ap lang midterm

abstract

existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence.

concrete

existing in a material or physical form; real or solid; not abstract.

diction

A writer's or speaker's choice of words

denotation

the literal meaning of a word

connotation

the implied or associative meaning of a word

tone

Attitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character

metonymy

substituting the name of one object for another object closely associated with it

ex: Referring to the President of the United States or their administration as "the White House"

synecdoche

A figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole

ex: wheels referring to a car

personification

A figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes

pathetic fallacy

The attribution of human emotions or characteristics to inanimate objects or to nature; for example angry clouds; a cruel wind.

understatement

A statement that says less than what is meant

allusion

A reference to another work of literature, person, or event

anaphora

repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines

ex: "I Have a Dream" speech.

hyperbole

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

counterargument

an opposing argument to the one a writer is putting forward

irony

the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.

expert testimony

testimony from people who are recognized experts in their fields

cliche

a worn

objective

unbiased; not subjective

subjective

based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions

metaphor

A comparison without using like or as

simile

A comparison of two unlike things using like or as

polemic

controversy; argument; verbal attack

epiphany

A moment of sudden revelation or insight

reproach

to find fault with, blame

condescending

possessing an attitude of superiority, patronizing

grudging

unwilling; reluctant; stingy

depravity

moral corruption, a wicked or perverse act

reflective

illustrating innermost thoughts and emotions

irate

angry; enraged

judicious

sensible; showing good judgement

mocking

treating with contempt or ridicule

patrionizing

treating in a condescending manner

pedantic

Excessively concerned with book learning and formal rules

didactic

intended to instruct

detached

Impartial, disinterested; unconcerned, distant, aloof

phenomenon

A fact or event which can be observed and/or documented

derisive

ridiculing, mocking

cognitive

having to do with an organism's thinking and understanding

ambivalence

the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes

antipathy

an intense dislike

allusive

characterized by indirect references

parallel structure

repetition of the same pattern of words or phrases within a sentence or passage to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance.

ex: I forgave you when you lost my cat, I forgave you when you left me at the airport, and I forgave you when you threw out my favorite stuffed animal.

faulty reasoning

Reasoning formed based on either untrue or misunderstood ideas.

fallacy

a false notion or belief; an error in thinking

oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.

ex: bittersweet

imagery

visually descriptive or figurative language, especially in a literary work.

rhetorical triangle

A diagram that illustrates the interrelationship among the speaker, audience, and subject in determining a text.

ethos

credibility

logos

logic

pathos

emotion

dramatic shift

A striking change in tone, meaning, pace, etc, designed to emphasize or draw attention

allegory

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

alliteration

the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.

ex: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers

ambiguity

The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.

antecedent

the word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers

ex: My sister is at the top of her class

antithesis

the direct opposite, a sharp contrast

apostrophe

address to an absent, dead, or imaginary person

colloquialism

informal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing

inference

A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning

cumulative sentence

sentence that completes the main idea at the beginning of the sentence and then builds and adds on

periodic sentence

A sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end.

paradox

A statement or proposition that seems self

simple sentence

A sentence consisting of one independent clause and no dependent clause

ex: Joe waited for the train. The train was late.

compound sentence

a sentence with two or more coordinate independent clauses, often joined by one or more conjunctions

ex: The pirate captain lost her treasure map, but she still found the buried treasure.

complex sentence

A sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause

ex: whenever it rains, I like to wear my blue coat.

compound

complex sentence

ex: Though Mitchell prefers watching romantic films, he rented the latest spy thriller, and he enjoyed it very much.

syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well

symbolism

A device in literature where an object represents an idea.

synesthesia

describing one kind of sensation in terms of another ("a loud color", "a sweet sound")

thesis

the primary position taken by a writer or speaker

transition

a change from one state or condition to another

inverted syntax

reversing the normal word order of a sentence

rhetorical question

A question asked merely for rhetorical effect and not requiring an answer

claim

An assertion, usually supported by evidence

anecdote

a short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person

technical diction

using technical details and logical facts to support an argument

juxtaposition

Placement of two things closely together to emphasize comparisons or contrasts

zeugma

a figure of speech in which a word applies to two others in different senses

ex: She broke his car and his heart

Polysyndeton

the use, for rhetorical effect, of more conjunctions than is necessary or natural

ex: i love to spend time with my mom and dad and brother and sister

Asyndeton

A construction in which elements are presented in a series without conjunctions

ex: I came, I saw, I conquered

exigence

an issue, problem, or situation that causes or prompts someone to write or speak

rhetoric

the art of using language effectively and persuasively

interrogative question

a type of sentence that asks a question, as opposed to sentences that make a statement, deliver a command, or express an exclamation.

ascentism

severe self

hedonism

pursuit of pleasure, especially of the senses