✍🏽AP English Language
8 min read•Last Updated on June 18, 2024
ChristineLing
ChristineLing
Hi! This is topic 3 of Unit 8. Here, we’ll be looking at how your choices as a writer impact your credibility, persuasiveness, and overall quality of argument. The choices we’ll discuss will sound very familiar, since we’ve discussed all of them in past study guides. Syntax and diction (as seen in guide 8.2), organization, and presentation of evidence are all choices you will have to make, while keeping in mind your audience. Read on for more details!
First, let’s go over the role that the audience plays during the writing process. A letter you’d write to your grandma thanking her for a Christmas gift is very different from an email you’d write to a teacher, right? If you would make different writing choices for each of those two scenarios, then you already know a little bit about how crucial the audience’s perspective, context and needs are. Let’s go into this in greater depth.
In order to take audience into account, you first have to identify who your audience is. Depending on the context, that could be a lot of different people. Here are some examples:
Now, the above audiences are probably not who you’re writing for in your AP Lang class. The audiences within your AP Lang class probably look more like this:
Sometimes, you may even have multiple audiences. For instance, if you’re writing for a school presentation, then the audience might be your teacher and peers. If it's for a research class where you have mentors, then it could be experts in the field. But if it's for your school newspaper or website, it could be anyone from the general public, including peers.
No matter who the audience is, you should adjust your language and content to them. We’ll discuss that in the next section.
So, you know how to identify your audience. Next is understanding why they matter. It’s important not to solely focus on the fact that you’re the writer, but to also think about the views, contexts, and needs of your readers. Every audience is different and constantly changing, so it's necessary to select facts, structure, and language that will be most effective.
When making an argument, it is important to consider how all of the choices being made will affect the audience personally. Taking into account the personal implications of the decisions being made can help to more effectively engage the audience and drive action. It’s important to think about what the audience can relate to and what will make them feel heard and understood. In AP Lang, your audience is usually your teacher and/or your peers. They are the ones judging and grading your work. Thus, it’s ideal to ensure your argument resonates with them, that they’re able to sympathize with your main points.
Now, we can get into all the various choices you need to make, with pointers on how to make them.
When writing for an AP English class, it's important to use the right words for your audience. Your readers are probably familiar with more sophisticated language and concepts, so you should try to use advanced words and phrases that show off your understanding of the topic.
For example, when discussing a literary work, you might use words such as "anaphora," "onomatopoeia," "allegory," or "irony." If you are discussing social and political issues, you can utilize words such as "adversarial," "disenfranchisement," or "equity." If you are engaging in an argumentative essay, you can use words such as "fallacy," "conjecture," or "invective."
Using advanced words and concepts reflects your knowledge and understanding of the material. Furthermore, using the correct vocabulary and phrasing can help you make your argument points more clearly and effectively.
** It is important to remember to not overdo complex diction, however; using too many complex words or concepts can distract from your message and confuse your audience. Keep complex diction relevant to your argument.**
When it comes to choosing the right syntax for an AP English class, you need to consider your audience. Not only do you need to choose words and phrases that are accurate and appropriate for the context, but you also need to make sure that your syntax is engaging and appropriate for your audience.
For example, if you’re discussing a classic novel with your AP English teacher, you’ll want to stick to formal language and proper grammar. Avoid slang, abbreviations, and casual language that could be distracting or confusing. Instead, opt for more precise language and sentence structures to make sure your points are clear.
Alternatively, if you’re writing an in-class essay about an issue you’re passionate about, you have a bit more leeway. Here, you can use more conversational language and even a bit of slang to make sure your essay is as engaging and persuasive as possible. Just make sure it’s still understandable and appropriate for the setting.
Finally, if you’re presenting in front of the class, you want to make sure your syntax is engaging and welcoming. Again, avoid slang and abbreviations, but you can use simpler language to make sure your audience understands your points. You can even use rhetorical devices to make your presentation more interesting and memorable.
No matter what you’re writing or presenting in an AP English class, you need to consider your audience and choose the right syntax. Use formal language and proper grammar when discussing traditional texts and topics, and feel free to use more conversational language and rhetorical devices when presenting or writing about topics you’re passionate about. This way, you’ll ensure that your ideas are communicated effectively and your audience will be engaged.
