AP Glossary #4 Flashcards
Definition Rhetoric
The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.
Definition Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle
The relationships in a piece of writing or a speech among the speaker/writer, the event(s) or experiences that inspired the subject (exigence), the audience, the message, the author’s purpose, and the appeals, tools, and techniques used to achieve that purpose. Context surround and influence every part of the triangle
Definition Rhetorical Question
Question not asked for information but for effect.
Example Rhetorical Question
“The angry parent asked the child, ‘Are you finished interrupting me?’” In this case, the parent does not expect a reply, but simply wants to draw the child’s attention to the rudeness of interrupting
Impact Rhetorical Question
They encourage effective communication and help control an audience’s speech and thoughts.
Definition Romanticism
Art or literature characterized by an idealistic, perhaps unrealistic view of people and the world, and an emphasis on nature. Does not rely on traditional themes and structure.
Example Romanticism
Some examples of romanticism include: the publication Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge. the composition Hymns to the Night by Novalis
Definition Sarcasm
A generally bitter comment that is ironically or satirically worded. However, not all satire and irony are sarcastic. It is the bitter, mocking tone that separates sarcasm from mere verbal irony or satire
Example Sarcasm
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is a good example of sarcasm
Impact Sarcasm
As a literary device, sarcasm plays a vital role in understanding various characters through their dialogue, which is typically how authors incorporate it
Definition Satire
A work that reveals a critical attitude toward some element of life to a humorous effect. It targets human vices and follies, or social institutions and conventions
Example Satire
George Orwell’s Animal Farm.
Impact Satire
Balanced sentences enhance clarity and emphasize connections between ideas by creating a symmetrical structure
Definition Sentence
A sentence is group of words (including subject and verb) that expresses a complete thought
Definition Appositive
A word or group of words placed beside a noun or noun substitutes to supplement its meaning.
Example Appositive
“Bob, the lumber yard worker, spoke with Judy, an accountant from the city.”
Impact Appositive
Appositives provide additional descriptions and context when introducing a new character or location
Definition Clause
A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb
Definition Balanced sentence
A sentence in which two parallel elements are set off against each other like equal weights on a scale
Example balanced sentence
“If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.”
Impact balanced sentence
Balanced sentences enhance clarity and emphasize connections between ideas by creating a symmetrical structure.
Definition Compound sentence
Contains at least two independent clauses but no dependent clauses.
Example Compound Sentence
I really need to go to work, but I am too sick to drive.
Definition Complex sentence
Contains only one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
Example Complex Sentence
“The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman stood up in a corner and kept quiet all night, although of course they could not sleep.”
Definition Cumulative Sentence
When the writer begins with an independent clause, then adds subordinate elements.
Example Cumulative Sentence
“He doubted whether he could ever again appear before an audience, his confidence broken, his limbs shaking, his collar wet with perspiration.”
Definition Periodic sentence
When the main idea is not completed until the end of the sentence. The writer begins with subordinate elements and postpones the main clause.
Example Periodic sentence
“His confidence broken, his limbs shaking, his collar wet with perspiration, he doubted whether he could ever again appear before an audience.”
Definition Simple sentence
Contains only one independent clause.
Example Simple sentence
Mary and Samantha took the bus.
Definition Declarative sentence
States an idea. It does not give a command or request, nor does it ask a question.
Example Declarative sentence
“The ball is round.”
Definition Imperative sentence
Issues a command.
Example Imperative sentence
“Kick the ball.”
Definition Interrogative sentence
Sentences incorporating interrogative pronouns (what, which, who, whom, and whose).
Example Interrogative sentence
“To whom did you kick the ball?”
Definition Style
The choices in diction, tone, and syntax that a writer makes. Style may be conscious or unconscious.
Definition Symbol
Anything that represents or stands for something else. Usually a symbol is something concrete such as an object, actions, character…that represents something more abstract.
Example Symbol
Examples of symbols include the Whale in Moby Dick, the river and the jungle in Heart of Darkness, and the Raven in “The Raven.”
Impact Symbol
Symbols add depth and layers of meaning to a story. It allows authors to convey complex and abstract ideas in a subtle and nuanced way.
Definition Syntax/sentence variety
Grammatical arrangement of words.
Definition Theme
The central idea or message of a work.
Example Theme
Some themes are: love, family, justice, gender roles, the environment, or the pursuit of revenge.
Definition Thesis
The sentence or groups of sentences that directly expresses the author’s opinion, purpose, meaning, or proposition. It should be short and clear.
Example Thesis
In William Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 46,” both physicality and emotion together form powerful romantic love. This is a thesis statement.
Definition Tone
A writer’s attitude toward his subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language and organization.
Example Tone
“He replied in a friendly tone.”, “Don’t use that rude tone of voice with me.”
Impact Tone
The tone of a document can affect how the reader perceives the writer’s intentions.
Definition Understatement
The ironic minimizing of fact, understatement presents something as less significant than it is.
Example Understatement
“Our defense played valiantly, and held the other team to merely eight touchdowns in the first quarter.”
Impact Understatement
This will often lead to the emphasis on the very thing that the writer or speaker appears to downplay.
