AP Lang Tropes and Schemes

Alliteration

the repetition of the same initial consonant sounds in a series of words or phrases.

Anaphora

the deliberate repetition of the first part of successive sentences or clauses to create emphasis.

Epistrophe

the repetition of the same word or group of words at the end of successive clauses or sentences, used for emphasis.

Parallelism

the use of similar structures in two or more phrases, clauses, or sentences to create balance and rhythm.

Antimetabole

a rhetorical device that involves repeating a phrase in reverse order to create a memorable and impactful effect.

Antithesis

rhetorical device that juxtaposes contrasting ideas in balanced phrases or clauses to highlight differences and create emphasis.

Circumlocution

a rhetorical device that involves speaking in a roundabout or indirect manner, often to avoid stating something directly or to embellish a point.

Climax

a rhetorical device that arranges words, phrases, or clauses in increasing order of importance or intensity, often leading to a peak moment in a narrative or argument.

Hypophora

a rhetorical device in which a speaker poses a question and then immediately answers it, often used to engage the audience and introduce a new topic.

Juxtaposition

rhetorical device that places two or more ideas, characters, themes, or concepts side by side in order to highlight their differences or similarities, often creating a deeper understanding of the elements involved.

Zeugma

a rhetorical device in which a single word, usually a verb or an adjective, is applied to multiple nouns, blending together different ideas or actions for effect.

Polysyndeton

is a rhetorical device that employs the repeated use of conjunctions in close succession, often to create a sense of rhythm or emphasis in a sentence.

Asyndeton

a rhetorical device that omits conjunctions between phrases or clauses, creating a concise and impactful statement.

Allusion

an indirect reference to a person, event, or piece of literature that adds meaning to a text by invoking shared knowledge.

Anthimeria

the use of a word in a new grammatical form, often changing its part of speech, to create a fresh meaning or effect.

Hyperbole

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis or effect.

Irony

the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, often for humorous or emphatic effect.

Metaphor

a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as," suggesting that one thing is another to highlight similarities.

Metonymy

a figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated, often used to create vivid imagery.

Oxymoron

a figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear in conjunction, creating a paradoxical effect.

Paradox

a statement that appears contradictory but reveals a deeper truth, often used to provoke thought or illustrate a complex idea.

Personification

a figure of speech in which human attributes are given to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract concepts, creating relatable imagery.

Pun

a form of wordplay that exploits multiple meanings of a term or similar-sounding words for humorous or rhetorical effect.

Simile

a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words "like" or "as" to create vivid imagery.

Synecdoche

a figure of speech in which a part is used to represent the whole or vice versa, enhancing meaning and imagery.

Understatement

a rhetorical device that intentionally presents something as less significant than it is, often for ironic or humorous effect.