AP Lang Rhetorical Terms Pt. 3

Irony

The use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning. A statement or situation where the meaning is directly contradicted by the appearance or presentation of the idea.

Jargon

The specialized language of a professional, occupational, or other group often meaningless to outsiders.

Juxtaposition

Placing dissimilar items, descriptions, or ideas close together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast

Litotes

A figure of speech consisting of an understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite

Logos

Employs logical reasoning, combining a clear idea (or multiple ideas) with well-thought-out and appropriate examples and details. these supports are logically presented and rationally reach the writer's conclusion.

Loose Sentence

A sentence structure in which the main clause is followed by subordinate phrases and clauses. Contrast with a periodic sentence.

Metaphor

A figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between two unlike things that actually have something important in common

Metonymy

A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated (such as "crown" for "royalty")

Mode of Discourse

The way in which information is presented in a text. The four traditional modes are narration, description, exposition, and argument.

Narration, Description, Exposition, and Argument

The Four Traditional Modes of Discourse:

Mood

(1) The quality of a verb that conveys the writer's attitude toward a subject.
(2) The emotion evoked by a text

Narrative

A rhetorical strategy that recounts a sequence of events, usually in chronological order

Onomatopoeia

The formation or use of words that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to

Oxymoron

A figure of speech in which incongruous or contradictory terms appear side-by-side

Paradox

A statement that appears to contradict itself

Parallelism

The similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses

Parody

A literary or artistic work that imitates the characteristic style of an author or a work for comic effect or ridicule

Pathos

The means of persuasion that appeals to the audience's emotions

Periodic Sentence

A long and frequently involved sentence, marked by suspended syntax, in which the sense is not completed until the final word - usually with an emphatic climax

Personification

A figure of speech in which an inanimate object or abstraction is endowed with human qualities or abilities

Point of View

The perspective from which a speaker or writer tells a story or presents information

Prose

Ordinary writing (both fiction and nonfiction) as distinguished from verse

Pun

A word employed in two senses, or a word in a context that suggests a second term sounding like it. Puns are usually used for comic effect.

Refutation

The part of an argument wherein a speaker or writer anticipates and counters opposing points of view

Irony Example

Saying "are you always this articulate" when someone is stuttering

Jargon Example

AWOL; Military jargon for someone with unknown whereabouts

Juxtaposition Example

"All is fair in love and war"

Litotes Example

"It's not rocket science"

Logos Example

Syllogistic structure in Declaration of Independence

Loose Sentence Example

Bells rang, filling the air with their clangor, startling pigeons into flight from every belfry, bringing people into the streets to hear the news.

Metaphor Example

Life is a highway

Metonymy Example

"The pen is mightier than the sword"

Onomatopoeia Example

Bang, clash, woof, pow, clunk, etc.

Oxymoron Example

Jumbo Shrimp

Paradox Example

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others"

Parallelism Example

"One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind"

Parody Example

Youtube parodies of popular music videos or films

Pathos Example

Emotionally connotative language, Abigail Adams tone and language in letter to John Quincy Adams

Periodic Sentence Example

"In spite of heavy snow and cold temperatures, the game continued"

Personification Example

"The sun smiled down on us"

Point of View Example

Abigail Adams writing to her son, motherly perspective

Prose Example

Language used in conversation, textbooks, lectures, etc.

Pun Example

The duck told the bartender, "put it on my bill"