Schemes & Tropes Quiz-AP Language & Composition

Parallelism

Similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses. Emphasizes similarities and connections.

Antithesis

The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas, often in parallel structure. Emphasizes dissimilarities and contraries; produces the quality of an aphorism.

parenthesis

insertion of some verbal unit in a position that interrupts the normal syntactical flow of the sentence. Allows the author’s voice to be heard commenting or editorializing, thereby charging the statement with additional meaning or emphasis.

ellipsis

Deliberate omission of a word or of words which are readily implied by the context. An artful and arresting means of securing economy of expression.

asyndeton

Deliberate omission of conjunctions between a series of related clauses. Produces a hurried rhythm in the sentence.

alliteration

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in a series of words, creating rhythm and emphasis.

epistrophe

The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences, creating emphasis and rhythm.

climax

Arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses in an order of increasing importance.

antimetabole

Repetition of words, in successive clauses, in reverse grammatical order. This rhetorical device emphasizes contrast and can create a memorable effect.

chiasmus

Reversal of grammatical structure in successive phrases or clauses.