AP Lang - Rhetorical Langauge List #2

Consonance

Repetition of a consonant sound within two or more words in close proximity.

Denotation

The dictionary definition of a word

Diction

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

Didactic

Have the primary aim of teaching or instructing,especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles.

Ellipsis

the omission of a word or words necessary for complete construction, but understood in the context

Euphemism

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

Extended Metaphor

A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.

Fallacy

An idea many believe to be true but is false as it is based on incorrect information or reasoning

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

Generic Conventions

describes traditions for each genre; these conventions help to define each genre

Genre

The major category into which a literary work fits.

Homily

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.

Idiom

Phrase, construction, or expression that differs from the usual syntactic patterns or has a meaning that differs from the literal meaning of its parts taken together

Imagery

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

Inference

to draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented

Invective

An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.

Irony

A contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant, or the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true

Consonance (Example)

The lock stuck, and the thick muck blocked the track.

Denotation (Example)

Defining 'home' strictly as 'a physical dwelling or residence,' excluding emotional connotations of family and warmth.

Diction (Example)

An author choosing 'slender' instead of 'emaciated' or 'scrawny' to convey an admiring tone.

Didactic (Example)

A story like Aesop's 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf,' composed with the primary purpose of teaching that dishonesty destroys trust.

Ellipsis (Example)

'I ordered iced tea; my sister, lemonade,'

Euphemism (Example)

Using 'passed away' instead of 'died,' or 'let go' instead of 'fired.'

Extended metaphor (Example)

Comparing a person's life to a voyage across stormy seas, developing references to anchors, compasses, and shipwrecks throughout an entire speech.

Fallacy (Example)

'Everyone is buying this brand of smartphone, so it must be the highest quality phone available.'

Figurative language (Example)

Expressions like 'time is a thief' or 'the stars danced across the sky,' which are not intended to be interpreted literally.

Figure of speech (Example)

Specific expressive techniques such as metaphors, similes, hyperboles, and personification.

Generic conventions (Example)

A mystery novel incorporating a puzzling crime, an eccentric investigator, red herrings, and a dramatic final revelation.

Genre (Example)

Categorizing literary works into broad groupings like tragedy, science fiction, historical drama, or epic poetry.

Homily (Example)

A pastor delivering a sermon or a speaker giving a serious address aimed at offering spiritual guidance and moral correction.

Hyperbole (Example)

‘I have told you a million times,' or 'My suitcase weighed a thousand pounds.'

Idiom (Example)

'Bite the bullet' or 'spill the beans,' where the figurative meaning cannot be deduced from the literal words.

Imagery (Example)

‘The sweet scent of roasting cinnamon drifted through the damp morning mist as the dry twigs snapped underfoot.'

Inference (Example)

Seeing a colleague arrive with a dripping umbrella and wet raincoat, leading you to conclude that it is raining outside.

Invective (Example)

Denouncing an opponent as a 'cowardly, corrupt hypocrite who lacks both honor and conscience.'

Irony (Example)

A fire station catching fire and burning down while the firefighters are away.

Consonance (Example)

'Mike likes his new bike.'

Consonance (Example)

'He struck a streak of bad luck on the slick track.'

Denotation (Example)

Defining 'inexpensive' literally as 'costing little money,' without the negative association of poor quality.

Denotation (Example)

Defining 'snake' strictly as a 'limbless, scaly reptile' rather than an untrustworthy person.

Diction (Example)

A formal speaker choosing 'commence' and 'terminate' rather than 'start' and 'end.'

Diction (Example)

A poet selecting the word 'gilded' instead of 'yellow' to convey richness and radiant light.

Didactic (Example)

A children's fable written specifically to teach the virtue of honesty and patience.

Didactic (Example)

An instructional essay composed with the primary purpose of guiding citizens on ethical civic duties.

Ellipsis (Example)

'She ordered iced coffee; he, warm tea.'

Ellipsis (Example)

'Some people prefer traveling by train; others, by plane.'

Euphemism (Example)

Describing a used vehicle as 'pre-owned' instead of 'secondhand.'

Euphemism (Example)

Using 'between jobs' rather than 'unemployed.'

Extended Metaphor (Example)

A poem comparing a busy classroom to a beehive, sustaining references to buzzing workers, honeycombs, and a queen bee across multiple stanzas.

Extended Metaphor (Example)

A writer portraying hope as a delicate flame, developing mentions of winds, kindling, and shadows throughout an entire novel.

Fallacy (Example)

'Nobody has conclusively disproved that mythical creatures exist, so they must be real.'

Fallacy (Example)

'You cannot trust his economic plan because he wears unfashionable clothing.'

Figurative Language (Example)

'The autumn leaves whispered ancient secrets to the passing breeze.'

Figurative Language (Example)

'Her heart was an impregnable fortress guarded by stone walls.'

Figure of Speech (Example)

Using an oxymoron such as 'deafening silence' to emphasize sudden quietness.

Figure of Speech (Example)

Using an apostrophe to address an abstract concept directly: 'O Time, why dost thou slip away so swiftly?'

Generic Conventions (Example)

A traditional fairy tale beginning with 'Once upon a time' and concluding with 'happily ever after.'

Generic Conventions (Example)

A gothic horror story featuring a crumbling mansion, stormy weather, and an ancient family curse.

Genre (Example)

Classifying Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' within the gothic science fiction category.

Genre (Example)

Categorizing George Orwell's '1984' as dystopian political fiction.

Homily (Example)

A religious elder delivering a Sunday message focused on extending forgiveness and compassion to one's neighbors.

Homily (Example)

A commencement speaker delivering a solemn talk urging graduates to lead morally upright and humble lives.

Hyperbole (Example)

'I have walked across the entire planet searching for my keys.'

Hyperbole (Example)

'This grocery checkout line took three centuries to move.'

Idiom (Example)

'Break a leg,' meaning good luck before an onstage performance.

Idiom (Example)

'Under the weather,' meaning feeling slightly ill or indisposed.

Imagery (Example)

'Tart lemon juice burst across her tongue as crisp, icy condensation dripped down the chilled glass.'

Imagery (Example)

'Golden sunlight pierced the thick pine canopy, warming the damp earth and pungent moss below.'

Inference (Example)

Noticing thick gray smoke rising above the treeline and concluding that a campfire or brushfire has started nearby.

Inference (Example)

Observing a classmate smiling broadly while looking at their returned exam paper and deducing they received a high grade.

Invective (Example)

A speaker shouting, 'You cowardly, deceitful hypocrite who cares nothing for the truth!'

Invective (Example)

A scathing political commentary labeling an official as a 'parasitic fraud who exploits public trust.'

Irony (Example)

A professional driver getting a ticket for careless driving on the way to receive a safe driving award.

Irony (Example)

Stepping outside into a torrential thunderstorm and remarking, 'What absolutely magnificent weather we have today!'