AP Lang + Comp Rhetorical Terms

alliteration

repetition of the same sound beginning several words or syllables in sequence

• “Let us go forth to lead the land we love.” - John F. Kennedy

allusion

brief reference to a person, event, or place (real or fictitious) or to a work of art

ambiguity

the multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence or passage

analogy

a comparison between two seemingly dissimilar things. Often, this uses something simple or familiar to explain something unfamiliar or complex.

anaphora

repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines.

anecdote

a brief story used to illustrate a point or claim.

annotation

the taking of notes directly on a text

antimetabole

repetition of words in reverse order

antithesis

opposition, or contrast, of ideas or words in a parallel construction

aphorism

a terse statement of known authorship that expresses a general truth and moral principle

archaic diction

old-fashioned or outdated choice of words

argument

a process of reasoned inquiry. A persuasive discourse resulting in a coherent and consideration movement from a claim to a conclusion.

assertion

a statement that presents a claim or thesis

asyndeton

omission of conjunction between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words

audience

the listener, viewer, or reader of a text. Most texts are likely to have multiple audiences.

claim

also called an assertion or proposition. states the argument’s main idea or position. differs from a topic or subject in th