Depending on the purpose of the essay and the expectations of the class, the organization of your essay should be tailored to the audience. Here are some examples of how to organize your essay based on the audience.
For a Teacher: When writing an essay for a teacher, it is important to clearly define the purpose of the essay and then to structure the essay accordingly. Here are some tips, broken down into steps:
By following these tips, you can ensure your essay is well-organized and clear for your teacher. This will make it easier for your teacher to understand your argument, and will also make it easier to give you feedback.
For a Classmate: When writing an essay for a classmate, there’s slightly more leeway. You may, depending on the specific expectations of the writing assignment, write in a more informal and casual tone. The structure of the essay should focus on the main points and provide evidence to support the main points. The introduction should contain a brief explanation of the main points and a brief overview of the evidence that will be presented. The body should provide the evidence in an easy to understand manner. Finally, end your essay with a strong conclusion that summarizes your main points and brings your essay to a close. This will help your classmate remember the main points you're trying to make, and also give them a sense of closure.
No matter the audience, it is important to provide a clear and well-organized essay. You want the reader to know what’s coming up next, not sit in confusion as you aimlessly bounce between ideas. By taking the time to consider the audience before you begin writing, you can optimize your essay’s organization.
When writing an essay for an AP Lang class, it is important to think about who your audience is and choose evidence that appeals to them.
If you are writing to your peers, you might consider using a more informal tone, and evidence that relates to common experiences such as movies or popular books. This type of evidence can help establish a connection with the reader and make your argument more convincing. On the other hand, if you are writing to a more academic audience (like a teacher_, you should use evidence from scholarly articles or books. This will show that you have done your research and understand the topic.
All in all, make sure to choose evidence that matches their interests, beliefs, and values. This will help your argument be both relevant and convincing.
There are no “right” choices in writing, because of how many differences there can be in audience. Not all teachers are the same, not all classmates are the same, etc. But if you identify the best possible choices, you can greatly improve your writing.
Audience plays an important role during the writing process. Knowing who your audience is and recognizing their needs and perspective is essential for making the best writing choices. You should consider the right syntax and diction, essay structure, and evidence that will be most effective for the audience you’re writing for. Keep these choices in mind the next time you write an essay!
Abbreviations are shortened forms of words or phrases used to save time and space in writing. They are commonly used in informal communication, such as text messages or social media posts.
Term 1 of 39
Abbreviations are shortened forms of words or phrases used to save time and space in writing. They are commonly used in informal communication, such as text messages or social media posts.
Term 1 of 39
Abbreviations are shortened forms of words or phrases used to save time and space in writing. They are commonly used in informal communication, such as text messages or social media posts.
Term 1 of 39
Credibility is the quality of being trusted, reliable, and believable. In writing, it refers to the author's ability to convince readers that their information or argument is accurate and trustworthy.
Ethos: A rhetorical appeal based on establishing credibility and trustworthiness.
Source Evaluation: Assessing the reliability and credibility of sources used in research.
Bias: Prejudice or favoritism that may influence an author's presentation of information or arguments.
Persuasiveness is the ability to convince others to adopt or agree with a certain point of view. It involves using effective arguments, evidence, and appeals to emotions or logic.
Rhetoric: Rhetoric refers to the art of persuasive speaking or writing.
Pathos: Pathos is an emotional appeal used in persuasion that aims at evoking specific feelings in the audience.
Logos: Logos is a logical appeal used in persuasion that relies on facts, evidence, and reasoning.
Syntax refers to the arrangement of words and phrases in a sentence or language. It focuses on the rules governing word order, sentence structure, punctuation, and grammar.
Sentence Structure: Sentence structure refers to how sentences are organized grammatically. It includes elements such as subject-verb agreement, parallelism between clauses or phrases.
Punctuation: Punctuation involves using marks such as commas, periods, question marks correctly within sentences for clarity and to indicate pauses or intonation.
Grammar: Grammar encompasses the rules that govern the formation of sentences, including parts of speech, verb tenses, agreement, and sentence patterns.
Diction refers to the choice of words and phrases in writing or speech. It is the deliberate selection and arrangement of words to convey a specific meaning or tone.
Syntax: The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences.
Connotation: The emotional or cultural associations that a word carries beyond its literal meaning.
Register: The level of formality or informality in language use.
Organization in writing refers to how ideas are arranged and presented within a text. It involves structuring information logically, using clear transitions between paragraphs, and maintaining coherence throughout.
