AP Glossary Flash Cards
Active Voice Definiton
The subject of the sentence performs the action.
Active Voice Example
You must not leave the door open.
Active Voice Effect
Makes writing more concise and more engaging.
Allusion Definition
An indirect reference to something with which the reader is supposed to be familiar.
Allusion Example
If it doesn’t stop raining, I’m going to build an ark.
Allusion Effect
Designed to call comparisons in mind to get the writers point across.
Alter-ego Definition
When an author speaks directly to the audience through a character.
Alter-ego Example
The narrator in the story tells the reader what is happening in the story and why it is happening.
Alter-ego Effect
It allows the author to communicate with the audience more smoothly instead of disrupting the flow of the writing.
Anecdote Definition
A brief recounting of a relevant episode.
Anecdote Example
I wish I studied for the test better. I spent so much time goofing and and not taking the class seriously that when the time for the test cam around I didn’t know anything on it. I got such a terrible grade and was ground as well.
Anecdote Effect
Effect is often to create an emotional or sympathetic response.
Antecedent Definition
The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.
Antecedent Example
(Bob Frank) like his toys. (Antecedent)
Antecedent Effect
Effect is it makes the composition words, grammar, and the expression of the writers clear and precise.
Classicism Definition
Art or literature characterized by a realistic view of people and the world.
Classicism Example
An example of this would be Renaissance Paintings
Classicism Effect
The effect of this is it has throwback the audience to classics of the Greeks and Romans due to the style similarity.
Comic Relief Definition
When a humorous scene is inserted into a serious story, in order to lighten the mood
somewhat.
Comic Relief Example
As the fat man is running from the gunman he sees a donut stand and stops to buy donuts, eat them, and then starts running again screaming.
Comic Relief Effect
Gives the audience a breather during tense situations.
Diction Definition
Word choice, particularly as an element of style.
Diction Example
Formal: Germs
Informal: Bug
Diction Effect
Creates a certain tone that supports purpose
Colloquial Definition
Ordinary or familiar type of conversation.
Colloquial Example
You’re nuts.
Colloquial Effect
Useful in creating a bond between reader and writer that makes it easier for the reader to agree with the writer’s point of view
Connotation Definition
The associations suggested by a
word. Implied meaning rather than literal meaning.
Connotation Example
Neutral; visitor
Positive; Guest
Negative; Intruder
Connotation Effect
Create emotional associations that can be either positive, negative, or neutral.
Denotation Definition
The literal, explicit meaning of a word, without its connotations.
Denotation Example
Star is a ball of light/glass in the sky.
Denotation Effect
Used when an author wants the reader to understand a word, phrase, or sentence in its literal form, without other implied, associated, or suggested meanings.
Jargon Definition
The diction used by a group which practices a similar profession or activity.
Jargon Example
Bang for the buck
Jargon Effect
Condenses meaning and allows us to share information effectively
Vernacular Definition
- Language or dialect of a particular country. 2. Language or dialect of a regional
clan or group. 3. Plain everyday speech
Vernacular Example
Example?
Vernacular Effect
Effect?
Didactic Definition
A term used to describe fiction, nonfiction or poetry that teaches a specific lesson or moral or
provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.
Didactic Example
Slow and steady wins the race is what the tortoise and the heir taught children.
Didactic Effect
Type of literature that’s primary purpose is to teach a lesson (moral, political, religious, etc) to the reader.
Adage Definition
A folk saying with a lesson.
Adage Example
You can’t have your cake and eat it too.
Adage Effect
expresses a general fact or truth about life
Allegory Definition
A story, fictional or non fictional, in which characters, things, and events represent qualities or concepts.
Allegory Example
Superman who is afraid of nothing, he is confident in his powers. What can bring this almighty person to his knees, a mysterious rock called kryptonite.
Allegory Effect
Create some distance between themselves and the issues they are discussing, especially when those issues are strong critiques of political or societal realities.
Aphorism Definition
A terse statement which expresses a general truth or moral principle.
Aphorism Example
“Honesty is the best policy.” Benjamin Franklin
Aphorism Effect
Affords writers wonderful opportunity to mean what they say and say what they mean.
