AP Lang Common Rhetorical Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering common rhetorical terms for AP Language and Composition.

Alliteration

The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds (e.g., she sells sea shells). It can reinforce meaning, unify ideas, supply a musical sound, and/or echo the sense of the passage.

Allusion

A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. Can be historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical.

Ambiguity

The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage; vagueness.

Analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.

Anaphora

One of the devices of repetition, in which the same expression (word or words) is repeated at the beginning of two or more lines, clauses, or sentences.

Anecdote

A short narrative detailing particulars of an interesting episode or event.

Antithesis

Figure of balancing in which two contrasting ideas are intentionally juxtaposed, usually through parallel structure; a contrasting of opposing ideas in adjacent phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., To live or to die).

Connotation

The nonliteral, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning.

Denotation

The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.

Diction

Refers to the writer's word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness. Combined with syntax, figurative language, and literary devices, it creates an author's style.

Euphemism

A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept (e.g., "earthly remains" instead of "corpse"). Used to adhere to standards of social or political correctness or to add humor/ironic understatement.

Extended Metaphor

A metaphor (comparison of two unlike things) developed at great length.

Figurative Language

Writing or speech that is not literal.

Genre

The major category.

Hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement.

Imagery

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.

Irony

The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant.

Juxtaposition

When two words, phrases, images, or ideas are placed close together or side by side for comparison or contrast.

Metaphor

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things, making writing more vivid, imaginative, thought-provoking, and meaningful.

Narrative

The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.

Onomatopoeia

A device where natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words (e.g., Buzz, hiss, etc.).

Oxymoron

A figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox (e.g., jumbo shrimp).

Paradox

A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity.

Parallelism

Also referred to as parallel construction or parallel structure, coming from Greek roots meaning "beside one another." Refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity.

Pedantic

An adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish.

Point of View

The perspective from which a story is told.

Rhetoric

Describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.

Rhetorical Modes

Describes the variety, conventions, and purposes of the major kinds of writing (the 4 modes: exposition or expository writing, argumentation or persuasive writing, description, and narration).

Rhetorical Question

A question that is asked but not answered by the writer.

Sarcasm

Involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something.

Satire

A work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule, best seen as a style of writing rather than a purpose (making fun of something to bring about change).

Style

Has 2 purposes: 1) an evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices; 2) classification of authors to a group and comparison of an author to similar authors.

Syntax

The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences (differentiated from diction in that syntax refers to groups of words while diction refers to individual words).

Thesis

The sentence that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position.

Tone

The author's attitude toward his subject.