AP English Language and Rhetoric Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering rhetorical terms, argument elements, fallacies, Latin roots, and advanced word lists from the lecture notes.

Argument

A central claim backed by reasons and evidence to persuade an audience.

Thesis

A statement or premise put forward to be maintained or proved in an essay or speech.

Claim

An assertion or proposition that states a argument's main position or main point.

Evidence

Facts, statistics, expert testimony, or details used to support a claim.

Reasoning

The logical thinking process that connects evidence to a claim or thesis.

Commentary

Explanation or analysis that articulates how evidence supports the overall claim or thesis.

Counterclaim

An opposing argument or claim that contradicts or challenges the main argument.

Concession

An acknowledgment that an opposing argument or point is valid or true.

Refute

To prove an opposing argument, claim, or theory to be wrong or false.

Rebuttal

A response that presents evidence or reasoning aimed at disproving a counterclaim.

Hasty Generalization

A fallacy in which a conclusion is drawn without sufficient or representative evidence.

Ad Populum

A fallacy that appeals to the popularity of a claim or crowd emotion rather than logic.

Ad Hominem

A fallacy that attacks the opponent's character rather than addressing their argument.

Red Herring

A fallacy that introduces an irrelevant topic to divert attention from the main issue.

Moral Equivalence

A fallacy that draws an invalid moral comparison between two significantly different situations.

Slippery Slope

A fallacy asserting that a small first step will inevitably trigger a chain of negative events.

Kairos

The opportunistic, appropriate, or critical time and context for an argument.

Ethos

A rhetorical appeal based on the credibility, authority, or moral character of the speaker.

Pathos

A rhetorical appeal to the emotions and feelings of the audience.

Logos

A rhetorical appeal to logic, reason, facts, and structured arguments.

The Rhetorical Situation

The set of circumstances surrounding a text, composed of the Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, and Exigence.

Exigence

The issue, problem, or urgent need that prompts a speaker to create a text or argument.

Connotative Diction

Word choices selected for their emotional, cultural, or associative meanings beyond literal definitions.

Denotative Diction

Word choices selected for their literal, dictionary definitions.

Gist Statement

A brief summary capturing the core meaning or main point of a text.