Structure: Structure refers to the overall framework or organization of a piece of writing. It includes elements such as introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion, headings/subheadings, etc.
Logical Flow: Logical flow ensures that ideas progress in a logical order with smooth transitions between sentences and paragraphs. It helps readers follow your thought process easily.
Cohesion: Cohesion is achieved when all parts of a text work together seamlessly. This includes using transitional words/phrases, repetition of key terms/ideas, parallelism, etc., which enhance the overall unity of the writing.
The presentation of evidence involves providing supporting information, facts, examples, or expert opinions to strengthen an argument or claim. It helps convince readers by offering credible and relevant evidence.
Credibility: Credibility refers to the trustworthiness and reliability of a source or piece of evidence. It is important to use credible sources that are reputable and have expertise in the subject matter.
Counterargument: A counterargument is an opposing viewpoint or argument that challenges your main claim. Addressing counterarguments strengthens your position by acknowledging differing perspectives.
Rhetorical Devices: Rhetorical devices are techniques used to enhance persuasive writing. Examples include ethos (appeal to ethics), pathos (appeal to emotions), logos (appeal to logic), rhetorical questions, etc.
The audience refers to the intended recipients or listeners of a message. It is crucial to consider their characteristics, interests, beliefs, and values when crafting effective communication.
Tone: Tone refers to the writer's attitude towards the subject matter or audience. It influences how the message is perceived and can be formal, informal, serious, humorous, etc.
Purpose: Purpose refers to the reason behind creating a piece of communication. It could be to inform, persuade, entertain, or inspire the audience.
Context: Context encompasses the circumstances or setting in which communication occurs. It includes factors such as time period, cultural background, social environment, etc., which influence how messages are interpreted.
A general audience refers to a diverse group of people who may have varying levels of knowledge or interest in a particular topic. They typically have no specific expertise or prior knowledge about the subject.
Interested Audience: An interested audience consists of individuals who are actively engaged and curious about a specific topic.
Skeptical Audience: A skeptical audience is composed of people who approach a subject with doubt or disbelief, questioning its validity or credibility.
Target Audience: The target audience refers to the specific group of individuals that content creators aim to reach with their message or product.
An interested audience is made up of individuals who have a genuine curiosity and enthusiasm for a particular subject. They actively seek out information and are more likely to engage with content related to their interests.
General Audience: A general audience includes people from various backgrounds and levels of interest in a topic.
Niche Audience: A niche audience represents a smaller subset within a larger population that shares specific interests or characteristics.
Engaged Audience: An engaged audience actively participates in discussions, provides feedback, and interacts with content creators on social media platforms.
A skeptical audience consists of individuals who approach information with doubt or suspicion. They tend to question claims, seek evidence, and critically evaluate arguments before accepting them as valid.
General Audience: A general audience encompasses people with varying levels of skepticism or doubt about a topic.
Cynical Audience: A cynical audience tends to have a negative outlook and doubts the sincerity or integrity of information presented to them.
Critical Audience: A critical audience analyzes information carefully, looking for logical flaws, biases, or inconsistencies in arguments.
The term "teacher audience" refers to the intended readers or listeners who are educators. It is important for students to consider their teacher audience when crafting their writing or delivering a presentation.
Peer Audience: This term refers to the intended readers or listeners who are classmates or friends. Consider their interests and background when communicating with them.
Self Audience: This term refers to the writer or speaker themselves as the intended reader or listener. It involves reflecting on one's own thoughts and feelings during the communication process.
General Audience: This term refers to a broad range of readers or listeners who may have diverse backgrounds and interests. It requires considering different perspectives and using accessible language.
Views refer to the perspectives or opinions that individuals hold on a particular topic or issue. They are shaped by personal experiences, beliefs, and values.
Bias: Bias refers to a tendency or inclination towards a particular view or opinion. It can affect how information is presented and interpreted.
Perspective: Perspective refers to an individual's point of view or way of looking at things. It influences how they perceive and understand the world around them.
Opinion: An opinion is a personal belief or judgment about something. It is subjective and can vary from person to person based on their views and experiences.
Structure refers to the organization and arrangement of ideas within a written work. It includes elements such as paragraphs, sections, chapters, transitions between ideas, and overall coherence.
