Summer Assignment 2016 Washington-Lee High School English 11 AP- Language and Composition

Transcription

1 Summer Assignment 2016 Washington-Lee High School English 11 AP- Language and Composition Course Title: English 11 AP Language and Composition Teacher names & Contact Information: Ms. Erica Larsen Ms. Katrina Reed Ms. Jennifer Bruesewitz Assignment & Assessment: Memorize common rhetorical terms. A terms test will be given sometime during the 1st full week of school (September 12/13, 2016). Students will need to have definitions and examples memorized. How students prepare for the test is up to them, but we suggest flashcards. Flashcards are not required and will not be collected. Read Malcolm Gladwell s Outliers. Students should be ready to work with Outliers starting the first full week of school (September 12/13, 2016). Purpose of Assignment: To learn rhetorical terms that will be used throughout the year. To introduce students to the type of nonfiction texts they will encounter in AP Language and Composition. Estimated Time to Complete Assignment: 5-6 hours Terms Sheet: AP English Language and Composition

2 1. Allegory The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. In some allegories, for example, an author may intend the characters to personify an abstraction like hope or freedom. The allegorical meaning usually deals with moral truth or a generalization about human existence. Example: John Bunyan s A Pilgrim s Progress (1678) details a man s travels, but allegorically represents the process of Christian salvation. 2. Alliteration The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words. The repetition can reinforce meaning, unify ideas, supply a musical sound, and/or echo the sense of the passage Example: Sally sells seashells, Peter Piper picked, etc. 3. Allusion A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. Allusions can be historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical. Example: Fluffy, the three-headed hound in the Harry Potter series, is an allusion to the mythical beast Cerebus. 4. Analogy A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. An analogy can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with or pointing out its similarity to something more family. Example: The human circulatory system is similar to the roots of a tree. 5. Anaphora A sub-type of parallelism, when there is exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences. Example: MLK used anaphora in his famous I Have a Dream speech (1963). 6. Antecedent The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. The following example is from the 2001 AP Language exam: Example: The antecedent of it (bolded) is? [answer: all truth ]

3 But it is the grandeur of all truth which can occupy a very high place in human interests that it is never absolutely novel to the meanest of minds; it exists eternally, by way of germ or latent principle, in the lowest as in the highest, needing to be developed by never to be planted. 7. Antithesis The opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite. Example: Decided only to be undecided, resolved to be irresolute, adamant for drift, solid for fluidity, all-powerful to be impotent. Winston Churchill 8. Aphorism A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle. (If the authorship is unknown, the statement is generally considered to be a folk proverb.) An aphorism can be a memorable summation of an author s point. Example: Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. 9. Asyndeton The purposeful removal, or lack, of conjunctions in writing for rhetorical effect. Example: She ran, jumped, spun, danced, sang her way through life. 10. Apostrophe A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. It is an address to someone or something that cannot answer, and many apostrophes imply a personification of the object addressed. The effect may add familiarity or emotional intensity. Example: William Wordsworth addressing John Milton as he writes, Milton, thou shouldst be living at this hour:/england hath need for thee. Or Keats Ode to a Grecian Urn, in which Keats addresses the urn itself: Thou still unravished bride of quietness. 11. Cause and Effect Reasoning that assumes one event or condition brings about another. Example: Assuming that a student does poorly on an assessment because they did not study. 12. Colloquial/colloquialism The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing. Not generally acceptable for formal writing, colloquialisms give a work a conversational, familiar tone. Can include local or regional dialects. Example: When a person uses terminology specific to their region, such as wicked if you re from Boston, or calling someone with a title (such as a doctor, or professor) by their first name. 13. Connotation The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning. Connotations may involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes. Example: The connotation of a knife might be fear, violence, anger, foreboding, etc. 14. Denotation

4 The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color. Example: The denotation of a knife would be a utensil used to cut. 15. Diction Related to style, diction refers to the writer s word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness. You should be able to describe an author s diction (such as formal or informal, ornate or plain) and understand the ways in which diction can complement the author s purpose. Diction, combined with syntax, figurative language, literary devices, etc., creates an author s style. Example: the sky is blue shows simple diction, while the sky was awash with fluffy lamb-like clouds shows more descriptive diction. 16. Didactic From the Greek, didactic literally means teaching. Didactic words have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles. Example: You appreciated your mentor s didactic tone of words as he elaborated on the meaning of life. 17. Epiphora (epistrophe) a. The opposite of anaphora, epiphora is also a sub-type of parallelism, when there is exact repetition of words or phrases at the end of successive lines or sentences. Example: For no government is better than the men who compose it, and I want the best, and we need the best, and we deserve the best. John F. Kennedy 18. Ethos One of the three major appeals, ethos deals with ethics, or the morality, of an idea, person, or concept. Example: When trying to sell his grills as not only an efficient, but as a healthier food preparation option, George Foreman emphasizes his current job as a pastor (trustworthy), and his past as a famous boxer (healthy athlete.) 19. Euphemism From the Greek for good speech, euphemisms are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept. The euphemism may be used to adhere to standards of social or political correctness or to add humor or ironic understatement. Example: saying earthly remains rather than corpse 20. Extended Metaphor A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work. Example: Martin Luther King, Jr. I Have a Dream speech where he compares the promises to the American people to funds that all should inherit developed over numerous lines throughout the work.

