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