Passive Voice Definition
The subject of the sentence receives the action.
Passive Voice Example
The cat was petted by Beth.
Passive Voice Effect
Highlight important events by putting them in the beginning of the sentence.
Ellipsis Definition
The deliberate omission of a word or phrase from prose done for effect by the author.
Ellipsis Example
Hello….. I guess
Ellipsis Effect
Adds effect to the writing like suspense
Euphemism Definition
A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts.
Euphemism Example
Original sentence: Uncle Bill died last year.
Euphemism: Uncle Keith passed away laster.
Euphemism Effect
Allows a writer to address potentially sensitive, offensive, or unpleasant subjects in a more delicate or less damaging manner than literal words or phrasings would be.
Figurative Language Definition
Writing that is not meant to be taken literally.
Figurative Language Example
Metaphor, Simile, Personification
Figurative Language Effect
It makes the descriptions in the text more vivid to the reader, and it helps readers to visualize what they are reading.
Analogy Definition
Comparison of one pair of variables to a parallel set of variables.
Analogy Example
In is to out as up is to down
Analogy Effect
Showing a connection between two different things, writers help to explain something important about one thing by using a second thing you already know about.
Hyperbole Definition
Exaggeration
Hyperbole Example
My mother will kill me if she finds out I broke the TV.
Hyperbole Effect
Used to highlight points and add emphasis to a feeling, an idea, an action, or a feature.
Idiom Definition
A common, often used expression that doesn’t make sense if you take it literally.
Idiom Example
I got chewed out by my mom.
Idiom Effect
Used to add dynamism and character to otherwise stale writing.
Metaphor Definition
Making an implied comparison, not using “like,” as,” or other such words.
Metaphor Example
He shines so bright that he is the sun.
Metaphor Effect
Allows writers to convey vivid imagery that transcends literal meanings, creates images that are easier to understand and respond to than literal language
Metonymy Definition
Replacing an actual word or idea, with a related word or concept.
Metonymy Example
Relations between Chicago and New York have been strained.
Metonymy Effect
Allows the reader a more profound way of considering the meaning of an image or concept that the writer is trying to convey.
Synecdoche Definition
A kind of metonymy when a whole is represented by naming one of its parts, or vice versa.
Synecdoche Example
Check out my new windows.
Synecdoche Effect
Allow speakers to emphasize certain parts of a whole, highlighting their importance by substituting them for the whole. They also draw attention to the power of associative and referential thinking, as readers automatically understand that a part can stand for the whole and vice versa.
Simile Definition
Using words such as “like” or “as” to make a direct comparison between two very
different things.
Simile Example
His nails are sharp as claws.
Simile Effect
Can create a vivid image in the reader’s mind, helping to engage and absorb them.
Synesthesia Definition
a description involving a “crossing of the senses.”
Synesthesia Example
I was deafened by his brightly-colored clothing.
Synesthesia Effect
Allows authors to deliver another level of description in literature. It challenges readers to think out of the box and reinterpret their senses as they know them.
Personification Definition
Giving human-like qualities to something that is not human.
Personification Example
The wind screamed as it blew past me.
Personification Effect
Provides personality, energy, will, and emotion to an otherwise lifeless scene.
Foreshadowing Definition
When an author gives hints about what will occur later in a story.
Foreshadowing Example
There killer hiding behind the second door waiting for an unexpecting person to walk by. Poor Bob gets closer and closer to the second door unexpecting of what lies in wait.
Foreshadowing Effect
It is a technique used to change the perception of the audience by providing them with more knowledge than to some or all of actual characters involved. Depending on how it is used, it can serve as an element for humor, fear, tension, excitement, suspicion or, most commonly, suspense and anticipation.
Genre Definition
The major category into which a literary work fits.
Genre Example
Fiction, Nonfiction
Genre Effect
Give writers a specific type of literature to work within. Allow people to classify literature, to deem what is appropriate for a certain type of literature, and to judge the merit of literature based on its genre.
Gothic Definition
Writing characterized by gloom, mystery, fear and/or death.
Gothic Example
Horror story written for suspense and to scare the reader.
