Ap English Language Terms

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Active Voice

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in this verb form, the subject of the sentence PERFORMS the action denoted by the verb. Example: Gretchen SWEEPS the floor

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ambiguity

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a word or idea that can be understood in multiple ways; frequently refers to the condition of being obscure or difficult to understand

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anachronism

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the misplacement of a person, occurrence, custom, or idea in time; also sometimes refers to an individual or thing that is incorrectly placed in time

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analysis/analytic/analytical

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separating something into the components or elements of which it is made; also skilled in using analysis, especially in reasoning or thinking

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appeal to emotion

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in a written work, the attempt to arouse the audience's feelings and sympathies.

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appeal to character

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the author's attempt to sway readers by creating a positive impression of his or her own character

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appeal to reason

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the author's attempt to influence readers by means of logic, argument, and evidence

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appeal through style

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A writer's attempt to influence readers by choosing words and expressions that create a certain tone or make what the write says vivid and memorable

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archetype

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A theme, motif, symbol, or stock character that holds a familiar place in a culture's consciousness

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argument

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the expression of a position or claim supported by reasons; also a discourse intended to persuade or convince

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argument by definition

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A form of argument in which the writer defines a term by placing it in a particular category, thereby claiming that what is true for the whole category is true for the particular term. Example: "A dog is a living thing. All living things deserve respect. Therefore, dogs deserve respect."

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assumption

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A fact or statement that is taken for granted rather than tested or proved

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audience

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In the context of writing and literature, this term refers to the reading public or to a specific group of intended readers or listeners.

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authority

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In an argument, a person cited because his or her opinion carries special weight or credibility

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caricature

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In writing and literature, an author's exaggeration or distortion of certain traits or characteristics of an individual

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case structure

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The logical outline of an argument, consisting of a claim supported by reasons and evidence

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claim

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A statement or assertion that is open to challenge and that requires support

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closure

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an ending or completion, or something that gives a sense of finality

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conceit

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an extended metaphor, or an elaborate parrallel between two seemingly dissimilar objects or ideas

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convention

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in writing, a practice or principle(such as a rule of spelling, grammar, or usage), that is accepted as true or correct

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dialectic

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a form of reasoning that proceeds by juxtaposing contradictory ideas and synthesizing or finding areas of agreement between them

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digression

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to turn or move away from the main subject of discussion or the main argument in a piece of writing

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emphasis

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force or intensity of expression brought to bear on a particular part of a text or speech

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epitaph

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a brief statement to memorialize a deceased person or a thing, time, or event that has ended

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ethos

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the overall character, moral makeup, or guiding beliefs of an individual, group, or instituion

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evidence

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specific facts or examples used to support a claim in a piece of writing

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explication

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the detailed analysis of a literary work

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formal

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following established rules or conventions of writing

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genre

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One of the types of literature, such as short stories, poetry, drama, and novels, or one of the categories within those types, such as romance, science fiction, mystery, and melodrama

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hypothetical

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involving a hypothesis(an assumption granted for the sake of argument)

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identification

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a rhetorical technique in which a speaker suggests his or her similarity or closeness to a particular group, such as the audience

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idiom

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A way of speaking that is peculiar to a region, group, or class, or the conventional forms peculiar to a language. Also an expression that is odd or incorrect and yet accepted, or one that has a meaning that does not clearly derive from the words that combine to form it.

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informal

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Refers to language appropriate for everyday, casual, or familiar conversation or writing.

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irony

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A technique of detachment that draws awareness to the discrepancy between words and their meanings, between expectation and fulfillment, or, most commonly, between what is and what seems to be.

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logic

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the mode of reasoning by which we determine whether something is valid or invalid, according to which any claim should in principle be able to be justified by reasons and evidence.

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Logos

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Greek for "wisdom" or "reason"; in the context of rhetoric, refers to the process of persuading by means of logic and reason, as opposed to style, authority, or emotion

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mood

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the atmosphere of a work of literature; the emotion created by the work

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motif

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A recurring idea, structure, contrast, or device that develops or informs major themes of a work of literature

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narrative device

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A design pattern in a literary work used to achieve a particular effect

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passive voice

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the subject of the sentence RECEIVES the action denoted by the verb. Always consists of a form of "to be" plus the past participle of the verb.

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persona

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the character an author assumes in a written work

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perspective

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The point of view through which a subject or its parts are mentally perceived

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position

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A point of view or opinion on an issue

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qualifier/ qualification

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A statement that modifies or limits the meaning of a claim

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reason

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a statement offered as an explanation or justification for something; also sufficient basis for believing something or a logical defense

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refutation

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the process of proving something wrong by argument and evidence

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rhetorical context

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The circumstances in which a text is written, including the intended audience, the author's aim or purpose in writing, and the audience's preexisting ideas or opinions

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rhetorical device

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an extraordinary use of language to achieve a certain effect on an audience. Examples are chiasmus, parallelism, rhetorical question, and synechdoche.

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syllepsis

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a stylistic device in which a single word governs or modifies two or more other words in different ways. Example: "Mr. Pickwick took his hat and his leave."

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trope

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A figure of speech that extends the literal meanings of words by inviting a comparison to other words, things, or meanings. Metaphor, metonymy, and simile are three common tropes.

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verbal irony

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the use of a statement that, because of its context, means its opposite.

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pathos

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from the Greek word for "feeling"; the quality in a work of literature that evokes a higher emotion, most commonly sorrow, pity, or compassion