AP Lang Cumulative Vocabulary (Unit 1)

Includes content involving Rhetorical Appeals, Syntax, Diction, etc.

Speaker

The writer/author/person(s) who creates the text

Audience

The intended receivers/listeners of the text

Message

The content of the text

Context

The time, place, and “climate“ in which the text occurs

Exigence

Intersection of Speaker & Message; the stimulus for the text

Purpose

Intersection of Speaker & Audience; the goal outcome/reaction of the text

Genre

Intersection of Message & Audience; the method in which the subject is presented to the audience

Ethos (Credibility)

using the ‘character‘ of a person to alter the audience’s frame of mind

Pathos (Emotion)

Emotional appeal to get people to do/believe something

Logos (Logic)

Using data, statistics, or common sense to convince an audience

Diction

Word choice

Denotative

explicit definition; as stated in dictionary

Connotative

associated meaning with a word

Syntax

sentence types

Declarative

sentences that state facts

Imperative

commands or sentences that give orders or requests

Exclamative

sentences that express a strong feeling or emotion

Interrogative

questions or sentences that ask for an answer

Esoteric (adj.)

understood by a group of people with a specialized knowledge/interest

Colloquial (adj.)

non-formal or nonliterary language; used in ordinary conversation

Trite (adj.)

of little importance; lacking originality or freshness

Jargon (n.)

special words or expressions used by those in a particular profession

Pedantic (adj.)

excessively concerned with minor details or displaying academic prowess

Sanguine (adj.)

positive in difficult situations

Jubilant (adj.)

feeling or expressing great happiness

Vexed (adj.)

frustrated; (of a situation) difficult or problematic

Provincial (adj.)

concerning the regions outside the capital city of a country

Grotesque (adj.)

comically ugly or distorted

Idiomatic (adj.)

using expressions natural to a native speaker

Homespun (adj.)

simple or unsophisticated

Insipid (adj.)

lacking flavor

Amicable (adj.)

having a spirit of friendliness

Jovial (adj.)

cheerful and friendly

Virile (adj.)

having strength, energy, and a strong sex drive (typically used of a man)

Obtuse (adj.)

slow to understand

Vulgar (adj.)

coarse and rude; lacking sophistication or class

Obscure (adj.)

unknown or uncertain

Neologistic (adj.)

a new word, usage, or expression

Exultant (adj.)

triumphantly happy

Vivacious (adj.)

lively and animated

Serene (adj.)

calm, peaceful, tranquil

Admonitory (adj.)

giving or conveying a warning or reprimand

Discursive (adj.)

going from subject to subject

Lyrical (adj.)

expressing emotions in an imaginative way

Apathetic (adj.)

showing or feeling no interest

Foreboding (adj.)

feeling like something bad will happen

Belligerent (adj.)

hostile or aggressive

Quarrelsome (adj.)

prone to getting into disputes

Dubious (adj.)

hesitant or doubtful

Allusive (adj.)

suggestive reference rather than explicit mention

Evocative (adj.)

bringing strong images to mind

Naive (adj.)

lack of experience

Dejected (adj.)

sad and depressed

Somber (adj.)

gloomy

Condemnatory (adj.)

expressing strong disapproval

Amiable (adj.)

displaying a friendly or pleasant manner

Sardonic (adj.)

grimly mocking

Candid (adj.)

straightforward

Frank (adj.)

Synonym for candid; straightforward

Nostalgic (adj.)

evoking affection for the past

Dispirited (adj.)

Synonym for dejected; sad or depressed

Mortified (adj.)

feeling embarrassed, ashamed, humilated

Factious (adj.)

dividing; relating to the state of a faction

Exuberant (adj.)

filled with excitement

Stark (adj.)

bare in appearance

Blunt (adj.)

direct

Sublime (adj.)

inspiring, admirable

Reminiscent (adj.)

tending to remind one of something

Benevolent (adj.)

well meaning and kindly

Keen (adj.)

highly developed sense

Reverent (adj.)

showing deep respect

Patriotic (adj.)

showing love for one’s country

Contemplative (adj.)

prolonged thought

Melancholy (n.)

feeling of deep sadness

Condescending (adj.)

feeling of patronizing superiority

Apprehensive (adj.)

fearful of something bad happening

Calculating (adj.)

acting in a scheming way

Scholarly (adj.)

relating to serious academic study

Authoritative (adj.)

(of a tone or person) commanding and self-confident

Solemn (adj.)

serious

Sensuous (adj.)

affecting the senses rather than intellect