AP English Language and Composition Summer Review

need to fill in everything else (do AFTER essay)

Ethos

A persuasive strategy based on the rhetorical triangle that refers to ethical credibility used by a speaker or writer to sway an audience.

Pathos

A persuasive strategy based on the rhetorical triangle that refers to emotional connection used by a speaker or writer to sway an audience.

Logos

A persuasive strategy based on the rhetorical triangle that refers to logical reasoning used by a speaker or writer to sway an audience.

Rhetorical devices

Techniques used in writing and speaking to persuade an audience by adding emotional appeal, clarity, or impact to a message.

Rhetorical modes

Methods or tools writers use to organize and express ideas, categorized by their persuasive purpose and structure.

Semantics

The branch of linguistics and logic concerned with meaning.

Formal semantics

A branch of semantics that studies the logical aspects of meaning, such as sense, reference, implication, and logical form.

Lexical semantics

A branch of semantics that studies word meanings and word relations.

Conceptual semantics

A branch of semantics that studies the cognitive structure of meaning.

Discourse

Written or spoken communication or debate.

Rhetoric

The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.

Connotation

An idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning.

Denotation

The literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests.

Platitude

A remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful.

Polemic

A speech or piece of writing expressing a strongly critical attack on or controversial opinion about someone or something.

Syntax

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

Juxtaposition

The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.

Malapropism

The mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect, such as using "dance a flamingo" instead of flamenco.

Allegory

A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

Paradox

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

Anecdote

A short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.

Close Reading

A process of writing an essay that begins with observing facts and details about a text and then interpreting those observations.

Annotating

The process of underlining or highlighting key words and phrases that strike the reader as surprising or significant, and making notes in the margins.

Inductive reasoning

A logical process of moving from the observation of particular facts and details to a conclusion or interpretation based on those observations.

Argument

a course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating truth or falsehood.

Style

The specific way a writer or speaker crafts language to inform, persuade, or motivate an audience

Thesis

a specific type of claim that states how an author builds an argument rather than judging whether their underlying topic is right or wrong

non sequitur

“it does not follow”

statement or conclusion that does not follow logically from what preceded it

pedantic

speech or writing that focuses too much on minor details, formal rules, and trivial errors

diction

the choice of words in writing, or the clear pronunciation of words when speaking

ellipsis

punctuation of 3 dots “…”

equivocation

the use of ambiguous language, or a single word with multiple meanings, to deceive, mislead, or create an invalid logical argument

sarcasm

specific type of verbal irony that uses bitter, caustic, or cutting language to mock, ridicule, or express contempt

euphemism

a polite, mild, or indirect word or phrase used in place of one that is too harsh, blunt, offensive, or unpleasant

hyperbole

a figure of speech that uses extreme exaggeration to make a point, show strong emotion, or add humor

tone

the writer's or speaker's attitude toward a subject, audience, or self

transition

words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs that signal the logical relationship between ideas

understatement

rhetorical device where a speaker or writer intentionally downplays the magnitude, importance, or severity of a situation

mood

emotional atmosphere or feeling that a text creates for the reader

voice

the distinct personality, tone, and style of a writer that comes through in their words

oxymoron

a figure of speech that places two opposite or contradictory words right next to each other to create a new, unique meaning, a dramatic effect, or a touch of irony

alliteration

a literary device where two or more words close together repeat the same starting consonant sound

allusion

a brief, indirect reference to a famous person, place, event, or work of art

parallel syntax (parallelism)

using the same grammar form for words, phrases, or lists in a sentence