THE 55 AP LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION TERMS
YOU MUST KNOW
Analogy - ANSWER Explaining something complex by comparing it to something more simple
Argument - ANSWER The combination of reasons, evidence, etc that an author uses to convince an
audience of their position
Aristotelian appeals - ANSWER Three different methods of appealing to an audience to convince them—
ethos, logos, and pathos
Attitude - ANSWER The writer's personal views or feelings about the subject at hand
Audience - ANSWER Who the author is directing his or her message towards
Compare and contrast - ANSWER Discussing the similarities and differences between two things to some
persuasive or illustrative purpose
Connotation - ANSWER The implied meaning of a word; words can broadly have positive, negative, or
neutral connotations
Context - ANSWER The extra-textual environment in which the text is being delivered
Counterargument - ANSWER The argument(s) against the author's position
Deductive reasoning - ANSWER A form of logical reasoning wherein a general principle is applied to a
specific case
Denotation - ANSWER The literal, dictionary-definition meaning of a word
Diction - ANSWER The style of language used; generally tailored to be appropriate to the audience and
situation
, Ethos - ANSWER Setting up a source as credible and trustworthy
Evidence - ANSWER The information presented meant to persuade the audience of the author's position
Figurative language - ANSWER The use of language in a non-literal way; i.e. metaphor, simile, etc.
Genre - ANSWER The specific type of work being presented
Imagery - ANSWER Any descriptive language used to evoke a vivid sense or image of something; includes
figurative language
Implication - ANSWER When something is suggested without being concretely stated
Inductive Reasoning - ANSWER Making a generalization based on specific evidence at hand
Irony - ANSWER At the most basic sense, saying the opposite of what you mean; also used to describe
situations in which the results of an action are dramatically different than intended
Juxtaposition - ANSWER Placing two very different things together for effect
Logos - ANSWER Appealing to someone's sense of concrete facts and logic
Occasion - ANSWER The reason or moment for writing or speaking
Organization - ANSWER How the different parts of an argument are arranged in a piece of writing or
speech
Pathos - ANSWER An Aristotelian appeal; Involves appealing to someone's emotions
YOU MUST KNOW
Analogy - ANSWER Explaining something complex by comparing it to something more simple
Argument - ANSWER The combination of reasons, evidence, etc that an author uses to convince an
audience of their position
Aristotelian appeals - ANSWER Three different methods of appealing to an audience to convince them—
ethos, logos, and pathos
Attitude - ANSWER The writer's personal views or feelings about the subject at hand
Audience - ANSWER Who the author is directing his or her message towards
Compare and contrast - ANSWER Discussing the similarities and differences between two things to some
persuasive or illustrative purpose
Connotation - ANSWER The implied meaning of a word; words can broadly have positive, negative, or
neutral connotations
Context - ANSWER The extra-textual environment in which the text is being delivered
Counterargument - ANSWER The argument(s) against the author's position
Deductive reasoning - ANSWER A form of logical reasoning wherein a general principle is applied to a
specific case
Denotation - ANSWER The literal, dictionary-definition meaning of a word
Diction - ANSWER The style of language used; generally tailored to be appropriate to the audience and
situation
, Ethos - ANSWER Setting up a source as credible and trustworthy
Evidence - ANSWER The information presented meant to persuade the audience of the author's position
Figurative language - ANSWER The use of language in a non-literal way; i.e. metaphor, simile, etc.
Genre - ANSWER The specific type of work being presented
Imagery - ANSWER Any descriptive language used to evoke a vivid sense or image of something; includes
figurative language
Implication - ANSWER When something is suggested without being concretely stated
Inductive Reasoning - ANSWER Making a generalization based on specific evidence at hand
Irony - ANSWER At the most basic sense, saying the opposite of what you mean; also used to describe
situations in which the results of an action are dramatically different than intended
Juxtaposition - ANSWER Placing two very different things together for effect
Logos - ANSWER Appealing to someone's sense of concrete facts and logic
Occasion - ANSWER The reason or moment for writing or speaking
Organization - ANSWER How the different parts of an argument are arranged in a piece of writing or
speech
Pathos - ANSWER An Aristotelian appeal; Involves appealing to someone's emotions