5 21. Hyperbole A figure of speech suing deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. (The literal Greek meaning is overshoot. ) Hyperboles often have a comic effect; however, a serious effect is also possible. Often, hyperbole produces irony. Example: I m so hungry I could eat a cow. or He is as skinny as a shoe string. 22. Imagery The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. On a physical level, imagery uses terms related to the five senses: visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, and olfactory. On a broader and deeper level, however, one image can represent more than one thing. Example: She walked into the room with an aura of sunlight, emanating joy and positivity. 23. Inference/Infer To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented. Example: It is safe to infer that if I m reading my book in the library I do not want to be disturbed. 24. Invective An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language. Example: in Shakespeare s Henry IV, Part I, Prince Hal calls the large character of Falstaff this sanguine coward, this bedpresser, this horseback breaker, this huge hill of flesh. 25. Irony/Ironic The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant, or the difference between what appear to be and what is actually true. Irony is often used to create poignancy or humor. In general, there are three major types of irony used in language: verbal, situational, and dramatic. Example: When the English teacher is a horrible speller, it is ironic. 26. Litotes (pronounced almost like little tee ) A form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite. Example: It isn t very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain (Salinger, Catcher in the Rye). 27. Logos One of the three major appeals, logos deals primarily with logic, facts, and concretized concepts. Example: When your parents respond favorably to your request for a later curfew after you present them with valid evidence and logical reasoning, not simply because I wannaaaaaaa [insert besty s name here] s parents let THEM stay out laterrrrrr! 28. Metaphor

6 A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity. Metaphorical language makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought provoking, and meaningful. Example: His personality is a fire; we can always count on his passion. 29. Metonymy A term from the Greek meaning changed label or substitute name, metonymy is a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it one thing being represented by another thing that is commonly physically associated with it. The substituted term generally carries a more potent emotional impact. Example: a news release that claims the White House declared rather than the President declared, or referring to a monarch as the crown 30. Onomatopoeia A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words. If you note examples of onomatopoeia in an essay passage, note the effect. Example: buzz, hiss, hum, crack, whinny, and murmur. 31. Oxymoron From the Greek for pointedly foolish, an oxymoron is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox. Example: jumbo shrimp and cruel kindness. 32. Paradox A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity. Example: the beginning of Charles Dickens Tale of Two Cities: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times 33. Parallelism Also referred to as parallel construction or parallel structure, this term comes from Greek roots meaning beside one another. It refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of worse, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity. The effects of parallelism are numerous, but frequently they act as an organizing force to attract the reader s attention, add emphasis and organization, or simply provide a musical rhythm. Example: Again, the opening of Dickens Tale of Two Cities: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of believe, it was the epoch of incredulity 34. Pathos One of the three major appeals, pathos focuses on emotions, feelings, and individual belief systems.

7 Example: When you re watching T.V. and the commercial combines sad music with images of skinny, neglected puppies, and kittens with only one eye peering out of a dirty box right before they ask for your money. 35. Personification A figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions. Personification is used to make these abstractions, animals, or objects appear more vivid to the reader. Example: I lost my shoe, it must have run away. 36. Polysyndeton The purposeful addition of numerous conjunctions for rhetorical effect. Example: She ran, and jumped, and spun, and danced, and sang her way through life. 37. Repetition The duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern. Example: The song Wheels on the Bus 38. Syllogism From the Greek for reckoning together, a syllogism is a deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises (the first one called major and the second called minor ) that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion. A syllogism s conclusion is valid only if each of the two premises is valid. Example: Major Premise: All men are mortal. Minor Premise: Socrates is a man. Conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is mortal. 39. Symbol Generally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else. Usually a symbol is something concrete such as an object, action, character, or scene that represents something more abstract. Example: a rose symbolizing love, a tree symbolizing knowledge, etc. 39. Synecdoche a. A figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole or, occasionally, the whole is used to represent a part. Example: To refer to a boat as a sail ; to refer to a car as wheels ; to refer to the violins, violas, etc. in an orchestra as the strings. 40. Synesthesia 1. When one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another. 2. In literature, synesthesia refers to the practice of associating two or more different senses to the same image.

