AP LANG RHETORICAL DEVICES

Alliteration:

Repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of a word. Ex. “she sells seashells by the seashore”

Consonance:

Same consonant sound at the middle or end of a word. Ex. “The duck has no luck driving the truck.”

Assonance:

Words with the same vowel sounds. Ex. Lady, ate cake.

Rhyme Scheme:

Rhyming at the end of each line.

Asyndeton:

Removes conjunctions to make something sound more urgent. Ex. Run, go, leave!

Polysyndeton:

Adding conjunction words to add weight to a sentence. Ex. I have to go to school and I have to study for a test and I have practice after school.

Antanaclasis:

Repeating the same word but with a different meaning. Ex. Do you like flies? You look like a fly.

Anaphora:

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of several successive clauses that have different endings. Ex. It was the best when she saw her from afar, It was the worst when she left.

Epistrophe:

Repeat the end word/phrase across successive phrases, clauses or sentences. Ex. I want to be a child, I am not a child, if only I was a child.

Symploce:

One word is repeated at the start of a line and the end of the line. Ex. When you are kind I will fight alongside you, when you are evil I will fight alongside you.

Epizeuxis:

Single repetition of a single word to create immediate succession. Ex. Smooch, smooch, smooch, smooochh.

Euphemism:

The use of milder or less offensive words for topics that are sensitive or disagreeable. Ex. ALS→bad break-L.G.

Dysphemism:

The refer to topics in a harsh or offensive way, making them sound more negative or unpleasant. -Derogatory or unpleasant term instead of pleasant/neutral tone. Ex. “getting bitches”

Counterargument:

An opposing argument. Ex. “Going to college is a waste of money”

Rebuttal:

Defense against opposing argument. Ex. “It’s not a waste of money to go to college because….”

Concession:

Acknowledging the validity of an opposing argument. Ex. “you’re right. College does cost a lot of money, and it is out of reach for many families.”

Refutation:

Demonstrating how your position is stronger despite the validity of the opposing argument. Ex. “However bob’s family is not financially struggling. In addition…”

Hypophora:

Speaker poses a question and then answers it him or herself. Ex. “Why did I do that? I did that because…”

Rhetorical Question:

Speaker poses a question that doesn't require an answer because the answer is obvious. Ex. “Are you stupid?”

Allusion:

Speaker calls something to mind without mention it explicitly - An indirect or passing reference. Ex. “I don’t need a jolly old man to bring me gifts once a year”

Reference:

Explicit and direct citation

Simile:

Comparison using “like” or “as”.

Metaphor:

Comparison without “like” or “as”. Ex. “The world is a stage”

Enumeration:

List details or a process. Ex. “First I do, then I do…”

Periodic Sentence:

Main point at the end of the sentence.

Loose/cumulative sentence:

Main point at the beginning of the sentence.

Juxtaposition (broad term):

Placement of two things closely together to emphasize similarities and differences Ex. “bustling city center and quiet park”

Antithesis: form of juxtaposition

Opposites represented in a balanced parallel structure. Ex. It was best of times, it was worst of times.

Oxymoron: form of juxtaposition

Placement of two terms that seem to contradict one another. Ex. “peaceful revolution”

Paradox: form of juxtaposition

Statement, situation, or idea that appears self-contradictory or illogical, but upon closer inspection, may reveal some truth. Ex. “Less is more”

Positive connotative words:

Words that carry pleasant emotional associations Ex. “scent vs odor”

Negative connotative words:

Words that carry unpleasant emotional associations Ex. “reckless vs brave”

Denotation (NOT a rhetorical device):

Dictionary definition