Introduction: The introduction is the opening section of a written work that presents the main topic or argument and provides context for the reader.
Conclusion: The conclusion is the closing section of a written work that summarizes key points, restates the thesis or main idea, and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
Transitions: Transitions are words, phrases, or sentences used to connect ideas within and between paragraphs, ensuring smooth flow and coherence in writing.
Personal implications refer to the individual consequences or effects that a particular situation, event, or decision may have on a person's life. It involves understanding how something directly relates to oneself and the potential impact it can have.
Emotional Impact: The emotional effect that an event or situation has on an individual.
Consequences: The outcomes or results that occur as a result of certain actions or decisions.
Self-reflection: The process of examining one's own thoughts, feelings, and experiences in order to gain self-awareness and insight.
Anaphora is a rhetorical device where consecutive sentences or phrases begin with the same word or group of words. It adds emphasis, rhythm, and repetition for dramatic effect.
Repetition: Repetition involves intentionally repeating words, phrases, sounds, or structures within a piece of writing for emphasis or artistic effect.
Parallelism: Parallelism is when similar grammatical structures are used in successive clauses or sentences. It creates balance and rhythm while emphasizing related ideas.
Rhetorical Question: A rhetorical question is asked not to receive an answer but to make a point or engage readers' thoughts. Like anaphora, it encourages reflection and emphasizes key points.
Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech in which words imitate or suggest the sounds they describe. It adds vividness and sensory appeal to writing, allowing readers to hear what they are reading.
Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring words. It creates rhythm, musicality, and emphasis within a sentence or phrase.
Imagery: Imagery refers to descriptive language that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell). Onomatopoeia is one way writers use imagery to bring their words to life.
Figurative Language: Figurative language includes various literary devices such as similes, metaphors, personification, and hyperbole. Onomatopoeia falls under this category as it uses words symbolically to represent sounds.
Allegory is a literary device in which characters, events, or settings represent abstract ideas or moral qualities. It is a story within a story that conveys deeper meanings.
Symbolism: The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.
Parable: A short story that teaches a moral lesson.
Fable: A brief tale with talking animals or objects that imparts a moral lesson.
Irony is when there's a contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually happens. It often involves humor and can be used to emphasize contradictions or highlight absurdity.
Situational Irony: When the outcome of a situation is different from what was expected.
Verbal Irony: When someone says something but means the opposite (sarcasm).
Dramatic Irony: When the audience knows something that the characters do not.
Adversarial refers to situations involving opposition, conflict, or competition between two opposing sides. It implies an antagonistic relationship where each side tries to outdo or defeat the other.
Oppositional: Involving opposing viewpoints or ideas.
Rivalry: A competition or conflict between individuals, groups, or teams.
Contentious: Marked by disagreement or controversy.
Disenfranchisement refers to the act of depriving someone of their right to vote or participate in the political process, often due to legal restrictions or discriminatory practices.
Voter Suppression: The deliberate efforts to prevent certain groups of people from voting by imposing barriers such as strict ID requirements or reducing polling locations.
Gerrymandering: The manipulation of electoral district boundaries for political advantage, often resulting in unfair representation.
Felony Disenfranchisement: The practice of taking away voting rights from individuals convicted of felonies.
Equity refers to fairness and justice in terms of distributing resources, opportunities, and privileges among different individuals or groups. It aims to address historical disadvantages and ensure everyone has an equal chance at success.
Equality: Treating everyone exactly the same regardless of their circumstances or needs.
Social Justice: The pursuit of equality and fairness in society, particularly regarding issues related to wealth distribution, access to education, healthcare, etc.
Systemic Discrimination: Patterns or practices within institutions that result in unequal treatment based on factors such as race, gender, or socioeconomic status.
A fallacy is a mistaken belief or argument that is logically unsound. It often involves faulty reasoning or misleading information intended to deceive others.
Straw Man Fallacy: Misrepresenting someone's argument in order to make it easier to attack.
Ad Hominem Fallacy: Attacking an opponent's character or personal traits instead of addressing their arguments.
False Cause Fallacy: Assuming that because one event follows another, the first event must have caused the second event.
Conjecture refers to a conclusion or opinion formed without complete evidence or proof, often based on incomplete information or guesswork.
Hypothesis: A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for something based on limited evidence. It serves as a starting point for further investigation.
