AP Language Rhetorical Terms Flashcards

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms in syntax, diction, and figures of speech derived from the lecture transcript.

anadiplosis

Taking the last word of a sentence or phrase and repeating it near the beginning of the next sentence or phrase.

antecedent

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.

appositive

A word or phrase that renames the noun right beside it.

clause

A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb.

independent clause

A clause that expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

dependent/subordinate clause

A clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent clause.

epistrophe

Ending a series of lines, phrases, clauses, or sentences with the same word or words.

loose sentence/non-periodic sentence

A type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses.

parallelism

Also referred to as parallel construction, it is the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity.

anaphora

A sub-type of parallelism involving the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences, such as in MLK's 'I Have a Dream' speech ($1963$).

periodic sentence

A sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end, preceded by a phrase or clause that cannot stand alone.

repetition

The duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern.

subject complement

The word or clause that follows a linking verb and complements the subject by either renaming it or describing it.

predicate nominative

A noun, group of nouns, or noun clause that renames the subject and follows a linking verb.

predicate adjective

An adjective, group of adjectives, or adjective clause that follows a linking verb and modifies or describes the subject.

syntax

The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.

alliteration

The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words.

ambiguity

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

colloquial/colloquialism

The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing, including local or regional dialects, giving a work a conversational tone.

connotation

The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning involving ideas, emotions, or attitudes.

denotation

The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.

diction

The writer's word choices, especially regarding their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness, which helps create an author's style.

didactic

From the Greek for 'teaching', these words have the primary aim of instructing, especially in moral or ethical principles.

double entendre

Ambiguity of meaning arising from language that lends itself to more than one interpretation.

euphemism

A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept, from the Greek for 'good speech'.

invective

An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.

jargon

Special words associated with a specific area of knowledge or profession.

loaded language

Words with strong connotations usually employed to evoke an emotional response.

mood

The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work, affected by setting, tone, and events.

onomatopoeia

A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words, such as buzz, hiss, or hum.

pedantic

An adjective describing words, phrases, or a tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish.

recursive

Repeating over and over.

sarcasm

From the Greek for 'to tear flesh', it involves bitter, caustic language meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something.

semantics

The branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, and their relations to one another.

tone

The author's attitude toward his material, the audience, or both.