Gothic Effect
Romantic literature elicits personal pleasure from natural beauty, and Gothic fiction takes this aesthetic reaction and subverts it by creating delight and confusion from terror.
Imagery Definition
Word or words that create a picture in the reader’s mind. Usually this involves the five senses.
Imagery Example
As I picked up the bag I felt the mysterious liquid in it slowly run down my arm.
Imagery Effect
It allows readers to directly sympathize with characters and narrators as they imagine having the same sense experiences.
Invective Definition
A long, emotionally violent, attack using strong, abusive language.
Invective Example
You are so weak even a mouse can bully you!
Invective Effect
Invective is an important literary device in that the insult can arouse negative emotion in the audience as well as the target of the insult.
Irony Definition
When the opposite of what you expect to happen does.
Irony Example
A fire station burns down
Irony Effect
Points us towards deeper meanings of a situation.
Verbal irony Definition
When you say something and mean the opposite/something different
Verbal irony Example
Hitting the ball accurately with everything you got takes no effort at all.
Verbal irony Effect
This approach to irony can help the reader gain insight into each character’s personality.
Dramatic irony Definition
When the audience of a drama, play, movie, etc. knows something that the character doesn’t and would be surprised to find out.
Dramatic irony Example
Knowing the choice the character made was the wrong one, while the character themselves believed they made the correct choice.
Dramatic irony Effect
Puts the audience and readers above the characters, and also encourages them to anticipate, hope, and fear the moment when a character would learn the truth behind events and situations of the story.
Situational irony Definition
Found in the plot (or story line) of a book, story, or movie.
Situational irony Example
You walk down the side of the street and see a fire hydrant on fire.
Situational irony Effect
Can make a plot twist more interesting, draw attention to a reader’s unwarranted biases, or show how a character handles an unexpected situation.
Juxtaposition Definition
Placing things side by side for the purposes of comparison.
Juxtaposition Example
A well dressed lady in the finest clothes returns home to a small run down house.
Juxtaposition Effect
Used to fully illustrate a character in a novel, complicate a poem’s subjects, or convince an audience to feel a certain way about the subjects.
Mood Definition
The atmosphere created by the literature and accomplished through word choice (diction)
Mood Example
Tense air around the characters as they sit silently staring at each other with stares as sharp as blades.
Mood Effect
Evokes various emotional responses in readers, and thus ensures their emotional attachment to the literary piece they read.
Motif Definition
a recurring idea in a piece of literature
Motif Effect
Motifs allow authors, writers, and directors to create a more poetic and structured narrative, cluing in readers and audiences to symbols of larger ideas. Motifs are partners to themes, as repetitive images and symbols emphasize the overarching themes of the work.
Oxymoron Definition
When apparently contradictory terms are grouped together and suggest a paradox
Oxymoron Example
Smart fool
Oxymoron Effect
Challenge audiences in speeches, poetry, and prose with confusing phrases that apparently contradict themselves, but upon further inspection, make sense. Oxymora encourage audiences to think beyond everyday logic in order to critically think about and understand paradoxes.
Pacing Definition
The speed or tempo of an author’s writing
Pacing Example
A story can be fast, sluggish, stabbing, vibrato, staccato, measured, etc.
Pacing Effect
Affects the mood of your story, helps develop ideas and themes, and allows your readers to connect to the characters and the events that surround them.
Paradox Definition
A seemingly contradictory situation which is actually true
Paradox Example
I must be cruel only to be kind.
Paradox Effect
Used to illustrate the speaker or writer’s opinion which is contradictory to accepted traditional thought on the subject.
Parallelism Definition
Sentence construction which places equal grammatical constructions near each other, or repeats identical grammatical patterns.
Parallelism Example
One step for man one leap for mankind.
Parallelism Effect
Simple uses of parallelism create readable and understandable passages. More importantly, though, parallelism also provides prose, poetry, and speeches with symmetry that the human eye and ear both crave. This symmetry creates a rhythm and repetition which can make phrases more catchy, memorable, or compelling.
Anaphora Definition
Repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences or clauses in a row.
Anaphora Example
I’m sick and tired of these vocab words. I’m sick of tired of doing this. I’m sick and tired of having to type this already.
