AP Lang & Comp Rhetorical Terms

Tropes

Figures of speech that shift meaning beyond the literal (e.g., metaphor, irony). Ex: "Time is a thief."

Analogy

A comparison of two things to help explain an idea or concept. More detailed than a metaphor/simile-often with a point-by-point comparison. It states and explains the comparison. Ex: Hand is to glove as foot is to sock.

Simile

Comparison using "like" or "as." Ex: Her smile was as bright as the sun.

Metaphor

Implicit comparison saying one thing is another. Ex: Time is a thief.

Litotes

Understatement where a positive idea is expressed by denying the opposite. Ex: He's not a bad singer.

Apostrophe

Addressing someone absent or abstract. Ex: O Death, where is thy sting?

Synecdoche

Part stands for whole. Ex: All hands on deck.

Metonymy

Related word used for something. Ex: The crown will decide.

Euphemism

Softer substitute for harsh word. Ex: He passed away.

Understatement

Making something seem less important. Ex: It's just a scratch.

Antonomasia

Title or phrase replacing a name. Ex: The Bard for Shakespeare.

Chiasmus

Reversal of structure for effect. Ex: Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.

Analepsis

Flashback to earlier events. Ex: A story returning to childhood.

Parallelism

Repeated grammatical structure. Ex: She likes reading, writing, and painting.

Antithesis

Contrasting ideas in parallel. Ex: Best of times, worst of times.

Anadiplosis

Last word repeated at start of next clause. Ex: Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate.

Polyptoton

Repeating root word in different forms. Ex: Strong men strongly oppose.

Anaphora

Repetition at the start of clauses. Ex: We shall fight on the beaches, we…, we…

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds. Ex: Hear the mellow wedding bells.

Consonance

Repetition of consonant sounds. Ex: The lumpy, bumpy road.

Anastrophe

Inverted word order. Ex: Strong in the Force, you are.

Apposition

Placing two nouns side by side. Ex: My brother, a carpenter, built this.

Zeugma

A figure of speech where a single word applies to two other words, but in different senses or ways, to create a surprising, humorous, or emotionally impactful effect. Ex: She broke his car and his heart.

Asyndeton

Leaving out conjunctions. Ex: I came, I saw, I conquered.

Polysyndeton

Excessive use of conjunctions. Ex: We have ships and men and money and supplies.

Aphorism

Brief, wise saying. Ex: Actions speak louder than words.

Ambiguity

Phrase with multiple meanings. Ex: The chicken is ready to eat.

Connotation

Emotional meaning of a word. Ex: Home = warmth.

Denotation

Dictionary meaning. Ex: Home = where one lives.

Diction

Word choice shaping style. Ex: Child vs. kid.

Mood

Atmosphere created for reader. Ex: A dark, suspenseful story.

Tone

Author's attitude toward subject. Ex: A sarcastic essay.

Parable

Short story teaching a moral. Ex: The Good Samaritan.

Oxymoron

Two contradictory words together. Ex: Bittersweet.

Paradox

Contradiction that reveals truth. Ex: Less is more.

Syntax

Arrangement of words/sentences. Ex: Short vs. long sentences.