusion

Invective

a discourse that casts blame on someone or something

Imperative sentence

sentence used to command or enjoin

Juxtaposition

placement of the things closely together to emphasize differences (contrasting effect)

Metaphor

figure of speech that compares two things without using like or as

Metonymy

figure of speech using a word that is closely related to the term it replaces

Oxymoron

paradoxical juxtaposition of two contradictory terms

Parallelism

similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases or clauses

Paradox

a statement that appears contradictory at first but then reveals a deeper truth upon examination

Periodic sentence

a long and involved sentence which is not grammatically complete until the final word; builds suspense

dependent clause followed by an independent clause

Persona

the face or character that a speaker shows to their audience

Personification

giving human characteristics to inanimate objects or ideas

Polemic

an aggressive argument that tries to establish the superiority of one opinion above all others (typically ineffective)

Polysyndeton

the use of many conjunctions in quick succession, often with no commas

“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers.” - U.S. Postal Service Creed

Refutation

when a rhetor anticipates an opposing argument and offers a counterargument

Rhetorical question

a question posed for rhetorical effect rather than for the purpose of getting an answer

Simile

figure of speech that compares two things using like or as

Synecdoche

figure of speech uses a part to represent the whole

Syntax

sentence structure

Symbolism

object holds meaning outside of its literal meaning

Testimony

an individual’s account of an event or state of affairs

Tone

the writer’s attitude toward the subject

Tricolon

a series of three written in parallel form

Understatement

rhetor makes situation less important on purpose

Verbal irony (sarcasm)

what is said is the opposite of what is meant

Zeugma

use of two different words in a grammatically similar way that produces different meanings