AP Glossary Terms #2
Terms
undefined, object
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- conventional symbol
- objects that have been invested with meaning by a group
- style
- an evaluation of the sum of hte choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices.
- satire
- a work that targets human vices and follies, or social institutions and conventions, for reform or ridicule.
- thesis
- the sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or proposition
- subject complement
- the word or clause that follows a linking verb and complements, or complete, the subject of hte sentence by either renaming it or describing it.
- exposition
- to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion.
- syntax
- the way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences
- wit
- intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights.
- predicate adjective
- an adjective, group of adjectives, or adjective clause that follows a linking verb and modifies or describes the subject
- ethos
- establishes credibility in the speaker through the appeal to common attitudes, beliefs, and characteristics of a group or time period
- simile
- an explicit comparison, normally using "like" or "as"
- rhetorical question
- a question that is asked merely for effect or series of events.
- tone
- describes the author's attitude toward his or her material, the audience, or both.
- transition
- a word or phrase that links different ideas
- predicate nominative
- a noun, gorup of nouns, or noun clause that renames the subject following a linking verb
- description
- to re-create, invent, or visually present a person, place, event, or action so taht the reader can picture that being described.
- symbol
- anything that represents or stand for something else
- meiosis
- when something is referred to in terms less important than it really deserves
- understatement
- the ironic minimizing of fact, it presents something as less significant than it is.
- theme
- the central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life
- syllogism
- a deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises (major and minor) that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion.
- sarcasm
- involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something. When done well, it can be witty and insightful
- rhetoric
- the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.
- litotes
- a figure of speech by which an affirmation is made indirectly by denying its opposite
- argumentation
- proves the validity of an idea, or point of view, by presenting sound reasoning, thoughtful discussion, and insightful argument that thoroughly convince the reader.
- prose
- one majore division of genre, it refers to ficiton and nonfiction because they are written in ordinary lanuage and most clearly resemble everyday speech.
- pathos
- plays on the reader's emotions and interests.
- natural symbol
- objects and occurrences from nature that represent ideas commonly associated with them
- narration
- to tell a story or narrate an event or series of events.
- repetition
- the duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as sound, word, phrase, clasue, sentence, or grammatical pattern
- rhetorical appeal
- the persuasive device by which a writer tries to sway the audience's attention and response to any given work.
- subordinate clause
- a word group that contains both a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone; it does not express a complete thought.
- logos
- logical reasoning, combining a clear idea with well-thought-out and appropriate examples and details.