ap lang terminology 1

summer

Absolute

A word, phrase or sentence free from limitations or qualification.

Active Voice

A sentence in which the subject performs the action rather than receives the action.

Allusion

Within a text, it is the reference to an outside historical figure, a text, a film, a religious figure or story, or a work of art.

Audience

The recipient of the speaker’s message.

Cause and effect

A paragraph analyzing the causes that lead to a certain effect, or conversely, the effects that result from a certain cause is a powerful argument foundation.  Authors will argue the effects of a particular cause or the cause behind certain effects. 

Classification and divison

Paragraphs arranged by classification and division feature material sorted into major ideas and answer the question why they belong together.  A text with a headline and subtopics fits this category or a text with multiple stated topics and no overarching headline fits this category. 

Context

The occasion or the time and place the text was written or spoken.

Deductive reasoning paragraph

A _____ begins with the point (topic sentence), and then goes on to support and develop that point. This is the most common type of paragraph in academic essays and the type with which you are probably most familiar.

Definition paragraph

An author provides an explanation of her/his perception of a topic or idea and provides examples of the topic/idea so that the audience cannot mistake the author’s explanation of the given topic/idea.

Denotation

The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.

Dependent Clause

A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence.

Descriptive Paragraph

A descriptive paragraph is used to emphasize sensory details and create mood or atmosphere by painting a vivid picture for the audience. 

Diction

The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.

Ethos

Establishes credibility regarding the speaker/writer towards the audience based on the impression the speaker/writer makes on the audience

Exigence

In rhetoric, exigence is an issue, problem, or situation that causes or prompts someone to write or speak.

Independent Clause

An independent clause (a clause is a group of words that contains at least one subject and one verb) is one that can stand alone--independently. It is a complete sentence.

Inductive Reasoning Paragraph

An inductive reasoning paragraph has specific examples about a subject, which are used to validate a general claim on the subject.  

Juxtaposition

Placing things side by side for the purposes of comparison. Authors often use juxtaposition of ideas or examples in order to make a point.

Logos

It is an appeal to logic and strengthens the validity of the argument through logical reasoning.

Narration paragraph

features include general anecdotal writing, used as an example to connect to the writing’s specific thesis.

Passive Voice

A passive voice sentence is one in which the action is performed by the object to the subject.  Aim not to write in this manner unless the object is the focal point of your sentence. 

Pathos

Pathos is an appeal to emotion.  It is effectively used through adeptly chosen language and personal anecdotes meant to target the audiences’ emotions.

Persona

The persona is the character the speaker creates when he or she writes or speaks.  Who is the speaker presenting herself/himself as?  An expert, a poet, a scholar, a critic, a concerned citizen are some examples of personas

Process analysis

Used to explain how something works, how to do something, or how something was done.  Process analysis writing is especially clear and explains the subject logically and marks transitions between the sequence of major steps, stages, or phases in the process. 

Qualifier

The use of words like "usually, probably, in most cases, most likely" to temper a claim and make it less absolute.

Rhetoric

The art of persuasion.

Rhetorical Situation

The relationship between the speaker, subject, and audience.

Rhetorical Question

A question asked for a particular effect and not one asked for a response.

Speaker

The author of a speech or essay.  The speaker does not necessarily have to recite the text aloud in order to be called “speaker”

Subject

The message conveyed by the speaker to the audience.

Tone

Tone describes the speaker's or writer's feelings or judgment about the subject at hand. Tone may change or shift within a piece of writing; be on the watch for such tonal shifts.

Comparison and contrast

juxtaposing two things to highlight their similarities and differences.  Comparison and contrast is often required on examinations where you have to discuss the subtle differences or similarities in method, style, or purpose of two texts.