Anaphora Effect
Anaphora serves to emphasize certain ideas, which can stir up associated emotions and appeal to the audience in order to inspire, convince, or challenge.
Chiasmus Definition
When the same words are used twice in succession, but the second time, the order of the words is reversed
Chiasmus Example
Work hard so that in time you can see your hard work.
Chiasmus Effect
Great way to make readers perceive your writing as more complete.
Antithesis Definition
Two opposite or contrasting words, phrases, or clauses, or even ideas, with parallel structure.
Antithesis Example
It was so much fun, it was the worst time I have ever had.
Antithesis Effect
Used in writing or speech either as a proposition that contrasts with or reverses some previously mentioned proposition, or when two opposites are introduced together for contrasting effect.
Zeugma Definition
When a single word governs or modifies two or more other words, and the meaning of the first word must change for each of the other words it governs or modifies.
Zeugma Example
The girls left the room with tear-filled eyes and hearts.
Zeugma Effect
The basic function of zeugma is surprise.
Parenthetical Idea Definition
Parentheses are used to set off an idea from the rest of the sentence.
Parenthetical Idea Example
I just got a new pet dog (We will name him Broly).
Parenthetical Idea Effect
also signify a break in thought, but they mark an addition of information rather than an interruption like dashes do
Parody Definition
An exaggerated imitation of a serious work for humorous purposes.
Parody Example
My sister decided to dress up a Billie Eillish and sing her songs, which sounded terrible.
Parody Effect
Is important because it allows us to criticize and question without being aggressive or malicious. Imitates, stresses, and draws attention to certain features, characters, or plot points which are weak, silly, strange, or subject to criticism of any sort.
Persona Definition
The fictional mask or narrator that tells a story.
Persona Example
The man decided to put up an act around the kids so that they could open up to him more.
Persona Effect
To express ideas, beliefs, and voices they are not able to express freely, due to some restrictions, or because they cannot put into words otherwise.
Poetic device Definition
A device used in poetry to manipulate the sound of words, sentences or lines.
Poetic device Example
Alliteration. Assonance. Imagery. Metaphor. Onomatopoeia. Personification
Poetic device Effect
Enhance the timing and rhythm of the poem, the meaning of the words or the emotions felt by those reading it.
Alliteration Definition
The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words.
Alliteration Example
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
Alliteration Effect
Used to give a poem a calm, smooth feeling or a loud, harsh feeling.
Assonance Definition
The repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds.
Assonance Example
The light of the fire is a sight.
Assonance Effect
Provides poetic writing with rhythm and musicality.
Consonance Definition
The repetition of the same consonant sound at the end of words or within words.
Consonance Example
Mike likes his new bike.
Consonance Effect
A form of expression in sound, without conceptual meaning, but rather a feeling. Some sounds are percussive (like drums) and harsh, like K’s. Others have a more flowing, liquid sound, like F’s and L’s.
Onomatopoeia Definition
The use of a word which imitates or suggests the sound that the thing makes.
Onomatopoeia Example
BOOM, POW
Onomatopoeia Effect
Valuable way to describe sound, creating the actual sound in the reader’s mind.
Internal rhyme Definition
When a line of poetry contains a rhyme within a single line.
Internal rhyme Example
I looked up at the rain, as my anxiety was drained.
Internal rhyme Effect
Employed to heighten the poem’s effect
Slant rhyme Definition
When a poet creates a rhyme, but the two words do not rhyme exactly – they are merely similar.
Slant rhyme Example
how, row
lovely, funny
eyes light
years, yours
Slant rhyme Effect
Many poets use slant rhyme to introduce an element of the unexpected and prompt their readers to pay closer attention to words themselves rather than the sounds of the words.
End rhyme Definition
When the last word of two different lines of poetry rhyme.
End rhyme Example
As the sun shined in the vast sea, we looked out and saw our future out on the sea.
End rhyme Effect
Create rhythm in their works
Rhyme Scheme Definition
The pattern of a poem’s end rhymes
Rhyme Scheme Example
Roses are red, violets are blue, I’m out of my head, with thinking of you.
