AP Lang Semester 1

Author

The unique characteristics that define an individual’s identity, including personal history, experiences, and values.

Occasion

The time and place in which a piece of writing is situated.

Audience

The intended readers or viewers of a text.

Context

The circumstances surrounding a text, including cultural, historical, and social factors.

Exigence

The urgency or need that compels the creation of a text.

Purpose

The goal the writer aims to achieve through their writing.

Thesis

The overarching, debatable assertion that a writer seeks to prove in their essay.

Reason

Answers the question 'Why?' in relation to a claim.

Claim

Synonymous with the thesis; the primary assertion of the essay.

Evidence

Information or proof that supports the reasons behind a claim.

Commentary

The writer's unique insights or thoughts regarding the evidence presented.

Counterargument

An opposing viewpoint that challenges the main argument.

Qualifier

A statement that places limits on the claim to add nuance.

Warrant

The underlying belief, assumption, or value that supports an argument.

Backing

Additional evidence that supports the warrant.

Line of Reasoning

The structure or organization of the argument being presented.

Scare Tactics

Strategies that manipulate genuine fears to persuade the audience.

Either-Or Choices

A tactic that presents a limited set of options, framing one as favorable.

Slippery Slope

A logical fallacy that assumes a minor action will lead to severe consequences.

Sentimental Appeals

Attempts to sway the audience by evoking emotional responses.

Bandwagon Appeals

Arguments that encourage the audience to follow what others are doing.

Appeals to False Authority

Using oneself as a source of authority in arguments.

Dogmatism

The belief that one's position is the only acceptable one.

Ad Hominem

Attacks directed at a person's character rather than their argument.

Hasty Generalization

Drawing conclusions from insufficient or biased evidence.

Faulty Causality

Assuming that one event causes another simply due to sequence.

Begging the Question

A fallacy that assumes the truth of the claim being debated.

Equivocation

The use of ambiguous language to mislead.

Non-Sequitur

A conclusion or statement that does not logically follow from the previous argument.

Straw Man

Misrepresenting an opponent's argument to refute it more easily.

Faulty Analogy

An invalid comparison between two things that misrepresents their similarities.

Sensory Details

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.

Dialogue

The written conversational exchange represented in quotation marks.

Expanded Moment

A narrative technique that extends a moment for dramatic effect.

Personification

Attributing human characteristics to non-human entities.

Alliteration

The repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of words.

Onomatopoeia

Words that imitate natural sounds.

Rhyme

Repetition of similar sound patterns, often found in poetry.

Simile

A comparison between two different things using 'like' or 'as'.

Metaphor

A direct comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'.

Allusion

An indirect reference to a well-known person, place, event, or work.

Analogy

A comparison of two things that explains complex ideas through simpler examples.

Antonomasia

Using a descriptive phrase in place of a proper name.

Irony

A contrast between expectations and reality, often the opposite of literal meaning.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines contradictory terms.

Metonymy

A figure of speech where a related term is substituted for an object or idea.

Hyphenated Modifier

A combination of words linked by hyphens, creating a unique descriptor.

Hyperbole

Deliberate and extravagant exaggeration.

Litotes

An understatement that uses double negatives for emphasis.

Rhetorical Question

A question asked for effect rather than an answer.

Parallelism

The use of similar structures in phrases for clarity or rhythm.

Anaphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.

Epistrophe

The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive sentences.

Antithesis

The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in a balanced structure.

Inverted Word Order

A rearrangement of standard word order for stylistic effect.

Intentional Fragment

An incomplete sentence used deliberately for emphasis.

Jargon

Specialized language used by a particular group or profession.

Colloquial Language

Informal language that mimics everyday speech.

Connotation

The emotional or cultural association of a word beyond its literal meaning.

Denotation

The literal dictionary definition of a word.

Pun

A humorous play on words exploiting multiple meanings.

Punctuation as Style

The use of punctuation marks to create tone or impact in writing.

Appeals to Ethos

Persuasive techniques that establish credibility through education or values. (Ethos Ethics)

Appeals to Logos

Logical persuasion grounded in factual evidence, statistics, or reasoning. (Logos Logic)

Appeals to Pathos

Emotional persuasion using images, stories, or humor.