AP Language Chapter 2 Terms w/ Examples

Ad Hominem Argument

A fallacious argument that criticizes an idea by pointing something out about the person whol holds the idea, rather than directly addressing the actual merit of the idea. Exp. rap battles... mother daughter disputes... love... Exp. "Of course the writer supports tax cuts; She's rich!"

Fallacy

A false or mistaken idea. Erroneous ideas. Rhetorical fallacies appear as answers in the MC section... hopefully #smith #isthisafallacy

Synecdoche

A form of metonymy that is just for cases where a part is used to signify a whole. Exp. All hands on deck!

Theme

A general idea contained in a text. An idea that is developed upon.

Caricature

A ludicrous exaggeration of the defects of persons or things

Extended Metaphor

A metaphor that lasts for longer than just one phrase or sentence. Do not use on AP essays

Rhetorical Question

A question whose answer is obvious. Attempt to prove something without presenting argument. Often coupled with irony. (Aren't AP exams a blast?)

Adage/Proverb

A short metaphorical centence. Exp. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

Maxim

A short metaphorical sentence containing wisdom; Like adage/proverb. Exp. "When there's life, there's hope."

Motto

A short, suggestive expression of a guiding principle. Exp. "All the news that's fit to print."

Metaphor

A simile without the words "like" or "as"

Non Sequitur

A statement that does not logically relate to what comes before it. Exp. "Beyonce is flawless, so my front row seats that I haven't bought yet at the concert are going to be dipped in sparkles."

Narration

A story in which pieces of information are arranged in chronological order. Can be both personal and impersonal.

Euphemism

A word or words used to avoid employing an unpleasant or offensive term.

Paradox

Apparent contradiction of ideas/statements (Exp. The only way to overcome death is to die.)

Oxymoron

Apparent contradiction of terms (Exp. Jumbo shrimp)

Slippery Slope

Arguments that suggest dire consequences from relatively minor causes. Exp. "If we stop eating salad, everybody will be obese."

Rhetoric

Art of speaking or writing effectively. Speaker, subject, audience.

Red Herring

Attempts to shift attention away from an important issue by introducing an issue that has no logical connection to the discussion at hand. Exp. Fan: "Beyonce is clearly flawless." Dad: "Do you have an extra change... I am hungry"

Tone

Attitude, mood, or sentiments revealed by style; Describes HOW the author seems to be feeling (optimistic;ironic;playful;etc)

Appeal to Ignorance

Based on the assumption that whatever has not been proven must be true and vice versa. Exp. "No one has ever seen Beyonce with flaws, therefore, she is indeed flawless."

Reverse Causation

Casual arguments that are often flawed because the reverse causation is equally plausible.

Simile

Comparison between two unlike objects with words "like" or "as."

Aphorism

Concise, pithy statement of an opinion or a general truth. Exp. "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

False Dichotomy

Consists of a consideration of only the two extremes when there are one or more intermediate possibilities. Exp. "Flawless is the epitomy of Beyonce and her persona." [Neglects Baby Boy and Partition... ok...] "AP Calculus CD is impossible. Either you get it or you don't..."

Straw Man Argument

Consists of an oversimplification of an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack. Exp. "Students who want to eliminate the school uniform are exhibitionists who want to show off bare midriffs."

Imagery

Conveys sensory perception (visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile, or gustatory)

Definition

Defines words/objects/ideals in order to promote better understanding. Puts words/ideals into categories (defining it in terms the audience will understand). There is also definition by negation which impresses upon the reader the importance of the item which it is being "negatively" compared.

Classification/Division

Dividing topic into groups according to certain characteristics.We classify to more easily analyze, parse, and explain. You need a central idea to do this (thesis). Exp. Charles Darwin's Descent of Man <3

Dogmatism

Does not allow for discussion because the speaker presumes that his/her/hir beliefs are beyond question. Exp. "Beyonce is flawless because she is flawless." (Dogma = deeply-held belief)

Cause and Effect

Explains why things should be or should have been done. Exposes the process responsible for the process.

Begging the Question

Fallacious form of argument in which someone assumes that parts (or all) of what the speaker claims to be proven are proven facts. Exp. "Beyonce said she woke up flawless, thus, she wakes up flawless." -Ruby Pittman

Faulty Analogy

Illogical, misleading comparison between two things. Exp. "Why should Beyonce be considered flawless? If somebody wanted to jump off of a bridge, would you too?"

Parody

Imitation for comic effect

Personification

Inanimate objects/concepts given human qualities Anthropomorphism- Specific type of personification wherein animals are given human qualities

Classical Appeals

Logos- Appeal to reason and logic; evidence, hard facts, statistics, cause and effect... Ethos- Appeal to speaker's credibility; Whether he/she/zhe is to be believed on the basis of their character/expertise. Pathos- Appeal to the emotions, values, desires of the audience; Aristotle's bae

Style

Manner of expression. How the author uses language to get his/her/hir point across. (emotive;scientific;pedantic;etc)

Syntax

Ordering of words in a sentence; sentence structure. Allows one to see the absurdity of ALL forms of ceremonial deference.