Rhyme Scheme Effect
Keeps the poem in harmony, and a rhyme scheme helps the audience to understand what is coming.
Stressed and unstressed syllables Definition
In every word of more than one syllable, one of the syllables is stressed, or said with more force than the other syllable(s).
Stressed and unstressed syllables Example
Stressed: appreciate
Unstressed: creation
Stressed and unstressed syllables Effect
Greatly affect the rhythm of the language and writing, its poetic meter and its stress patterns
Meter Definition
A regular pattern to the syllables in lines of poetry.
Meter Example
I do not like green eggs and ham, I do not like them, Sam-I-Am.
Meter Effect
Helps readers understand rhythm as it relates to words and lines in a poem
Free verse Definition
Poetry that doesn’t have much meter or rhyme.
Free verse Example
Rain comes down
Sad day
Better days to come
Free verse Effect
Gives a greater freedom for choosing words, and conveying their meanings to the audience.
Iambic pentameter Definition
Poetry that is written in lines of 10 syllables, alternating stressed and unstressed syllable
Iambic pentameter Example
To be or not to be; that is the question.
Iambic pentameter Effect
Used to make the poem sound monotonous like its subject
Sonnet Definition
A 14 line poem written in iambic pentameter. Usually divided into three quatrains and a couplet.
Sonnet Example
“When I consider how my light is spent,
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest He returning chide;
“Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?”
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, “God doth not need
Either man’s work or His own gifts. Who best
Bear His mild yoke, they serve Him best. His state
Is kingly: thousands at His bidding speed,
And post o’er land and ocean without rest;
They also serve who only stand and wait.” Petrarchan Sonnet
Sonnet Effect
Have allowed poets to examine religious, personal, and political problems.
Polysyndeton Definition
When a writer creates a list of items which are all separated by conjunctions.
Polysyndeton Example
I love to dance and sing and run and play sports.
Polysyndeton Effect
Can slow down the rhythm of a phrase, make it more memorable, or emphasize each individual item in a list.
Pun Definition
When a word that has two or more meanings is used in a humorous way.
Pun Example
Why are teddy bears hungry? Because they are always stuffed!
Pun Effect
Make the reader laugh
Rhetoric Definition
The art of effective communication.
Rhetoric Example
Arguring with someone on why vanilla is better than chocolate.
Rhetoric Effect
A technique used to evoke emotions within the reader or audience. Skilled writers use many different types of rhetorical devices in their work to achieve specific effects.
Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle Definition
The relationships, in any piece of writing, between the writer, the audience, and the subject.
Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle Example
The writer makes a story that connect both him, the audience and the subject together.
Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle Effect
Allows the writer to appeal to the audiences emotions, logic, and ethics.
Rhetorical Question Definition
Question not asked for information but for effect.
Rhetorical Question Example
Why is this decision important?
Rhetorical Question Effect
Allows readers to fill in gaps in writing made by these type of questions.
Romanticism Definition
Art or literature characterized by an idealistic, perhaps unrealistic view of people and the world, and an emphasis on nature
Romanticism Example
The story of Frankenstein.
Romanticism Effect
Makes the text more emotional for the reader.
Sarcasm Definition
A generally bitter comment that is ironically or satirically worded. However, not all satire and irony are sarcastic
Sarcasm Example
Suuurre, you are always right bud.
Sarcasm Effect
Can also be defined as the use of words that mean the opposite of what the speaker or writer intends, especially to insult or show irritation with someone, or to amuse others.
Satire Definition
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
Satire Example
A writing joking about the injustice of one society or leaders of the government.
Satire Effect
Convey social commentary and/or criticism, this allows a writer to create awareness of issues and disparities in society.
Sentence Definition
A sentence is group of words (including subject and verb) that expresses a complete thought.
Sentence Example
I really like your shoes today.
Sentence Effect
The building blocks of stories and writings.
Appositive Definition
A word or group of words placed beside a noun or noun substitute to supplement its meaning
Appositive Example
Bob, a doctor decided to help Jane, the account today.
Appositive Effect
Gives the readers background info on a character.
Clause Definition
A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb
Clause Example
Bob caught the ball.
