AP Language and Composition: Rhetorical Handbook Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering rhetorical and literary terms from the lecture notes.

Style

The overall manner of expression produced by word choice, grammar, and use of literary devices.

Diction

An author’s precise word choices and their meanings and effects.

Connotation

The ideas suggested or associated with a word beyond its literal meaning.

Denotation

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word.

Pedantic

Language that is overly academic or concerned with strict rules.

Simple (language)

Plain, easy to understand language.

Didactic

Text intended to instruct or teach, often in a preachy way.

Literal

Based on the exact, surface meaning of words.

Figurative

Based on metaphorical or symbolic meaning beyond the literal sense.

Active voice

The subject performs the action of the verb.

Passive voice

The subject receives the action; the focus is on the object of the action.

Overstatement

Exaggeration beyond the truth for emphasis.

Understatement

A restrained or minimal expression of something.

Colloquial

Informal, conversational language.

Formal

Proper, standard language; less casual.

Non-Standard Slang/Jargon

Slang or specialized terms not part of standard language.

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to form sentences.

Repetition

Repeating words, phrases, or punctuation for emphasis or rhythm.

Genre

A broad category of literary works with shared conventions.

Autobiography

The true story of a person written by that person.

Biography

The account of a person’s life written by someone else.

Memoir

A narrative focused on a specific period or theme of a life.

Chronicle

An extended historical account without interpretation.

Diary

A daily written record of personal experiences and observations.

Essay

A short prose piece on a single subject, presenting the author’s view.

Fiction

Literature based on imagination rather than fact.

Nonfiction

Writing based on history or fact, not imagination.

Parody

A humorous imitation that mocks the style of another work.

Prose

Writing distinguished from poetry by its rhythm and resemblance to ordinary speech.

Satire

A work that ridicules human vices or folly to expose social wrongs.

Sermon

An oration by a member of the clergy.

Stream of Consciousness

A narrative mode that records a character’s thoughts in real time.

Editorial

An article presenting the editor’s opinion rather than objective reporting.

Allusion

A brief indirect reference to a familiar person/event/work.

Ambiguity

Doubtful meaning; more than one possible interpretation.

Anecdote

A brief, often personal, account of a specific incident.

Analogy

A comparison used to explain an unfamiliar subject with familiar ones.

Anaphora

Repetition of initial words/phrases at the start of successive clauses.

Antithesis

A contrast of opposing ideas in parallel grammatical structure.

Aphorism

A concise, memorable statement expressing a truth or observation.

Asyndeton

Omission of conjunctions in a series for emphasis.

Enthymeme

A syllogism with part of the argument omitted, focusing on premise and conclusion.

Euphemism

A mild or indirect term substituted for a harsher one.

Fallacies

Flawed or misleading arguments; many types exist.

Hyperbole

Deliberate exaggeration not meant to be taken literally.

Hypotheticals

Hypothetical scenarios used to explore an idea.

Invective

Harsh, abusive language aimed at attacking someone.

Juxtaposition

Placing two elements side by side to highlight contrasts.

Malapropism

Mistaken use of a word for comic effect.

Paradox

A seemingly self-contradictory statement that may reveal truth.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines contradictory terms.

Parallelism

Phrases/clauses with the same grammatical structure.

Polysyndeton

Use of multiple conjunctions in close succession.

Rhetorical Question

A question posed to provoke thought rather than to elicit an answer.

Sensory Detail

Descriptive language appealing to the senses.

Shift

A change in tone, point of view, or style within a work.

Syllogism

A three-part logical argument: major premise, minor premise, conclusion.

Tone

The author’s attitude toward the subject or audience.

Tone Shift

A change in tone within a text.

Perspective

The narrator’s or speaker’s point of view; may shift.

Purpose

The reason the argument was created; the aim of writing.

Theme/Thesis

The central message or argument of a work.

Voice

The author’s or narrator’s distinctive style or persona.

Apostrophe

Directly addressing an absent or inanimate object as if it were present.

Cliché

A worn-out expression that loses originality.

Imagery

Vivid descriptive language that appeals to the senses.

Verbal Irony

Saying the opposite of what is meant.

Situational Irony

A result that is the opposite of what is expected.

Extended Metaphor

A metaphor developed at length across a passage or work.

Paradox

A seemingly self-contradictory statement that may reveal truth.

Oxymoron

A combination of contradictory terms for emphasis.

Personification

Giving human traits to nonhuman things.

Pun

A joke exploiting multiple meanings or sounds of a word.

Simile

A comparison using like or as.

Audience

The people the author is addressing or appealing to.

Argument

A reasoned claim supported by evidence.

Ethos

Credibility-based appeal to the audience.

Pathos

Emotional appeal to the audience.

Logos

Logical appeal based on reason and evidence.

Exigence (Rhetorical Occasion)

The situation or reason that motivates the argument.

Claim

A statement the argument asserts as true.

Deductive Reasoning

Reasoning from general principles to specific conclusions.

Inductive Reasoning

Reasoning from specific examples to a general rule.

Line of Reasoning

The logical sequence of claims and evidence leading to a conclusion.

Evidence/Data

Facts or observations that support a claim.

Warrant

The assumption linking evidence to the claim.

Counterargument

An opposing argument.

Concession

Acknowledgment of a valid point in the opposing view.

Rebuttal

Response that refutes the opposing argument.

Expository

A mode that informs, explains, or describes.

Classification

Grouping a subject within a larger category.

Cause/Effect

Analysis of how one thing leads to another.

Comparison and Contrast

Highlighting similarities and differences.

Definition

Placing a subject in a category and distinguishing it from others.

Analysis

Examination of content and style to interpret meaning.

Description

Vividly detailing how something looks or feels.

Narration

Telling events in time or space; involves plot and sequence.

Persuasion/Argument

Writing aimed at convincing readers through logic and/or emotion.