Speculation: Speculation involves forming opinions or making guesses about something without concrete evidence. It often involves considering different possibilities.
Assumption: An assumption is a belief or idea taken for granted without being proven. It forms the basis of reasoning and argumentation.
Invective refers to harsh, abusive language used to attack or criticize someone or something.
Sarcasm: Sarcasm involves using irony and mocking language to convey contempt or ridicule towards someone or something.
Vitriol: Vitriol refers to extremely bitter criticism or hatred expressed through words.
Diatribe: A diatribe is a long and angry speech that strongly criticizes someone or something.
Complex diction refers to the use of sophisticated and intricate language in writing or speech, often involving uncommon words, elaborate sentence structures, and specialized vocabulary.
Figurative Language: Figurative language includes metaphors, similes, personification, and other literary devices that add imagery and creativity to writing.
Jargon: Jargon refers to specialized terminology used within specific fields or professions. It helps experts communicate efficiently but may be confusing for those unfamiliar with the field.
Lexicon: Lexicon refers to the vocabulary or set of words used by a particular individual or group. It can vary based on factors such as region, culture, or profession.
Formal language refers to the use of proper grammar, vocabulary, and syntax in communication. It is typically used in professional settings, academic writing, and formal speeches.
Proper Grammar: Proper grammar refers to the correct usage of words, punctuation marks, verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure in written or spoken language.
Standard English: Standard English is the accepted form of English that follows grammatical rules and is widely understood by native speakers.
Academic Writing: Academic writing is a style of writing used in educational settings that follows specific guidelines for clarity, organization, and formality.
Proper grammar refers to the correct usage of words, punctuation marks, verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure in written or spoken language.
Syntax: Syntax is the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.
Parts of Speech: Parts of speech are categories into which words are classified based on their functions (e.g., noun, verb, adjective).
Conjunctions: Conjunctions are words used to connect clauses or sentences together (e.g., 'and,' 'but,' 'or').
Slang refers to informal words or phrases that are commonly used within specific groups or communities. It often deviates from standard language rules but helps create a sense of identity among its users.
Jargon: Jargon is specialized terminology used within specific professions or fields.
Colloquialism: Colloquialism refers to informal expressions or phrases commonly used in everyday conversation.
Idioms: Idioms are phrases with figurative meanings that cannot be understood by their literal interpretation.
Abbreviations are shortened forms of words or phrases used to save time and space in writing. They are commonly used in informal communication, such as text messages or social media posts.
Acronyms: Acronyms are abbreviations formed by the initial letters of a group of words pronounced as a word (e.g., NASA).
Initialisms: Initialisms are abbreviations formed by the initial letters of a group of words pronounced letter by letter (e.g., FBI).
Contractions: Contractions are abbreviated forms created by combining two words and replacing missing letters with an apostrophe (e.g., can't).
Rhetorical devices are techniques used by writers or speakers to enhance their arguments and engage their audience. These devices include figures of speech, such as metaphors and similes, as well as strategies like repetition and parallelism.
Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two unrelated things for emphasis or vivid description.
Simile: A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unrelated things using "like" or "as" to create imagery.
Hyperbole: Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally but used for emphasis or dramatic effect.
Logical transitions are words, phrases, or sentences that connect ideas and help readers follow the flow of an argument. They provide a smooth transition between different points or sections in a piece of writing.
Coherence: Coherence refers to the clear and orderly presentation of ideas in writing. It ensures that all parts of an essay fit together logically and make sense to the reader.
Conjunctions: Conjunctions are words like "and," "but," and "however" that join words, phrases, or clauses together. They can be used as logical transitions to show relationships between ideas.
Flow: Flow is the smooth movement from one idea to another in a piece of writing. It is achieved by using logical transitions effectively and maintaining a coherent structure.
Specific evidence and examples are details, facts, statistics, anecdotes, or quotations that support an argument or claim in an essay. They provide concrete proof for the writer's statements.
Support: Support refers to any information or evidence used to back up claims made in an essay. It includes specific evidence and examples as well as reasoning.
Illustration: An illustration is a specific example used to clarify or explain something. It helps readers visualize abstract concepts by providing concrete instances.
Data: Data refers to factual information, such as statistics or research findings, that can be used as evidence in an argument. It adds credibility and strengthens the writer's claims.