AP Lang Notes #21-40 Flashcards
anaphora
in writing or speech, the deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect is known as anaphora
epistrophe
derived from a Greek word that means turning upon, which indicates the same word returns at the end of each sentence. epistrophe is a stylistic device that can be defined as the repetition of phrases or words at the end of the clauses or sentences. it is also called epiphora. epitrophe examples are frequently found in literary pieces, in persuasive writing and speeches
asyndeton
derived from a Greek word asyndeton which means unconnected. it is a stylistic device used in literature and poetry to intentionally eliminate conjunctions between the phrases and in the sentence, yet maintain the grammatical accuracy. this literary tool helps in reducing the indirect meaning of the phrase and presents it in a concise form. asyndeton helps in speeding up the rhythm of words. mostly the technique is employed in speech nut can be used in written works too.
polysyndeton
comes from a Greek word meaning “bound together”. it makes use of coordinating conjunctions like “and”, “or”, “but”, and “nor” which are used to join successive words, phrases, or clauses in such a way that these conjunctions are even used where they might have been omitted.
synecdoche
a literary device in which a part of something represents the whole or it may use a whole to represent a part. distinguishing between this and metonymy of take some thoughtful consideration.
- the word “bread” refers to food or money as in “writing is my bread and butter” or “sole breadwinner”
- the phrase “gray beard” refers to an old man
tone
in written composition, is an attitude of a winner toward a subject or an audience. it is something important for the reader to “sense” to determine an argument. tone is generally converted through the choice of words or the viewpoint of a writer on a particular subject.
process analysis
a step-by-step breakdown of the phrases of a process, used to convey the details of each phase of thinking, an operation, etc. it is often used to improve understanding and also to break down an argument to make it more comprehensible
syntax
a set of rules in a language. it dictates how words from different parts of speech are put together in order to convey a complete thought. in plain English, “syntax” refers to HOW we choose to arrange our words. the choice of those specific words is called DICTION. thus, the two are closely related in creating an argument.
provocative diction
“diction” is our choice of words. Thus, “provocative diction” is the purposeful choice of words serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate a PROVOCATIVE question that will frame a rhetorical argument
classification
the action or process of classifying something according to shared qualities or characteristics. this often is a strategy of argumentation or an argumentative response in an effort to provide the reader with structure to YOUR argument. it would be considered a support to both LOGOS & ETHOS in presenting an argument
understatment
for example, you win the lottery. when you tell a news reporter “I am delighted”, you are making an understatement. similarly, suppose a team loses a soccer match and the captain of the team says in a post-match ceremony says, “we did not do well”, is an understatement because he is trying to decrease the intensity of the loss. it is the opposite of HYPERBOLE or OVERSTATEMENT
colorful diction
diction is your conscious choice of words as a writer. It stands to reason that “color diction” is very purposeful word choice that will serve to accentuate meaning and tone.
counterargument
an argument or a set of reasons put forward to oppose an idea or theory developed in another argument. when writing in the argumentative mode, it is MANDATORY that the writer that acknowledges the “other” side of his/her argument. it is part of the refutation of someone else’s claim to support your own “side” of the argument you are making
claim
if somebody gives an ARGUMENT to SUPPORT his/her POSITION, it is called making a claim. different reasons are usually presented to prove why a certain point should be accepted as logical. a general model is given below to explain the steps following in making a claim. premise 1 premise 2 premis 3... premise N therefor, conclusion
evidence
a type of literary device the appears in different categories of essays and theses in the form of paraphrase & quotations. it is presented to persuade the readers and used with powerful argument in the text or essays. in rhetoric, when a person makes a claim and argument, they need to present evidence in support of their claim or argument. if there is no evidence, the claim stands quashed. the same is true with a case in law where a case in litigation is quashed, if there is no evidence to support the claim. however, literary evidence is only used in literature, essays and research papers for persuasion and convincing purposes.
