AP Lang midterm 2026 rhetorical terms

alliteration

the repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or

more neighboring words

allusion

a direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably

commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art.

analogy

a similarity or comparison between two different things or the

relationship between them.

anaphora

a sub-type of parallelism, when the exact repetition of words or

phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.

anecdote

a short, simple narrative of an incident; often used for humorous effect or to make a point.

antithesis

the opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite OR the

presentation of two contrasting images. The ideas are balanced by word, phrase, clause, or paragraphs.

assonance

the repetition of similar vowel sounds, preceded and followed by different consonants, in the stressed syllables of adjacent words.

colloquialism

a word or phrase (including slang) used in everyday conversation and informal writing but that is often inappropriate in formal writing (y’all, ain’t)

connotation

the non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied,

suggested meaning.

consonance

repetition of identical consonant sounds within two or more words in close proximity, as in boost/best

denotation

the strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion,

attitude, or color.

ellipsis

deliberate omission of a word or of words that are readily implied by the context

and must be supplied by the reader or listenerq

epigraph

he use of a quotation at the beginning of a work that hints at its theme.

ethical appeal (ethos)

when a writer tries to persuade the audience to respect and

believe him or her based on a presentation of image of self through the text.

euphemism

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

hyperbole

a figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement.

imagery

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

represent abstractions.

irony/ironic

the contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant, or

the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true

juxtaposition

when two words, phrases, images, ideas are placed close together or side

by side for comparison or contrast.

logical appeal (logos)

when a writer tries to persuade the audience based on

statistics, facts, and reasons.

metaphor

figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things

or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity.

onomatopoeia

A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the

sounds of words.

oxymoron

a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.

paradox

a statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common

sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity.

parallelism

It refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity. This can involve, but is not limited to, repetition of a grammatical element such as a preposition or verbal phrase.

parody

a work that ridicules the style of another work by imitating and exaggerating its elements. It can be utterly mocking or gently humorous.

pathos

hen a writer tries to persuade the audience by appealing to their emotions. The aspects of a literary work that elicit sorrow or pity from the audience.

personification

a figure of speech in which the author presents or describes

concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions.

repetition

word or phrase used two or more times in close proximity

rhetorical question

a question that does not expect an explicit answer. It is used to pose an

idea to be considered by the speaker or audience.

satire

a work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule.

simile

a piece of figurative language which uses the word “like” or “as” in the comparison

symbol/symbolism

anything that represents itself and stands for something else