Clause Effect
Clauses are the building blocks of sentences which make writing and stories possible.
Independent clause Definition
Expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence
Independent clause Example
I love to play video games when I get home from work.
Independent clause Effect
Make up sentences.
Dependent, or subordinate clause Definition
Cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent clause.
Dependent, or subordinate clause Example
Rather than running.
Dependent, or subordinate clause Effect
Go with independent clauses to form sentences and make writing possible.
Balanced sentence Definition
A sentence in which two parallel elements are set off against each other like equal weights on a scale
Balanced sentence Example
I love to run and swim.
Balanced sentence Effect
Gives rhythmical flow to the text. It draws attention of the readers to the sentence and makes it stand out among the rest. Writers use balanced sentences to emphasize particular ideas to make meanings clear, as well as to create pleasing rhythms.
Compound sentence Definition
Contains at least two independent clauses but no dependent clauses.
Compound sentence Example
I love to play and I love to work.
Compound sentence Effect
Create complex communications, adding detail and richness to what otherwise would be a less informative simple sentence
Complex sentence Definition
Contains only one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
Complex sentence Example
When you hit the ball, Run to the second base.
Complex sentence Effect
Create complex communications, adding detail and richness to what otherwise would be a less informative simple sentence.
Cumulative sentence Definition
When the writer begins with an independent clause, then adds subordinate elements.
Cumulative sentence Example
She dropped the food, hurried to clean it.
Cumulative sentence Effect
These sentences become relatively important, as they elucidate the main idea, given in a few words at the beginning. They are useful when the goal of a writer is clarity rather than suspense.
Periodic sentence Definition
When the main idea is not completed until the end of the sentence.
Periodic sentence Example
I awoke to find myself face to face with an excited dog.
Periodic sentence Effect
Produces a dramatic tension and suspense to the main point at the end of the sentence.
Simple sentence Definition
Contains only one independent clause.
Simple sentence Example
I kicked the ball into the goal.
Simple sentence Effect
Can create tension, haste or urgency.
Declarative sentence Definition
States an idea. It does not give a command or request, nor does it ask a question.
Declarative sentence Example
We have ice cream in the freezer.
Declarative sentence Effect
Makes a statement, provides a fact, offers an explanation, or conveys information. Ends with a period
Imperative sentence Definition
Issues a command
Imperative sentence Example
Hurry up!
Imperative sentence Effect
Used to issue a command or instruction, make a request, or offer advice.
Interrogative sentence Definition
Sentences incorporating interrogative pronouns (what, which, who, whom, and whose).
Interrogative sentence Example
Who broke the glass?
Interrogative sentence Effect
Force the reader to think about what you have written; and make it clear that you want the reader to react right away.
Style Definition
The choices in diction, tone, and syntax that a writer makes.
Style Example
I really love looking at the sky.
Style Effect
Convey a specific mood or effect.
Symbol Definition
Anything that represents or stands for something else.
Symbol Example
Red represents the evil in a person.
Symbol Effect
Allows a writer to convey something to their audience in a poetic way instead of saying it outright.
Syntax/sentence variety Definition
Grammatical arrangement of words
Syntax/sentence variety Example
Stop existing, start living. (Parallel syntax.)
Syntax/sentence variety Effect
A writer’s syntax can make a phrase or sentence pleasant to read, or it can make the phrases or sentence jarring and unpleasant. Syntax can also make a writer’s words more memorable.
Theme Definition
The central idea or message of a work.
Theme Example
The central idea of the story is friendship./
Theme Effect
Helps reader to reach a new understanding of some aspect of the human condition.
Thesis Definition
The sentence or groups of sentences that directly expresses the author’s opinion, purpose, meaning, or proposition.
Thesis Example
In turn the reason why people shouldn’t use cars is because it is bad for the environment, saves fuel, and cleaner air.
Thesis Effect
Makes a specific argument about how one person, thing, idea, or event affects another one.
Tone Definition
A writer’s attitude toward his subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language and organization
Tone Example
Cynical, depressed, sympathetic, cheerful, outraged, positive, angry, sarcastic, prayerful, ironic, solemn, vindictive, intense, excited.
