AP Lang- Rhetorical Terms Quiz #2

Diacope

Repetition of a word or phrase after an intervening word or phrase.

Diction

Refers to the writer's word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.

Didactic

Works that have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially moral or ethical principles.

Enumeratio

Figure of amplification in which a subject is divided into constituent parts or details, including a listing of causes, effects, problems, solutions, conditions, and consequences.

Expletive

Figure of emphasis in which a single word or short phrase interrupts normal speech to lend emphasis.

Euphemism

A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.

Exposition

In essays, one of the four chief types of composition aimed at explaining something; in drama, the introductory material that creates the tone, gives the setting, and introduces characters and conflict.

Extended metaphor

A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently throughout the work.

Figurative language

Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.

Figure of speech

A device used to produce figurative language, including apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, metonymy, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche, and understatement.

Generic conventions

Traditions for each genre that help to define it and differentiate it from others.

Genre

The major category into which a literary work fits, such as prose, poetry, and drama.

Homily

This term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.

Hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. Hyperboles often have a comic effect; however, a serious effect is also possible. Often, hyperbole produces irony. It is used to provoke a response, to cast something in a strong light.

Hypophora

Figure of reasoning in which one or more questions is/are asked and then answered, often at length, by one and the same speaker; raising and responding to one's own question(s). A common usage is to ask the question at the beginning of a paragraph and then use the paragraph to answer it.

Imagery

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. On a physical level, imagery uses terms related to the five senses; we refer to visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, or olfactory imagery.

Inference/infer

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented. When a multiple-choice question asks for an inference to be drawn from a passage, the most direct, most reasonable inference is the safest answer choice.

Invective

An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language. It is used to ridicule, chastise, or convey contempt.

Irony/ironic

The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant. The difference between what appears to be and what actually is true.

Juxtaposition

When two words, phrases, images, ideas are placed close together or side by side for comparison or contrast. It often calls attention to extremes.

Litotes

From the Greek word "simple" or "plain." Litotes is a figure of thought in which a point is affirmed by negating its opposite. It is a special form of understatement.