AP LANG TERMS AND DEFINITIONS, Shea Chapter 2, Chapter 1 (Shea), Rhetorical Terms

Aphorism

A brief phrase or saying that expresses an opinion or makes a statement of wisdom without the language of a proverb

Genre

A category of literary composition, determined by literary technique, tone, content, length, etc

Thesis

A central statement or idea that a writer puts forward at the beginning of their argument and will support throughout the text

Theme

A central topic, subject, or idea that is discussed or implied throughout the course of a literary work

Analogy

A connection between familiar and unfamiliar things to suggest a deeper significance or create imagery in the reader's mind

Allusion

A covert or indirect reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art

Refutation

A denial of the validity of an opposing argument Ex: If Person A claims that Chipotle is the best food ever, Peron B may disagree, and give reasons, but Person A will give reasons that are more valid than Person B's

Rhetorical (or Aristotelian) triangle

A diagram that illustrates the interrelationship among the speaker, audience, and subject in a text

Syllogism

A form of logical reasoning that joins 2+ premises to arrive at a conclusion (A = B, B = C, therefore A = C)

Prose

A form or technique that exhibits a natural flow of speech and grammatical structure

Metaphor

A literary device that imaginatively draws a comparison between 2 unlike things (A is B)

SOAPS

A mnemonic device that stands for Subject, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, and Speaker; all are elements of that make up the rhetorical situation Ex: See the terms listed above

Allegory

A narrative where the author uses the characters, plot, setting, or certain events to deliver a broader message about real-world issues and happenings

Predicate nominative/noun

A noun or phrase that provides more information about the subject of the sentence

Antecedent

A phrase/word/clause that is later referred back to by an earlier noun/word/phrase

Rhetorical question

A question that does not expect an answer; asked to emphasize a point

Clause

A related set of words that has a subject and tells the readers what the subject is about and a verb that explains what the subject is doing (independent, dependent, relative, or noun)

Anecdote

A short story about a real person or event to add humor or provoke thought

Irony

A situation in which there is contrast between expectation and reality

Homily

A speech/sermon delivered by a member of the clergy whose purpose is to offer a moral change in direction

Didactic

A term used to describe fiction, nonfiction or poetry (a type of literature) that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.

Expletive

A word or phrase inserted into a sentence that is not needed to express the basic meaning of the sentence; usually it, here, and there

Subject Complement

A word or phrase that follows a linking verb and describes or renames the subject of the sentence

Subordinate Clause

AKA Dependent Clause; a clause that cannot stand on its own and requires an independent clause to be attached to it; compliments the sentence's main clause

Hypophora

AKA anthypophora or antipophora; when the author poses a rhetorical question and answers it

Invective

Abusive or insulting language

Concession

An acknowledgement that a rhetorical argument may be true or reasonable; usually accompanied by a refutation. Ex: A vendor on the street may recognize that they vendor on the other side of the street has good product before mention why his own product is better

Pedantic

An adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish

Predicate adjective

An adjective that follows a linking verb and modifies the subject of the linking verb

Polemic

An aggressive argument that tries to to establish the superiority of one opinion over all others Ex: When stores advertise for their products they may claim that they have the best merchandise out of any of the other competitors

Counterargument

An opposing argument to the one a writer is putting forward Ex: If someone argues that fish is better than chicken, the _________ would be that chicken is better than fish

Hyperbole

An over-exaggeration of something

Narrative

Any account of a series of related events or experiences

Text

Any cultural product that can be "read" and investigated. Ex: poetry, fine art, political cartoons, fashion, or performances

Undertone

Attitude that lies under the ostensible tone of a literary work; implied meaning that usually points toward an underlying theme of a work

Figure of Speech

Changing ordinary language through repetition, substitution, sound, and wordplay

Paradox

Creates a marriage of opposites with two conflicting truths

Generic Conventions

Elements in a story that help the reader identify the genre

Synecdoche

Figure speech that uses a part to represent the whole

Personification

Giving human traits and characteristics to an inanimate object

Style

How a writer decides to express whatever they want to say (diction, syntax, language, etc)

Satire

Human or individual shortcomings are held up to censure by means of ridicule, derision, burlesque, irony, parody, caricature, etc, sometimes with an intent to inspire social reform

Parody

Humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature

Extended Metaphor

Introducing a metaphor in a literary work and further developing that metaphor throughout the story

Inversion

Inverted order of words in the sentence (variation of the subject verb object order)

Figurative Language

Language that does not have its normal definition when used in literature

Litotes

Makes a point by denying its opposite; results in an ironic understatement; answer to a stupid question; make you sound more reasonable

Enumeratio

Making a point forcibly by listing detailed causes or effects

Connotation

Meanings or associations that readers have with a word beyond the definition Ex:Associating the word "kill" with murder, slaughter, or exterminate

Archaic diction

Old-fashioned or outdated choice of words

Asyndeton

Omission of conjunctions between corner phrases, clauses, or words

Oxymoron

Paradoxical juxtaposition of words that seem to contradict one another

Juxtaposition

Placement of two things closely together to emphasize similarities or differences