Tone Effect
Gives shape and life to a story
Understatement Definition
The ironic minimizing of fact, understatement presents something as less significant than it is.
Understatement Example
Tundra are sometimes cold, dry, and snowy.
Understatement Effect
Instead of having everything spelt out, the reader is given, in a very careful way, just enough information for the imagination to go to work
Litotes Definition
A particular form of understatement, generated by denying the opposite of the statement which otherwise would be used.
Litotes Example
It’s not exactly a walk in the park.
Litotes Effect
Writers often utilize figures of speech to create a specific effect for the reader. As a figure of speech, litotes resembles understatement due to the fact that the intended meaning of the phrase or sentence seems less significant through negative wording
Argument Definition
An argument is a piece of reasoning with one or more premises and a conclusion.
Argument Example
Video games are better than school.
Argument Effect
Used to change people’s points of view or persuade them to accept new points of view
Premises Definition
Statements offered as reasons to support a conclusion are premises.
Premises Example
The premise of the story was based on WW2.
Premises Effect
The foundational idea that expresses the plot in simple terms.
Conclusion Definition
A conclusion is the end result of the argument – the main point being made.
Conclusion Example
In conclusion this is why people shouldn’t litter.
Conclusion Effect
Restate the main argument. It reminds the reader of the strengths of your main argument(s) and reiterates the most important evidence supporting those argument(s)
Aristotle’s appeals Definition
The goal of argumentative writing is to persuade an audience that one’s ideas are valid, or more valid than someone else’s.
Aristotle’s appeals Example
logos, ethos, pathos
Aristotle’s appeals Effect
Appeals to the audience to better help to persuade them to your argument.
Ethos Definition
Means being convinced by the credibility of the author.
Ethos Example
A commercial about a specific brand of toothpaste says that 4 out of 5 dentists use it.
Ethos Effect
It establishes the writer’s credibility. In using ethos, writers exemplify their expertise on the topic and draw themselves as respectable authority figures who their audience can trust to receive reliable information
Pathos Definition
Means persuading by appealing to the reader’s emotions.
Pathos Example
If we don’t finish this all those peoples sacrifice would have been for naught.
Pathos Effect
Evokes an emotional response from a reader by appealing to empathy, fear, humor, or some other emotion.
Logos Definition
Means persuading by the use of reasoning, using true premises and valid arguments.
Logos Example
You should go outside because the sun can give you Vitamin D.
Logos Effect
Convince your audience by using logic and reason
Concession Definition
Accepting at least part or all of an opposing viewpoint
Concession Example
I want a new phone. Yes I know it will be expensive but it has a lot of features that will better help me in life.
Concession Effect
Allows for different opinions and approaches toward an issue, indicating an understanding of what causes the actual debate or controversy.
Conditional Statement Definition
A conditional statement is an if-then statement and consists of two parts, an antecedent and a consequent
Conditional Statement Example
If it snows, school is canceled.
Conditional Statement Effect
Helps show the reader the cause-and effect of situations if they take place.
Contradiction Definition
A contradiction occurs when one asserts two mutually exclusive propositions
Contradiction Example
Schools is fun and school is not fun
Contradiction Effect
Reveal a hidden and/or unexpected truth.
Counterexample Definition
A counterexample is an example that runs counter to (opposes) a generalization
Counterexample Example
Video games is bad for people. Videos games are not bad for people because its proven that people who play them are less stressed then those who don’t.
Counterexample Effect
It allows writers to counter an opposing argument.
Deductive argument Definition
An argument in which it is thought that the premises provide a guarantee of the truth of the conclusion.
Deductive argument Example
All humans are mortal, therefore Bob who is human is mortal.
Deductive argument Effect
Used in literature as well as philosophy to build arguments.
Fallacy Definition
A fallacy is an attractive but unreliable piece of reasoning
Fallacy Example
My parents told me Santa exists, and they wouldn’t lie to me, therefore Santa exists.
Fallacy Effect
Can often be used to mislead people – to trick them into believing something they otherwise wouldn’t. The ability to discern a valid argument from a false one is an important skill
Ad hominem Definition
Personally attacking your opponents instead of their arguments
Ad hominem Example
That’s why you talk funny. Can’t even say your words correctly.
