Rhetorical Terms List 4 AP LANG

Analogy

A comparison in which an idea or a thing is compared to another thing that is more familiar; it is
typically more extensive and elaborate than a simile or metaphor

The structure of an atom is like a solar system. The nucleus is the sun and electrons are
the planets revolving around their sun....

Analogy

Anecdote

A short account of some happening, frequently personal or biographical

The TV show How I Met Your Mother has a narrator that recounts his anecdotes of the
events that occurred with his friends and future wife.

Anecdote

Anticlimax

A rhetorical device which can be defined as a disappointing situation or a sudden transition in
discourse from an important idea to a ludicrous or trivial one.

Everyone was excited to hear Beyonce in concert; she ended up losing her voice the night
before the concert and all of it was lip-synched.

Anticlimax

Apostrophe

A figure of speech in which some absent or nonexistent person or thing is addressed as if
present and capable of understanding.

"Oh! Stars and clouds and winds, ye are all about to mock me; if ye really pity me, crush
sensation and memory; let me become as nought; but if not, depart, depart, and leave
me in darkness."

Apostrophe

Cause and Effect

The examination of the causes and/or effects of a situation or phenomenon

Essay topics such as "How did the incumbent mayor lose the election?" or "What causes
obesity?" are well suited to cause and effect exposition.

Cause and Effect

Colloquial Expression

Words and phrases used in everyday speech but avoided in formal writing

"Jack was bummed out about his chemistry grade." vs. "Jack was upset about his
chemistry grade."

Colloquial Expression

Expository Writing

Writing that explains or analyzes

Analysis papers, letters, press releases, etc.

Expository Writing

Irony

A figure of speech where the intended meaning of the words is the opposite of their usual
meaning.

A psychic fair is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.

situational irony

The mom asked her son to do his chores. He replied, "Sure, I'm SOOO excited."

Verbal irony

"Go ask his name: if he be married. My grave is like to be my wedding bed."

dramatic irony

Parody

A literary composition which imitates the characteristic style of a serious work or writer and
uses its features to treat trivial, nonsensical material in an attempt at humor or satire

The Scary Movie series parodies all horror, slasher, and mystery genres.

Parody

Pedantry

A display of narrow-minded and trivial scholarship or arbitrary adherence to rules and forms; it
is an excessive concern with minor details

Evan's father insisted that his clothes be hung in his closet all facing the same direction,
color-coded, and arranged by shade from dark to light.

Pedantry

Point of View

The way in which something is viewed or considered by a writer or speaker; in fiction, it is the
relationship assumed between the teller of the story and the characters in it, usually
demonstrated by the author's use of either first or third person

First-Person: I thought to myself, Will Barbara say yes to my proposal?

Point of View

Rhetoric

The art of using words effectively in writing or speaking so as to influence or persuade

Referring to the U.S. White House as the President's "playground" would be a tactic of
rhetoric used by a person in opposition to the President to persuade citizens that the
President is incapable or incompetent and uses his power inappropriately.

Rhetoric

Rhetorical Question

A question asked for rhetorical effect to emphasize a point, no answer being expected

"Robert, is this any way to speak to your mother?"

Rhetorical Question

Satire

A literary work in which vices, abuses, absurdities, etc. are held up to ridicule and contempt;
use of ridicule, sarcasm, irony, etc. to expose vices, abuses, etc.

NBC's Saturday Night Live critiques politics and the national media through humor.

Satire

Tone

The attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience that is generally conveyed through the
choice of words or the viewpoint of a writer on a particular subject.

"Damn money. It always ends up making you blue as hell."

Tone