AP Lang terms

Alliteration

The repetition of the same sound or letter at the beginning of consecutive words or syllables

Persona

The speaker, voice, or character assumed by the author of a piece of writing

Thesis

The central idea in a work to which all parts of the work refer.

Metaphor

A figure of speech or trope which one thing is spoken of as though it were something else. Making an implicit comparison

Message

The deeper meaning of the text

Logos

A Greek term that means "word". appeal to logic

Hyperbole

Exaggeration for the purpose of emphasis

Exigence

The "Catalyst" or "impetus" of the text, the event that directly causes the speaker to give a speech or the writer to write

Metonymy

A figure of speech consisting of the use of the name of one thing for that of another of which it is an attribute or with which it is associated.

Paradox

A statement that seems contradictory but is actually true

Imagery

vivid use of language that evokes a reader's senses

Trope

Artful diction, the use of language in a non-literal way; also a figure of speech

Denotation

The literal meaning of a word; it's dictionary definition

Assertion

An emphatic statement; declaration. An assertion supported by evidence becomes an argument

Cite

Identifying a part of a piece of writing as being derived from a source

Common Ground

shared beliefs, values, or positions

Counterargument

A challenge to a position; an opposing argument

Deduction

Reasoning from general to specific

Deductive Reasoning

Reasoning in which a conclusion is reached by stating a general principle and then applying it to a specific case.

Dissonance

harsh, inharmonious, or discordant sounds or ideas

Ellipsis

An omission of words or events that allows readers to fill the gaps in the sentence or narrative

Epigram

A brief, witty statement

Aphorism

A concise statement that expresses succinctly a general truth or idea, often using rhyme or balance

Induction

Reasoning from specific to general

Archaic Diction

The use of words common to an earlier time period; antiquated language

Syllogism

A form of deductive reasoning in which the conclusion is supported by a major and minor premise

Synecdoche

a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa

figure of speech

An expression that strives for literary effect rather than conveying a literal meaning.

Idiom

an expression in a given language that cannot be understood from the literal meaning of the words in the expression

Juxtaposition

Placement of two things side by side for emphasis

Connotation

That which is implied by a word, as opposed to the word's literal meaning

Parallelism

The repetition of similar grammatical or syntactical patterns

Satire

An ironic, sarcastic, or witty composition that claims to argue for something, but actually argues against it

Concession

A reluctant acknowledgement or yielding

Authority

A reliable, respected resource-someone with knowledge

Rhetoric

The study of effective, persuasive language use; according to Aristotle, use of the "Available means of persuasion"

Annotation

Explanatory or critical notes added to a text

Argument

A statement put forth and supported by evidence

Assumption

A belief or statement taken for granted without proof

Attitude

The speakers position on a subject as revealed through his or her tone

Parody

A piece that imitates and exaggerates the prominent features of another, used for comic effect or riddle

Figurative Language

The use of tropes or figures of speech; going beyond literal meaning to achieve literary effect

Documentation

Bibliographic information about the sources used in a piece of writing

Motif

An object or idea that repeats itself throughout a literary work

Allegory

A narration or description in which parts of the story represent specific abstractions or ideas

Rhetorical Modes

Patterns of organization developed to achieve a specific purpose

occasion

An aspect of context; the cause or reason for writing.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.

synthesize

Combining or bringing together two or more elements to produce something more complex.

purpose

One's intention or objective in a speech or piece of writing.

Polemic

an argument against an idea, usually regarding philosophy, politics, or religion

Anecdote

A short account of an interesting event

pathos

A Greek term that refers to suffering but has come to be associated with broader appeals to emotion

personification

assigning lifelike characteristics to an inanimate object

propaganda

A negative term for writing designed to sway opinion rather than present information

Refute

To discredit an argument, particularly a counterargument

Rhetorical Question

A question asked more to produce an effect than to summon an answer

Simile

A figure of speech that uses "like" or "As" to compare two things

Source

A book, article, person, or other resource consulted for information

Style

The distinctive quality of speech or writing created by the selection and arrangement of words and figures of speech

Subject

In rhetoric, the topic addressed in a piece of writing

Thesis Statement

A statement of the central idea in a work, may be explicit or implicit

Topic Sentence

Sentences, that announces the paragraphs idea and often unites it with the work's thesis. (Usually at the beginning of a sentence)

Understatement

Lack of emphasis in a statement or point, restraint in language often used for ironic effect.

Tone

The speaker's attitude toward the subject or audience

Syntax

Sentence structure

Anaphora

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

Allusion

An indirect reference, often to another text or historical event

Antithesis

Parallel structure that juxtaposes contrasting ideas

voice

in rhetoric, a distinctive quality in the style and tone of writing

speaker

A term used for the author, speaker, or the person whose perspective is being advanced in a speech or piece of writing

Colloquial/ism

An informal or conversational use of language

Close Reading

A careful reading that is attentive to organization, figurative language, sentence structure, vocab, and other literary works.

Aristotelian Triangle

A diagram that represents a rhetorical situation as the relationship among the speaker, the subject, and the audience

Analogy

An extended comparison between two seemingly dissimilar things

Rhetorical Triangle

A diagram that represents a rhetorical situation as the relationship among the speaker, subject, and the audience

Claim

An assertion, usually supported by evidence

Concrete Details

Details that relate or describe actual, specific things or events

Context

words, events, or circumstances that help determine meaning

Diction

word choice

Euphemism

An indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant

Ethos

A Greek term referring to the character of a person

Absolute

a word free from limitations or qualifications

Bias

Prejudice or predisposition toward one side of a subject or issue

Audience

One's listener or readership; those to whom a speech or piece of writing is addressed

Irony

A contradiction between what is said and what it meant incongruity between action and result

incongruity

something is unsuitable or inappropriate or incompatible