Diction and Tone Flashcards
6 cards from real English Language and Composition Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Diction and Tone flashcards as text
Which term best describes language that carries emotional associations beyond its literal meaning?
Answer: Connotation
Connotation refers to the implied or emotional associations a word carries beyond its literal dictionary definition.
An author uses formal, elevated language throughout a speech to the Supreme Court. This choice of diction primarily signals:
Answer: Respect for the occasion and audience
Formal, elevated diction in a high-stakes legal setting signals the speaker's respect for the institution and audience.
A writer shifts from clinical language to colloquial slang mid-essay. What rhetorical effect does this tonal shift most likely create?
Answer: Creates a jarring contrast to emphasize a point
A deliberate tonal shift creates contrast that draws the reader's attention and can underscore a rhetorical point.
Which of the following best defines 'sardonic' tone?
Answer: Grimly mocking or cynically humorous
Sardonic tone combines dark humor with a cynical or mocking attitude toward the subject.
In AP Lang free-response scoring, 'diction' is evaluated primarily as evidence of:
Answer: Deliberate word choices that support the writer's purpose
Scorers look for purposeful diction that advances the writer's argument or rhetorical strategy, not mere vocabulary display.
The word 'slender' and the word 'scrawny' share similar denotations but differ in:
Answer: Connotation
'Slender' carries a positive connotation while 'scrawny' carries a negative one, illustrating how connotation shapes tone.
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