Ad hominem Effect
Point out the biases of characters. When the reader is able to see the way that certain characters attack or criticize other characters there is a clearer understanding of the personality and motivations of that initial character.
Appeal to authority Definition
The claim that because somebody famous supports an idea, the idea must be right.
Appeal to authority Example
A commercial about not doing drugs because LeBron James said that not doing them is what makes him so good.
Appeal to authority Effect
Writers or speakers use appeal to authority, they are claiming that something must be true because it is believed by someone who said to be an “authority” on the subject instead of providing real evidence.
Appeal to the bandwagon Definition
The claim, as evidence for an idea, that many people believe it, or used to believe it, or do it.
Appeal to the bandwagon Example
You should use tik tok because everyone else is doing it, why not join everyone and have fun.
Appeal to the bandwagon Effect
Persuasive technique and a type of propaganda through which a writer persuades his readers, so that the majority could agree with the argument of the writer. He does this by suggesting that, since the majority agrees, the reader should too.
Appeal to emotion Definition
An attempt to replace a logical argument with an appeal to the audience’s emotions.
Appeal to emotion Example
We are all going to die if we stay here please I have a child at home.
Appeal to emotion Effect
Method of persuasion that’s designed to create an emotional response.
Bad analogy Definition
Claiming that two situations are highly similar, when they aren’t
Bad analogy Example
Both John and Jason drive trucks, since John is a farmer, Jason is a farmer as well.
Bad analogy Effect
Makes the argument not reliable.
Cliche thinking Definition
Using as evidence a well-known saying, as if it is proven, or as if it has no exceptions
Cliche thinking Example
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Cliche thinking Effect
Generally closes the mind of the reader down in that it doesn’t present images in a new way or challenge the reader to imagine possibilities that he or she has
False cause Definition
Assuming that because two things happened, the first one caused the second one.
False cause Example
Every time I go to sleep, the sun goes down.
False cause Effect
Falsely assumes that one event causes another. Often a reader will mistake a time connection for a cause-effect connection.
Hasty generalization Definition
A generalization based on too little or unrepresentative data
Hasty generalization Example
Since fat people eat a lot we can consider they are the problem to food shortages throughout the world.
Hasty generalization Effect
Often lead to misinformation and stereotypes.
Non Sequitur Definition
A conclusion that does not follow from its premises; an invalid argument.
Non Sequitur Examples
I object to the world being flat. We have members all around the globe to support this.
Non Sequitur Effect
Used in theater and comedies to create comedic effect.
Slippery slope Definition
The assumption that once started, a situation will continue to its most extreme possible outcome
Slippery slope Example
If you play video games all the time, you will develop into an person who only plays video games and die of health problems.
Slippery slope Effect
In logic, critical thinking, political rhetoric, and caselaw, is an argument in which a party asserts that a relatively small first step leads to a chain of related events culminating in some significant (usually negative) effect.
Inductive argument Definition
An argument in which it is thought that the premises provide reasons supporting the probable truth of the conclusion
Inductive argument Example
The third toy from the bag was red so all the toys in the bag are red.
Inductive argument Effect
Generalize what is going to happen or what is happening in text.
Sound argument Definition
A deductive argument is said to be sound if it meets two conditions. First, that the line of reasoning from the premises to the conclusion is valid. Second, that the premises are true.
Sound argument Example
Video games are great for people to use. It has been proven that video games release stress and allow people to live healthy lives.
Sound argument Effect
Readers will believe your side because you have a solid argument.
Unstated premises Definition
Not every argument is fully expressed. Sometimes premises or even conclusions are left unexpressed.
Unstated premises Example
Joe fell from the top of the stairs and landed on his feet, so all cats can do the same thing.
Unstated premises Effect
Leaves readers confused and makes an argument less valid because key info is missing.
Valid argument Definition
An argument is valid if the conclusion logically follows from the premises.
Valid argument Example
The Earth is round because as shown from satellite pictures it shows the would as being round.
Valid argument Effect
Creates an argument that is true.
