AP English Language and Composition 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

A syllogism is best described as a structure using premises to reach a conclusion. This logical framework typically consists of two premises and a conclusion that follows logically from those premises. For example, if the first premise states that all humans are mortal, and the second premise states that Socrates is a human, the conclusion is that Socrates is mortal. This method of reasoning emphasizes the necessity for the premises to be true for the conclusion to also be true, illustrating the mechanics of deductive reasoning.

The other choices reflect different rhetorical or literary elements that do not align with the definition of a syllogism. Emotional appeal relates to persuading through feelings rather than logical structure. An anecdote refers to a short personal story or account, which may illustrate a point but does not encapsulate the deductive reasoning of a syllogism. Lastly, a type of evidence based on personal experience focuses on subjective accounts rather than the objective logic that defines a syllogism. Therefore, option B accurately captures the essence of what a syllogism represents in logical argumentation.