Wit

Plays off of a situation, mildly amusing; biting or insightful humor

Coherence

Refers to logical connections in a text perceived by the reader

Antithesis

Refers to the juxtaposition of opposing and contrasting ideas with an obvious contrast in words/clauses/sentences

Anaphora

Repetition of a word/phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

Alliteration

Repetition of identical initial consonant sounds in successive clauses in 2+ neighboring words

Anadiplosis

Repetition of the last word of a preceding clause (I like trees. Trees are great)

Antimetabole

Repetition of words in reverse order

Understatement

Representing something as less than what it actually is; minimalize the importance of an event to make it seem less severe

Rhetorical appeals

Rhetorical techniques used to persuade an audience by emphasizing what they find most important or compelling. Ex: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

Periodic sentence

Sentence he's main causes withheld until the end

Cumulative sentence

Sentence that completes the main idea at the beginning of the sentence and then builds and adds on

Hortative sentence

Sentence that exhorts, urges, and treats, implores, or calls to action

Imperative sentence

Sentence used to commander enjoin

Parallelism

Similarity of structure and a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses

Logos

Speakers appeal to this by offering clear, rational ideas and using specific details, examples, facts, statistics, or expert testimony Ex: If the speaker is talking about crime, he or she may use crime rates in the past to help support their argument

Ethos

Speakers appeal to this to demonstrate that they are credible and trustworthy to speak on a given topic Ex: The speaker should mention credentials and qualifications. This will help strengthen credibility

Pathos

Speakers appeal to this to emotionally motivate their audience Ex: If a speaker is trying to persuade an audience to be more active in saving the environment, he or she may find pictures or stories that make the audience feel emtotional

Denotation

The actual definition of a word

Rhetoric

The art of using language to persuade, motivate, or inform via writing or speech

Mood

The atmosphere of the narrative; Created by setting, attitude, and descriptions

Tone

The author's attitude toward or feelings about the subject matter and audience

Imagery

The author's use of vivid and descriptive language to add depth and allow the reader to visualize the scene in their mind

Diction

The author's word choice and the effect it has

Persona

The character that a speaker shows to his or her audience Ex: Politicians may try to present themselves as common people in order to appeal to their audiences

Context

The circumstances,atmosphere, attitudes, and events surrounding a text. Ex: The _______ for Franklin D. Roosevelt's Pearl harbor address was the attack on Pearl harbor

Semantics

The different meanings of words, phrases, signs, or other symbols

Purpose

The goal the speaker wants to achieve Ex: The speaker may intend to inform, persuade, or entertain the audience

Audience

The listener, viewer, or reader of the text. Ex: A group of people watching a movie

Atmosphere

The overall mood of the writing

Speaker

The person or group who creates the text. Ex: Martin Luther King was the _______ or his famous "I Have a Dream" speech

Point of view

The perspective of the story (1st - I, 2nd - You, 3rd - They)

Syntax

The sentence structure and arrangement; a differing arrangement can convey different meanings

Propoganda

The spread of ideas and information to further a cause; can include the use of rumors, lies, disinformation, and scare tactics to damage or promote a cause Ex: A cartoon that shows an elephant in a suit stomping on a box that says "Healthcare"

Exposition

The start of a story where the setting, characters, plot, etc are introduced

Occasion

The time and place a speech is given or a piece is it written Ex: The _______ of Gehrig's speech was Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day

Subject

The topic of a text Ex: The ______ of Lou Gehrig's was his illness

Polysyndeton

The use of several conjunctions to join clauses in a sentence

Colloquialism

Use of informal words or phrases in writing, usually based geographically

Zeugma

Use of two different words into grammatically similar way that produces different, often incongruous, meanings

Euphemism

Using a replacement word to stand for something unpleasant, taboo, or offensive

Symbolism

Using a symbol or object to represent and convey a certain feeling, emotion, or idea in literature

Inference

Using clues provided by the author, observations, and background information to reach a logical conclusion

Sarcasm

Using irony to mock someone or something or convey contempt; words that mean the opposite of the speaker or writer intends (to show insult or humor/amusement)

Repetition

Using the same/similar word or phrase over and over again for a certain desired effect

Onomatopoeia

Using words to describe a sound or noise of an object or action (Pop, Crackle, Boom)

Apostrophe

When a speaker breaks off from addressing one party and instead addresses a third party. This third party may be an individual, either present or absent in the scene. It can also be an inanimate object.

Metonymy

When a thing or concept is represented by something closely related to it

Ambiguity

When a word/phrase/sentence contains more than one meaning for vagueness, confusion, or unintentional humor

Periodic Sentence

When the additional information comes first and the main point follows

Conduplicatio

When the keyword(s) of a clause/phrase/sentence is/are repeated in the successive clause/phrase/sentence

Loose Sentence

When the main point comes first and additional information follows

Chiasmus

When the same words are used twice in succession, but the second time, the order of the words is reversed (Ex: ""When the going gets tough, the tough get going.")

Transition

Words or phrases that tell the reader that new thought, paragraph, idea, or section is coming; Move readers from one idea to another

Conceit

makes a comparison, but the objects are very dissimilar