Hyperbole

Overstatement or exaggeration (of facts); Often for comedic effect

Bandwagon Appeals

Peer pressure; Encourages listener/reader to agree with a position

Pun

Play on words

Understatement

Presents facts in a way that makes them appear much less significant than they really are. Often used for comedic effect.

Bombast

Pretentious and inflated speech. (adjectives are bombastic)

Situational Irony

Refers to a situation that runs contrary to what was expected.

Faulty Casualty

Refers to the (sometimes unintentional) setting up of a cause-and-affect relationship when none exists. Exp. "Violent crime among adolescents has risen in the past decade, and that is the result of increased sales of violent video games."

Lampoon

Sharp ridicule of the behavior or character of a person or institution

Sarcasm

Simple verbal irony used with intent to injure.

Satire

Something that is portrayed in a way that's deliberately distorted

Induction

Specific examples are used to reach a general conclusion. Leads from a PART to a WHOLE.

Figurative language

Speech or writing that departs from literal meaning to achieve a special effect or meaning

Point of View

Stance revealed by style and tone; Author's position on the topic discussed. (if fictional work one might put "first person narrator," "third person omniscient narrator," etc.

Verbal Irony

Stating one thing, meaning another. Spoken and in print.

Sentimental Appeals

Tactic that attempts to appeal to the hearts of the reader so that they forget their minds. PATHOS

Circumlocution

Talking around a subject (normal life)... Talking around a word (AP test)...

Equivocation

Telling part of the truth, while deliberately hiding the entire truth; lying by omission

Argument from Authority

Tempts us to agree with the writer's assumptions based on the authority of a famous person or entity on his or her character. Exp. "If Beyonce does it... it must be flawless." -Ruby Pittman

Passage Questions Pertaining to Content/Form

The opening sentence of the passage contains... The most significant transition takes place in... All of the following are part of the same extended metaphor EXCEPT... Which term in the first paragraph serves to prepare the dominant point of the final paragraph... Which of the following best describes the rhetorical function of lines __-__... This passage is most notable for its... In context, one can infer that "___" is... Which of the following phrases represents a literary allusion... Which of the following landscape features are described throughout the entire passage... In line __, "___" most nearly means... "___________"(lines __-__) is in the form of... The quality discussed in lines __-__ is most directly the antithesis of which of the following...

Passage Questions Pertaining to Author/Speaker

The speaker is addressing... Based on the passage, the speaker's motivation to serve as _______ is dictated mostly by... The speaker in this passage can best be described as... In this passage, the speaker is most notable impressed by... Which of the following are virtually synonymous as presented in the author's description... The author of this passage is most likely... The author relies principally on which of the following to substantiate his thesis... Above all else, the author reveres... The author's tone in the passage as a whole is best described as...

Description

Typically used to communicate a scene, a specific place, or a person to the reader via an appeal to the description of reader's senses. Objective: Based on facts Subjective: Based on feelings or opinions

Dedution

Use of a generalization to draw a concluzion about a specific case. Leads from a WHOLE to a PART.

Process Analysis

Used by writers when they want to explain how to do something or how something was done. Exp. Chronologically ordered recipes...

Analogy

Used to explain things that are difficult to understand by comparing them with things that are easier to understand. Basically, a comparison used to explain something.

Scare Tactics

Used to frighten readers or listeners into agreeing with the speaker; often, when scare tactics are used, the speaker has no logical argument on which to fall back. Exp. Fan: "Beyonce is my life dad. She is flawless, and if you do not accept her flawlessness as what it is you will not be seeing your grandchildren." Dad: "____"

Example/Illustration

Using specific examples to illustrate an idea. Remember to use examples with clarity to illustrate point most effectively. Find ones that really work. -Ruby

Connotation

Vast range of other meanings that a word suggests

HASTY GENERALIZATION/Sampling Error

When a writer deliberately leads you to a conclusion by providing insufficient, selective evidence. Exp. "So, here are the reasons why Beyonce is flawless. Because she just is. And she says it in her songz." -Ruby Dang Tram Pittman

Metonymy

When one term is substituted for another term that is closely associated with is. Exp. The sailors drank a glass of hearty red.

Diction

Word Choice. [Style] Why an author's choice of words is particularly effective, apparent, or clear. Good vocab is salient to comprehending one's diction.

Symbol

Word that represents something other than itself.

Denotation

Word's primary or literary significance

Comparison and Contrast

You note similarities between objects, people, characteristics, and even actions (Comparison). When you note the differences, you are using a rhetorical mode called (Contrast)

Possible Tones

harsh strident informal analytical rueful expository superficial capricious enthusiastic optimistic suspicion confusion horror shock detachment criticism condescension bemusement admiration empathy