ap test review - lang

Absolute Language

The kind of language describing something as having a quality that lacks degrees/more&less. confident, strong, self-assured tone

Ad hominem fallacy

Part of argumentation, does not address the soundness of another side's argument and attacks the character of a person who conveys that other side

Allusion

An indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known (event, book, myth, etc.)

Anadiplosis

Repetition of the last word (or phrase) from the previous line, clause, or sentence at the beginning of the next

Analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them, commonly explains something unfamiliar by pointing out its similarity with something more well-known

Anaphora

Repeating a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences for emphasis or rhythm

Antimetabole

The repetition of words in successive clauses in reserve grammatical order ("take the boy out the country, but not the country out of the boy")

Antiphrasis

Irony of one word, often derisively through contradiction (saying "hey shorty" to someone tall)

Antithesis

The juxtaposition of contrasting words or ideas, often in parallel structure (contrast or opposition of thoughts)

Aphorism

A concise statement, not unlike a maxim, of a principle of precept ("life is short")

Argumentum ad baculum

The fallacy committed when one appeals to force or the threat of force to bring the acceptance of a conclusion

Bandwagon appeal

Used to appeal to everyone's sense of wanting to belong or be accepted

Chiasmus

A crossing parallelism, where the second part of a grammatic construction is balanced or paralleled by the first, in reverse order ("what is learned unwillingly is gladly forgotten")

Conditional Sentence

 

A sentence that focuses on a question of truth or fact, introduced by if or its equivalent ("If we got married, our parents would be happy")

Cumulative Sentence

aka Loose sentence: begin with the independent clause and then finish with a series of modifying constructions ("Sarah waited, anxious and concerned that class had been cancelled")

Declarative sentence

A sentence that makes a statement

Either or fallacy

Used to suggest there are only two sides or perspectives in viewing an issue

epistrophe

The repetition of a group of words at the end of successive clauses ("they saw no evil, they spoke no evil, they heard no evil")

exclusive language

language that seeks to alienate, ostracize, and/or exclude others from a group and often create a sense of us vs. them ("they, them, you")

generalization

takes in everything and everyone at once, allowing no exceptions ("All teenagers spend too much time watching TV")

hyperbole

An exaggeration or embellishment for effect or to make a point

imperative sentence

Gives a direct command to someone; its subject can sometimes be and implied "You"

Inclusive language

Language that seeks to reach out to include others into a group ("we, us, everyone")

metaphor

An implied comparison between two unlike things that does not use the word like, as or, or than

narrative pace

How quickly writing moves from one event or action to another

parallelism

A set of similarly structured words, phrases, or clauses that appears in a sentence or paragraph

periodic sentence/effect

Begins with a series of subordinate modifying phrases and clauses, often creating a crescendo, then ending with a forceful independent clause

polysyndeton

Use of many conjunctions to separate clauses and phrases, usually to manipulate the narrative pace

qualified language

A word or group of words limiting or specifying another word, phrase, or clause

reduction ad absurdum

A fallacy in which a proposition is disproven by following its implications logically to an absurd consequence

rhetorical question

Question posed by the speaker or writer not to seek an answer but instead to affirm or deny a point simply by asking a question about it

slippery-slope fallacy

Argument that assumes that one action will lead to another similar action that in turn will lead to another, and another, ultimately resulting in something undesirable

syllogistic reasoning

Series of statements in which a logical conclusion is drawn from inarguable premises (if A = B, and B = C, then A = C)

antecedent

a thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another.

Accusatory

Suggesting or expressing a charge of wrongdoing

Acquiescent

Ready to accept or agree to something without protest; compliant.

Adamant

Refusing to be persuaded or change one's mind; firm and unyielding.

Admonishing

Cautioning or warning someone firmly, often in a mild or gentle manner.

Aloof

Distant or detached in manner; not friendly or forthcoming.

Anachronistic

Belonging to a period other than that being portrayed; outdated or out of place in time.

Blunt

Direct in speech or manner, often to the point of being rude or insensitive.

Bureaucratic

Relating to the administrative system, often implying excessive procedure, rules, and red tape.

candid

Honest, open, and straightforward in expression; impartial.

Circuitous

Taking a roundabout or indirect route; not direct.

Conciliatory

Intended or likely to pacify or make peace; reconciling.

Condescending

Showing a patronizing attitude or behavior toward others; treating others as inferior.

delusory

Based on or producing a false belief or illusion; deceptive.

Didactic

Intended to teach, particularly in a moralizing or instructive way.

diplomatic

Skilled in dealing with sensitive matters or people; tactful and respectful.

disdainful

Showing contempt or scorn; looking down on others.

dispassionate

Not influenced by strong emotions; impartial and objective.

Dubious

Doubtful or suspicious; of uncertain outcome or authenticity.

Indicting

Formally accusing or charging someone with a crime.

Injudicious

Lacking good judgment or wisdom; unwise

Irrefutable

Impossible to deny or disprove; incontrovertible.

Jingoistic

Excessively patriotic, often in a belligerent or aggressive way

Mandate

An official order or command; authorization to act.

Marginalized

Treated as insignificant or unimportant; pushed to the edges of society or a group.

munificent

Very generous; giving in abundance.

Pejorative

Expressing disapproval or a negative connotation; disparaging.

placative

Intended to appease or soothe; conciliatory.

precedent

An earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide for future similar cases.

satiric

Relating to or characterized by satire; mocking or ridiculing to expose flaws.

supercilious

Behaving or looking as though one thinks they are superior to others; arrogantly haughty.

Trepidity

A state of fear or anxiety; nervousness.

Transgression

A violation of a law, rule, or moral code; wrongdoing.

Unassailable

Impossible to be attacked, questioned, or defeated.

Urbane

Refined, courteous, and elegant in manner; sophisticated.