AP English Language & Composition · Unit 1 · Ethos, pathos, logos; Aristotelian rhetoric; audience analysis
Rhetorical Foundations & Appeals: every key term you need
13 flashcard terms for AP English Language & Composition Unit 1, written to match the course framework. Study them here, then drill them as interactive flashcards — free, no account needed.
Study this unit free →
More AP English Language & Composition guides
Rhetoric Definition Art of persuasion through effective communication. Examines how authors convince audiences through language choices, structure, tone, evidence.
Rhetorical Situation Context of communication: author (who?), audience (to whom?), occasion (when/why?), purpose (what's goal?), subject (what's discussed?).
Aristotle's Three Appeals Ethos (credibility/character), Pathos (emotion/values), Logos (logic/evidence). Effective rhetoric balances all three.
Ethos Strategy Build credibility through expertise, authority, character, shared values. Examples: cite credentials, acknowledge opposing views, use consistent tone.
Pathos Strategy Appeal to emotions/values. Use vivid imagery, personal stories, rhetorical questions. Connects topic to audience's concerns, beliefs, experiences.
Logos Strategy Appeal to reason. Provide evidence, logical reasoning, factual support. Data, examples, expert testimony, cause-effect reasoning.
Tone Definition Author's attitude toward subject/audience. Options: formal, casual, sarcastic, angry, humorous, sympathetic, authoritative. Conveys through word choice, sentence structure.
Style Elements Diction (word choice), syntax (sentence structure), imagery (sensory details), figurative language (metaphor, simile). Collectively create author's voice.
Claim vs Evidence Claim: assertion author makes. Evidence: support (facts, examples, testimony). Good writing distinguishes and connects them clearly.
Logical Fallacies Errors in reasoning: ad hominem (attack person), straw man (misrepresent argument), false cause, hasty generalization, appeal to authority.
Purpose & Audience Analysis Identify what author wants to accomplish (persuade, inform, entertain) and who they're trying to reach. This shapes rhetorical choices.
Rhetorical Strategy Deliberate choice to achieve purpose: comparison, analogy, concrete examples, statistics, expert testimony, hypothetical scenario.
Unit 1 Summary Rhetoric examines how authors persuade through ethos, pathos, logos. Analyze tone, style, claims, evidence, and fallacies to understand persuasion techniques.
Turn these into flashcards & quizzes →
Crammy is a free all-in-one study hub for AP, A-Level, GCSE, IB and test prep — flashcards, quizzes, practice exams, an AI tutor, and adaptive study sessions. Start studying free .
SAT® and AP® are registered trademarks of the College Board. ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. None is affiliated with, sponsors, or endorses Crammy, and none has reviewed our practice material. All questions and explanations here are original. Legal & attributions .