AP-LANG: Rhetorical Devices

Allegory

A story or image with a hidden meaning, usually moral or political.

Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words. (Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers)

Allusion

A brief reference to a famous person, event, or work. (He was a real Romeo with the ladies)

Amplification

Adding more detail or repetition to emphasize a point. (It was a cold day, a bitter, biting, ice day that froze everything in sight) 

Anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. (We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields…) 

Analogy

A comparison between two things to explain or clarify an idea. (Just as a sword is the weapon of a warrior, a pen is the weapon of a writer) 

Anastrophe

Inversion of normal word order for emphasis or effect. (Powerful you have become, the dark side I sense in you, -Yoda) 

Anecdote

A short, personal story used to illustrate a point.

Aphorism

A short, witty statement expressing a truth or observation. (If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it) 

Archetype

A universal symbol, character, or pattern found across literature. (The hero, villain, the rebel…)

Chiasmus

Reversing the order of words in two parallel phrases (e.g., “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country)

Epithet

A descriptive phrase expressing a key trait of a person or thing (“swift-footed Achilles”).

Euphemism

A polite or mild expression replacing a harsh or blunt one. (He ‘passed away’ instead of ‘he died’) 

Euphony

Use of pleasant, harmonious sounds. (Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness) 

Hubris

Excessive pride or self-confidence leading to downfall.

Hyperbole

Exaggeration for emphasis or effect. (I have a million things to do today)

Idiom

A phrase with a meaning not predictable from its words (“raining cats and dogs”).

Irony

A contrast between expectation and reality (verbal, situational, or dramatic). (A fire station burns down)

Juxtaposition

Placing two ideas side by side to highlight contrast. (It was the best of times, it was the worst of times)

Malapropism

Misusing a word for one that sounds similar, often humorously. (Texas has a lot of electrical votes, instead of electoral votes) 

Metaphor

Direct comparison saying one thing is another. (Time is a thief)

Onomatopoeia

A word that imitates its sound (“buzz,” “bang”).

Paradox

A statement that seems contradictory but reveals a truth. (Less is more)

Periphrasis

Using many words to express something simple (“the elongated yellow fruit” = banana).

Personification

Giving human qualities to nonhuman things.

Simile

A comparison using “like” or “as.” (Her smile was as bright as the sun)

Spoonerism

Switching initial sounds of words for humorous effect (“fighting a liar” instead of “lighting a fire”).

Ad hominem

Attacking the person making an argument rather than the argument itself. (You can’t trust his argument on climate change- he’s not even a scientist)

Anecdotal evidence

Personal stories or examples used to support an argument. (My uncle smoked his whole life and lived to 90, so smoking can’t be that bad) 

Appositive

A noun or phrase that renames another noun right beside it (“My brother, a skilled guitarist, loves music.”).

Balanced sentence

A sentence with two parts that are equal in length and importance. (Buy a bucket of chicken and have a barrel of fun) 

Connotation

The emotional or cultural meaning associated with a word.

Denotation

The literal dictionary definition of a word

Diction

Word choice, especially regarding tone or style.

Enumeration

Listing details or reasons one by one. (The job requires honestly, patience, courage, and commitment)

Epistrophe

Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses. (See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil)

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.

Metanoia

When the speaker corrects or strengthens a statement (“This is the best—no, the only way forward.”).

Paralipsis

Emphasizing something by pretending to pass over it (“I won’t even mention how late you are.”).

Zeugma

Using one word to modify two others in different ways (“She broke his car and his heart.”).

Syllogism

Logical reasoning using two premises and a conclusion (“All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.”).

Antimetabole

Repetition of words in reverse order (“Eat to live, not live to eat.”).

Anadiplosis

Repeating the last word of one clause at the beginning of the next (“Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate.”).

Concession

Acknowledging an opposing argument to strengthen your own credibility. (While it’s true that homework can be stressful, it also helps students learn responsibility)