AP English Language and Composition Vocabulary Review

A comparison between two things for the purpose of explanation or clarification.

• Analogy

• Metonymy

• Hyperbole

• Metaphor

• Simile

A less harsh way of saying something.

• Eutrophic

• Euphemism

• Dysphemism

• Despotism

• Allegory

Using a part of something to represent its entirety.

• Asyndeton

• Polysyndeton

• Synecdoche

• Metonymy

• Unidocia

A style of argument which attempts to manipulate the emotions of the audience.

• Ethos

• Logos

• Pathos

• Kairos

• Mythos

An argument that attempts to distract the audience with irrelevant details.

• Blue Tuna

• Yellow Squid

• Red Herring

• Green Dolphin

• White Octopus

An attack on a person as opposed to their ideas.

• Ad Hoc

• Ad Hominem

• Red Herring

• Circular Logic

• Oedipal Complex

A style of argument which attempts to appeal to the audience's sense of logic and reasoning.

• Ethos

• Logos

• Pathos

• Kairos

• Mythos

Substituting the name of an attribute or adjunct for the thing meant.

• Metonymy

• Synecdoche

• Indicitos

• Metaphor

• Somniphor

Applying a general principle to a specific situation.

• Inductive Reasoning

• Deductive Reasoning

• Reductive Reasoning

• General Reasoning

• Hypothetical Reasoning

An argument based on the idea that because everyone is doing a thing, the audience should too.

• Hysteron Proteron

• Caravan

• Red Herring

• Bandwagon

• Contraband