AP Language and Composition Rhetorical Terms Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering rhetorical terms, syntax styles, diction types, figurative language, and sentence structures from the transcript.

1. Thesis statement

In expository writing, the sentence or group of sentences directly expressing the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position.

2. Rhetorical modes

A flexible term describing the variety, conventions, and purposes of the major kinds of writing (exposition, argumentation, description, and narration).

3. Exposition

A rhetorical mode designed to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion.

4. Argumentation

A rhetorical mode designed to prove the validity of an idea or point of view through sound reasoning and thorough discussion.

5. Persuasive writing

A specialized form of argumentation that includes the additional goal of urging the audience to take action.

6. Description

A rhetorical mode aimed at recreating, inventing, or visually presenting a person, place, event, or action so the reader can picture it.

7. Narration

A rhetorical mode whose primary purpose is to tell a story or relate a sequence of events.

8. Syntax

The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences, focusing on word groups rather than individual word choice.

9. Segregating style

A sentence style composed of relatively short, uncomplicated sentences that create a strong, repetitive, and emphatic effect.

10. Freight-train style

A sentence style that couples short independent clauses to form longer sequential statements without judging their relative value.

11. Parataxis

A style of placing independent clauses side-by-side without conjunctions, using semicolons or commas when freight-train fluidity is avoided.

12. Triadic sentence

A freight-train sentence structured specifically in three distinct units to provide a clearer, closed structural principle.

13. Cumulative sentence

A sentence starting with an initial independent clause followed by subordinate elements that accumulate descriptive details.

14. Parallelism

The grammatical condition where two or more words or constructions share an identical structural relationship to the same element.

15. Balanced sentence

A sentence divided by a pause into two parts that are roughly equivalent in both length and significance.

16. Loose sentence

A sentence structure in which the main independent clause comes first, followed by subordinate clauses and phrases.

17. Periodic sentence

An emphatic sentence structure where subordinate constructions precede the main independent clause, which closes the sentence.

18. Emphatic sentence effect

The deliberate structural technique of delaying the principal thought until the end of a sentence to increase its significance.

19. Convoluted sentence

A sentence structure where the main clause is split into two parts at the beginning and end, with subordinate elements intruding in between.

20. Centered sentence

A sentence structure where the main clause occupies the middle position, flanked before and after by subordinate constructions.

21. Sentence fragment

A single word, phrase, or dependent clause standing alone as if it were a complete sentence.

22. Active voice

A sentence construction in which the grammatical subject performs the action expressed by the verb.

23. Passive voice

A sentence construction in which the grammatical subject receives the action expressed by the verb.

24. Antithesis

The opposition or direct contrast of ideas expressed within a balanced grammatical structure.

25. Aphorism

A terse statement of known authorship that expresses a general truth or moral principle.

26. Chiasmus

A figure of speech based on inverted parallelism where two clauses are related to each other through a reversal of terms.

27. Juxtaposition

Placing dissimilar items, descriptions, or ideas close together or side by side for comparison or contrast.

28. Rhetorical punctuation

An author's intentional placement of marks to control sentence rhythm, clarity, and emphasis.

29. Repetition

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

30. Alliteration

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

31. Diction

Refers to a writer's deliberate word choices, evaluated for correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.

32. Abstract words

Words that signify intangible concepts that cannot be perceived directly by the physical senses.

33. Concrete words

Words that refer to tangible, perceptible things that can be experienced through the physical senses.

34. Ambiguity

The presence of multiple interpretations, whether intentional or unintentional, in a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.

35. Colloquialism

The use of informal speech or regional expressions in writing to create a conversational tone.

36. Slang

Highly informal, transient vocabulary characteristic of specific social groups or informal settings.

37. Pretentious diction

The misuse of ornate or overly complex vocabulary primarily to show off rather than enhance clarity.

38. Clichés

Trite, unoriginal expressions that have lost their effectiveness through overuse.

39. Euphemism

A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for an unpleasant word or concept.

40. Jargon

Specialized or technical language used inappropriately or excessively in non-technical contexts.

41. Connotation

The non-literal, associative meaning of a word, including implied emotions, attitudes, or ideas.

42. Denotation

The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, free from emotional associations.

43. Levels of usage

The variation in word choice depending on the formality or specific requirements of a situation.

44. Hyperbole

A figure of speech utilizing deliberate exaggeration or overstatement.

45. Irony through hyperbole

The rhetorical effect achieved when extreme exaggeration highlights the contrast between statement and reality.

46. Idiom

A fixed combination of words functioning as a single unit of meaning that cannot be understood literally.

47. Onomatopoeia

A figure of speech in which the sound of a word naturally imitates the sound it describes.

48. Tone

The stylistic reflection of an author's attitude toward their subject material, audience, or both.

49. Simile

An explicit comparison between two different things, typically introduced by 'like' or 'as'.

50. Metaphor

A figure of speech making an implied comparison between two seemingly unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'.

51. Personification

Endowing abstract concepts, animals, or inanimate objects with human traits, capabilities, or emotions.

52. Allusion

A direct or indirect reference to a commonly known event, literary work, myth, place, or historical figure.

53. Irony

The contrast between explicit statement and intended meaning, or between appearance and underlying reality.

54. Verbal irony

A form of irony in which the literal meaning of spoken or written words is the exact opposite of what is meant.

55. Situational irony

A form of irony in which actual outcome of events is directly contrary to reasonable expectations.

56. Dramatic irony

A form of irony where the audience or reader understands crucial facts that are unknown to a character.

57. Overstatement

An alternative term for hyperbole involving exaggerated representation of facts.

58. Understatement

The ironic minimization of facts to present a situation as much less significant than it actually is.

59. Litotes

A form of understatement in which an affirmative point is expressed by negating its opposite statement.

60. Meiosis

A rhetorical figure of understatement that refers to something in terms less significant than it deserves.

61. Pun

A play on words exploiting multiple meanings of a single word or similar-sounding words.

62. Imagery

Sensory details or figurative language used to evoke sensory experiences or represent abstract concepts.

63. Allegory

A device where characters or narrative elements symbolically represent abstract ideas alongside their literal story.

64. Analogy

A comparison highlighting similarities between two different things to explain a complex or unfamiliar concept.

65. Apostrophe

A figure of speech directly addressing an absent or imaginary person, or a personified abstraction.

66. Conceit

A fanciful, intellectually clever expression featuring an unusual extended metaphor or surprising comparison.

67. Extended metaphor

A metaphoric comparison developed at length, recurring throughout a substantial section or entire work.

68. Metonymy

A figure of speech where the name of one object is substituted for another object closely associated with it.

69. Oxymoron

A figure of speech grouping contradictory terms side-by-side to suggest a subtle paradox.

70. Paradox

A statement that seems self-contradictory or illogical on the surface but reveals a deeper truth upon examination.

71. Symbolism

The literary use of concrete objects, characters, or scenes to represent abstract ideas beyond their literal meaning.

72. Natural symbols

Symbols derived from objects or events in nature that inherently convey universal ideas.

73. Conventional symbols

Symbols invested with specific shared meaning by a social, religious, or political group.

74. Literary symbols

Symbols established within specific texts or across literary traditions that represent complex underlying themes.

75. Rhetorical appeal

A persuasive technique employed by a writer or speaker to influence an audience's perception.

76. Logos

A rhetorical appeal based on logical reasoning, structured arguments, and objective evidence.

77. Ethos

A rhetorical appeal establishing the credibility, character, and trustworthiness of the writer or speaker.

78. Pathos

A rhetorical appeal designed to engage the audience's feelings, desires, or emotional responses.