Glossary
Argument Essays
An essay type on the AP English Language exam where students take a position on a given issue and support it with evidence and reasoning.
Example:
In an Argument Essay, a student might argue for or against the use of artificial intelligence in education, providing logical support for their stance.
Cause
The event, action, or situation that initiates a chain of events or produces a particular outcome.
Example:
The invention of the printing press was a significant cause of the widespread dissemination of knowledge during the Renaissance.
Cause-Effect
A rhetorical mode that explores the relationship between events or phenomena, showing how one thing leads to another.
Example:
An essay analyzing the rise of social media might use cause-effect to explain how increased connectivity led to new forms of activism.
Characters
The individuals, animals, or entities who perform actions and experience events within a narrative.
Example:
In a memoir, the author and the people they interact with are the central characters whose experiences drive the story.
Descriptive Language
Language that appeals to the five senses, using vivid imagery, sensory details, and figurative language to create a clear picture for the reader.
Example:
The author used rich descriptive language to paint a picture of the bustling marketplace, from the scent of spices to the vibrant colors of the textiles.
Effect
The consequence, result, or outcome that follows from a specific cause or set of causes.
Example:
One major effect of the widespread adoption of smartphones has been a dramatic shift in how people communicate and access information.
Evidence
Specific facts, examples, statistics, expert opinions, or textual details used to support claims and validate arguments.
Example:
To support a claim about the effectiveness of a new policy, a writer might present statistical evidence showing a measurable improvement in relevant metrics.
Narration
A rhetorical mode that tells a story or recounts a series of events, often with a specific purpose or to convey a message.
Example:
A personal essay might use narration to share a transformative experience and reflect on its broader significance.
Narrative Structure
The organizational pattern of a story, which can be chronological, non-linear, or employ techniques like flashbacks.
Example:
A novel might use a non-linear narrative structure, jumping between past and present to reveal character motivations gradually.
Plot
The sequence of events that make up a story, including the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Example:
The plot of a classic hero's journey often involves a call to adventure, trials, and a triumphant return.
Rhetorical Analysis (Essay)
An essay type on the AP English Language exam where students analyze how an author uses rhetorical choices to achieve a particular purpose for a specific audience.
Example:
For the Rhetorical Analysis essay, students must identify rhetorical appeals and devices and explain their intended effect on the audience.
Rhetorical Modes
Established patterns of organization and development that writers use to achieve a specific purpose, such as explaining, describing, or persuading.
Example:
Understanding different rhetorical modes like comparison-contrast or definition helps a writer structure their ideas effectively for any audience.
Sophistication
In AP English Language scoring, it refers to a nuanced and insightful understanding of the text, often demonstrated through complex analysis, exploration of complexities, and effective prose.
Example:
An essay demonstrating sophistication might acknowledge counterarguments or explore the subtle implications of an author's rhetorical choices.
Synthesis Essays
An essay type on the AP English Language exam where students read multiple sources on a topic and then synthesize information from those sources to develop and support their own argument.
Example:
A Synthesis Essay might require students to integrate perspectives from various articles about renewable energy to construct an argument about its feasibility.
Thesis
The central argument or main idea of an essay, typically stated in one or two sentences, that the writer will develop and support throughout the text.
Example:
A strong thesis statement for an essay on climate change might assert that immediate global cooperation is essential to mitigate its most severe impacts.
Transitions (in Cause-Effect)
Words or phrases that logically connect ideas, indicating the relationship between causes and their effects.
Example:
Phrases like 'as a result,' 'consequently,' and 'therefore' serve as crucial transitions to guide the reader through a cause-effect analysis.