Essential AP Language and Composition Terms

Analogy

Explaining something complex by comparing it to something more simple

Argument

The combination of reasons, evidence, ect that an author uses to convince an audience of their position.

Aristotelian appeals

three different methods of appealing to an audience to convince them- ethos, logos, and pathos.

Attitude

The writer’s personal views of feelings about the subject at hand.

Audience

Who the author is directing his/her message towards.

Compare and contrast

Discussing the similarities and differences between two things for some persuasive or illustrative purpose.

Connotation

The implied meaning of a word; words can broadly have positive, negative, or neutral connotations.

Context

the extra-textual environment in which the text is being delivered.

Counter argument

The arguments against the author’s position.

Deductive reasoning

A form of logical reasoning wherein a general principle is applied to a specific case.

Denotation

The literal dictionary-definition meaning of a word.

Diction

The style of language used; generally tailored to be appropriate to the audience and situation.

Ethos

Setting up a source as credible and trustworthy

evidence

The information presented meant to persuade the audience of the author’s position.

Figurative language

The use of language in a non-literal way; I,e, metaphor, simile, ect.

Genre

The specific type of work being presented.

Imagery

Any descriptive language used to evoke a vivid sense or image of something; including figurative language.

Implication

When something is suggested without being concretely stated.

Inductive reasoning

Making a generalization based on specific evidence at hand.

Irony

In the most basic sense, saying the opposite of what you mean; is also used to describe situations in which the results of an action are dramatically different than intended.

Juxtaposition

placing two very different things together for effect.

Logos

Appealing to someone’s sense of concrete facts and logic.

Occasion

The reason or momentot for writing or speaking

Organization

How the different parts of an argument are arranged in a piece of writing or speech.

Pathos

An Aristotelian appeal. Involves appealing to someone’s emotions.

Purpose

The author’s persuasive intention.

Repetition

Re-using a word or phrase repeatedly for effect or emphasis

Rhetoric

The use of spoken or written word (or a visual medium) to convey your ideas and convince an audience.

Rhetorical triangle

The relationship between the author, the audience, the text/message and the context.

Speaker

The persona adopted by the author to deliver his/her message; may or may not actually be the same person as the author.

Style

The author’s own personal approach to rhetoric in the piece; is similar to voice.

Symbolism

Using a symbol to refer to an idea or concept.

Syntax

The way sentences are grammatically constructed.

synthesis

Combining sources or ideas in a coherent way for the purpose of a larger point.

Synthesis

Combining sources or ideas in a way for the purpose of a larger point.

Themes

Overarching ideas or driving premises of a work.

Tone

The use of stylistic devices to reveal an author’s attitude toward a subject.

Voice

An author’s unique sound. Similar to style.