ap lang vocabulary

Analogy

Long comparison between two different things to help explain something new or hard by linking it to something familiar.

Figurative Language

Writing/speech that uses creative words to show a meaning that is not literal, making it more fun and vivid.

Imagery

Language that uses the five senses to create a clear picture and feeling in the reader’s mind.

Connotation

The extra meaning of a word, including feelings, ideas, or emotions that go beyond its dictionary definition.

Denotation

The exact dictionary meaning of a word, without any extra feelings or ideas.

Deductive Reasoning

A way of thinking where you start with a general rule or idea and use it to figure out something specific.

Inductive Reasoning

A way of thinking where you look at specific facts or observations and use them to make a general conclusion.

Syllogism

A type of deductive reasoning that uses two statements (one general and one specific) to reach a logical conclusion.

Logical Fallacy

A mistake in reasoning that makes an argument weak, unreliable, or misleading.

Allusion

A short, indirect mention of a famous person, place, event, story, or idea.

Juxtaposition

Putting two different things side by side to show their differences or surprising similarities.

Rhetorical Question

A question asked to make a point or create an effect, not to get an answer.

Hypophora

A technique where a speaker/writer asks a question and then answers it to explain or emphasize a point.

Epiplexis

A technique where a speaker asks several questions to criticize, scold, or shame the audience.

Polemic

A strong and aggressive argument that attacks or defends an idea, person, or belief without accepting opposing views.

Rhetoric

The skill of using words and strategies to persuade or influence people in any situation.

Diction

The writer’s choice of words, picked to create a certain tone, effect, or meaning for the audience and purpose.

Syntax

The way words are carefully arranged in sentences to create a specific effect or feeling.

Tone

The writer’s attitude toward the topic or audience, shown through word choice and style.

Exigence

The urgent need or motive that prompts a writer to communicate a message, often addressing a specific problem.

Concession

Acknowledging the validity of a different viewpoint.

Euphemism

To remove emotion from something or sugarcoat it.

Hyperbole

Exaggerating to make something seem more significant than it is, not meant to be taken literally.

Understatement

Making something seem smaller, unserious, or unimportant than it really is, often used for humor.

Overstatement

Exaggerating on purpose to make a point, making people feel something strongly, be funny, or seem important.

Refute

To show that someone’s argument is wrong by pointing out mistakes or providing evidence that proves it untrue.

Rebut

To find a reason to disagree with an argument, such as it being shortsighted or not taking something into account.

Irony

When things turn out differently than expected, or when someone says something but means the opposite.

Satire

Using wit to imitate, poke fun at, or viciously attack, usually to point out a weakness or shortcoming.

Motif

Something recurring in the story (object, idea, symbol) that shows the main theme/message.

Trope

Common pattern, theme, or figure of speech used in writing or speaking to create meaning or effect.

Parallelism

A way of forming sentences in which grammatical elements are changed into the same order.

Chiasmus

Parallel elements are put into a different order.

Antimetabole

Using the same words, but changing the order.

Claim

A debatable point the author is trying to prove.

Argument

A series of statements used to support a claim.

Antithesis

Two opposite ideas written in the same sentence to give a contrasting effect.

Logos

Using facts, numbers, or clear reasons to make people believe the author’s idea.

Pathos

Using strong emotion to help the audience agree with the author’s idea.

Ethos

Writer showing credibility so the audience believes and trusts the author’s idea.