AP Terms (51-75)

Question 1

Logos

Answer 1

In writing and speaking, a persuasive appeal to the audience based on logic and reason.

Question 2

Loose Sentence/ Non-periodic Sentence

Answer 2

A type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first followed by dependent grammatical units like phrases and clauses.

If a period were placed at the end of the independent clause, the clause would be a complete sentence. Loose sentences create loose style.

ex) I arrived at the San Diego airport after a long bumpy ride and multiple delays.

Question 3

Mood

Answer 3

The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work. Setting, tone, and events can affect the mood. The mood is similar to tone and atmosphere.

Question 4

Narrative

Answer 4

The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events. In political speech, also used to suggest “storyline” a politician wants people to hear: “The President tried to push a narrative that he was raising taxes to help people.”

Question 5

Parody

Answer 5

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another for comic effect or ridicule. It exploits peculiarities of an author’s expression.

Question 6

Pathos

Answer 6

In writing and speaking, a persuasive appeal to the audience based on emotion.

Question 7

Pedantic

Answer 7

An adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish (language that might be described as ‘show-offy’; using big words for the sake of using big words).

Question 8

Prose

Answer 8

One major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms. In prose the printer determines the length of the line; In poetry, the poet determines the length of the line.

Question 9

Point of view

Answer 9

In literature, the perspective from which a story is told. There are two general divisions of POV: 1st person narrator, 3rd person narrator, 3rd person omniscient, and 3rd person limited omniscient.

Question 10

Repetition

Answer 10

The duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern.

Question 11

Rhetoric

Answer 11

This term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently and persuasively.

Question 12

Rhetorical modes

Answer 12

This flexible term describes the variety, the conventions, and the purposes of major kinds of writing. The 4 most common rhetorical modes are the purpose of exposition (expository writing), argumentation, description, and narration.

Question 13

Sarcasm

Answer 13

Sarcasm involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something. It may use irony as a device, but not all ironic statements are sarcastic.

Question 14

Satire

Answer 14

A work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule. Satire is best seen as a style of writing rather than a purpose for writing.

Question 15

Semantics

Answer 15

The branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotation, and their relation to one another.

Question 16

Style

Answer 16

(1) An evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices.
(2) Classification of authors to a group and comparison of an author to similar authors.

Question 17

Subject Complement

Answer 17

The word (with any accompanying phrases) or clause that follows a linking verb and complements, or completes, the subject of the sentence by either (1) renaming the predicate nominative or (2) describing the predicate adjective.

Question 18

Subordinate clause

Answer 18

This word group contains both a subject and a verb, but cannot stand alone.

Question 19

Syllogism

Answer 19

A deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.

Question 20

Symbol/Symbolism

Answer 20

Generally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else. Usually, a symbol is something concrete like an object, action, topic, etc, but there are different types of symbols and symbolism: natural symbols, conventional symbols, and literary symbols.

Question 21

Syntax

Answer 21

The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences. Syntax is similar to diction.

Question 22

Thesis

Answer 22

In expository writing, the thesis statement is the sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author’s opinion, purpose, meaning, or position.

Question 23

Tone

Answer 23

Tone describes the author’s attitude toward his material, the audience, or both. Tone is easier to determine in spoken language than in written.

Question 24

Transition

Answer 24

A word or phrase that links different ideas. Transitions signals a shift from one idea to another.

Question 25

Understatement

Answer 25

The ironic minimalizing of fact, understatement presents something as less significant that it is. Understatement is the opposite of hyperbole.

Question 26

Wit

Answer 26

On modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights. A witty statement is humorous while suggesting the speaker’s verbal power in creatine ingenious and perceptive remarks.