AP Lang Rhetorical Choices

Logical Appeal (Logos)

"Statistics show…..”

Ethical Appeal (Ethos)

"As an X with Y years of

experience, Z is safe"

Emotional Appeal (Pathos)

"Imagine the joy/pain/sadness..."

Diction

Choice and use of words in writing/speech

Using "youthful" instead of "childish" to convey a positive tone.

Tone

The attitude or approach that the author takes toward the

subject.

A sarcastic tone: "Oh great, another homework assignment!"

Comparison

"Life is like a box of chocolates." Does not have to use like or as

Metaphor

"Time is a thief."

Similie

"Her smile was bright like the sun." Uses like or as

Analogy

"Just as a caterpillar transforms into a

butterfly, students grow into scholars."

Allegory

George Orwell's "Animal Farm" = the Russian Revolution.

Allusion

"He has the Midas touch when it comes to investments."

Contrast

"Unlike the bright, sunny day outside, the mood inside was somber and tense."

Juxtaposition

Image of a peaceful village next to a war-torn city in a photograph.

Antithesis

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."

Repetition

"Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow."

Exemplification

"Many great leaders, such as Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi, have inspired change through peace."

Ancedote

"When I was a child, my grandmother told me stories of her life on the farm."

Parallel Structure

"She likes cooking, jogging, and reading."