AP Lang Terms 1-25

Allusion

Figure of speech that makes a indirect reference to a famous person, place, event, etc.

Analogy

Comparison between two different things to show how they are similar.

Anecdote

A brief, engaging story about a real incident or person

Aphorism

A short clever statement that expresses a general truth or a wise observation about life

Exigence

The urgent issue, problem, or situation that inspires someone to write or speak.

Explication

The detailed and informal process of explaining, analyzing, or interpreting a complex idea, text, or theory to make it hidden meaning clear

Occasion

The place, time, and specifics that of circumstances or events that prompt a writer or speaker to create a text.

Parody

A creative work that mocks another subject for comic or critical effect.

Persona

The image or a societal role that a person projects to the world.

Purpose

The reason for which something is done created or exists.

Rhetoric

The art of effective or persuasive, speaking and writing.

Satire

The use of humor, irony exaggeration to expose and criticize.

Style

Styles distinct way a writer uses word, choice, structure, and express ideas

Synthesis

The combining of ideas, data or findings for multiple sources to create an argument.

Thesis

A defensible claim that response directly to a prompt

Tone

The speakers attitude towards their subject or audience.

Voice

A writers unique, identifiable style on the page

Pathos

Appeal to emotion

Ethos

Appeal to ethics or authority

Logos

Appeal to logic

Rhetorical modes

Patterns of organization or methods of development that writers used to achieve a specific purpose.

Description

A method of development that makes vivid sensory language.

Exposition

A type of plot element used to explain or provide background context

Narration

The act of telling a story or recounting a sequence of events

Persuasion

The strategic use of written or symbolic language to influence an audience beliefs