8 i. Example: The sight of red ants makes you itchy ii. Example: The Red Hot Chili Peppers song title, Taste the Pain. 41. Syntax The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences. Syntax is similar to diction, but you can differentiate them by thinking of syntax as groups of words, while diction refers to the individual words. Example: I was tired had a different syntax than Tired was I. 42. Theme The central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life. Usually theme is unstated in fictional works, but in nonfiction, the theme may be directly stated, especially in expository or argumentative writing. Example: Community and how it changes an individual 43. Tone Similar to mood, tone describes the author s attitude toward his material, the audience, or both. Tone is easier to determine in spoken language than in written language. Considering how a work would sound if it were read aloud can help in identifying an author s tone. Example: an obituary would typically have a solemn, respectful tone; a graduation speech would typically have a celebratory tone. 44. Warrant A general principle or assumption that establishes a connection between the support and the claim. Example: Grayson is running a temperature. I ll bet he has an infection. Warrant: a fever is a reliable sign of an infection. Example: It is probably safe to pet that dog. It is a Golden Retriever. Warrant: most Golden Retrievers are friendly. Rhetorical Modes 45. Rhetorical Modes This flexible term describes the variety, the conventions, and the purposes of the major kinds of writing. The four most common rhetorical modes are exposition, argumentation, description, and narration. 46. Exposition The purpose of exposition is to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion. Example: a proposal for scientific research 47. Argumentation The purpose of argumentation is to prove the validity of an idea, or point of view, by presenting sound reasoning, discussion, and argument that thoroughly convince the reader. Persuasive writing is a type of argumentation having an additional aim of urging some form of action.

9 Example: an opinion editorial that aims to persuade you to be pro-choice 48. Description The purpose of description is to re-create, invent, or visually present a person, place, event or action so that the reader can picture what is being described. Sometimes an author engages all five senses in description; good descriptive writing can be sensuous and picturesque. Descriptive writing may be straightforward and objective or highly emotional and subjective. Example: the opening paragraphs of Steinbeck s Of Mice and Men describing Soledad, CA. 49. Narration The purpose of narration is to tell a story or narrate an event or series of events. This writing mode frequently uses the tools of descriptive writing. Example: When Holden Caulfield narrates his experiences in Salinger s Catcher in the Rye. LOGICAL FALLACIES (ERRORS IN ARGUMENTATION. THESE ARE BAD. DON T USE THEM IN YOUR WRITING.) 50. Non Sequitur Occurs when a statement does not logically follow from a previous statement. Example: I eat lunch at noon, so you should leave work to bring me McDonald s. 51. Appeal to False Authority Attempting to bolster an argument with references to experts or famous people who have no expertise on the issue. Example: If a politician stated that Justin Bieber had signed off on his clean-eating initiative, and that Dr. Oz supported and consulted on the campaign s views on foreign policy. 52. Ad Hominem Tries to divert attention from the facts of an argument by attacking the motives or character of the person making the argument. Asserts that an opponent s argument has no value because the opponent does not follow his or her own advice. Example: Nazi propaganda (including films, visuals, speeches, etc.) that attacked any group or country aside from the Nazi state. 53. Slippery Slope Predicting without justification that one step in a process will lead unavoidably to a second, generally undesirable step.

10 Example: If you don t brush your teeth after every meal, you ll stop caring about oral hygiene altogether, and then you ll never have a happy life. 54. Straw man a. Substituting a person s actual position or argument with a distorted, exaggerated, or misrepresented version of the position of the argument. i. Example: Ted: Biological evolution is both a theory and a fact. Edwin: That is ridiculous! How can you possibly be absolutely certain that we evolved from pond scum! 55. Post Hoc, Ergo Proctor Hoc Assumes that because two events occur close together in time, the first must be the cause of the second. Example: I got in a car accident just an hour after you called me, so it s obviously your fault that I got in that accident. 56. Red Herring Occurs when the focus of an argument is changed to divert the audience from the actual issue. Example: Mike: It is morally wrong to cheat on your spouse, why on earth would you have done that? Ken: But what is morality exactly? Mike: It s a code of conduct shared by cultures. Ken: But who creates this code? 57. False Analogy a. A form of comparison that explains something unfamiliar by comparing it to something more familiar. Frequently ignores important dissimilarities between the two things being compared. Example: Employees are like nails. Just as nails must be hit in the head in order to make them work, so must employees. 25. Equivocation Occurs when the meaning of a key term changes at some point in at argument. Makes it seem as if a conclusion follows from premises when it actually does not. Example: The priest told me I should have faith. I have faith that my son will do well in school this year. Therefore, the priest should be happy with me. The term faith used by the priest, was in the religious sense of believing in God without sufficient evidence, which is different from having faith in your son in which years of good past performance leads to the faith you might have in your son. 26. Either/Or Occurs when you suggest that only two alternatives exist even though there may be others. Oversimplifies the issue and forces people to choose between extremes instead of exploring more moderate positions. Example: Either you eat your vegetables, or you die of malnutrition. 27. Begging the Question Assumes in the premise what the arguer would be trying to prove in the conclusion. Asks readers to agree that certain points are self-evident when they are not.

11 Example: Paranormal activity is real because I have experienced what can only be described as paranormal activity. So, the claim is supported by the premise, but it assumes that the claim is already true.