AP Lang rhetorical choice words

Allegory

the device using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction like hope or freedom.

Alliteration

The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonants in two or more neighboring words

Allusion

A direct or indirect reference to common knowledge

Ambiguity

The multiple meanings, either of a word, phrase,

sentence, or passage.

analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them

anaphora

One of the devices of repetition, in which the same expression (word or words) is

repeated at the beginning of two or more lines, clauses, or sentences

anecdote

A short narrative detailing particulars of an interesting episode or event.

antecedent

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.

antithesis

Figure of balance in which two contrasting ideas are intentionally juxtaposed, usually

through parallel structure; a contrasting of opposing ideas in adjacent phrases, clauses, or sentences.

aphorism

witty life saying

apostrophe

A figure of speech that addresses to someone or something that cannot answer.

asyndeton

consists of omitting conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses.

atmosphere

The emotional mood created by the entirety of a literary work

chiasmus

a figure of speech in which two successive phrases or clauses are parallel in syntax, but reverse the order of the analogous words

clause

A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb. An independent, or main, clause expresses a

complete thought and can sand alone as a sentence. A dependent, or subordinate clause cannot stand

alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent clause

colloquial

The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing

coherence

A principle demanding that the parts of any composition be arranged so that the meaning of the whole

may be immediately clear and intelligible

conceit

A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between

seemingly dissimilar objects

connotation

The nonliteral, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning.

denotation

The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion attitude, or color.

diacope

repetition of a word or phrase after an intervening word or phrase: word/phrase X, . . ., word/phrase X.

diction

refers to the writer's word choices, especially with regard to their correctness,clearness, or effectiveness

didactic

Didactic works have the primary aim of

teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles

enumeration

Figure of amplification in which a subject is divided into constituent parts or details, and may include a listing of causes, effects, problems, solutions, conditions, and consequences; the listing or detailing of the parts of something

expletive

Figure of emphasis in which a single word or short phrase, usually interrupting normal

speech, is used to lend emphasis to the words on either side of the expletive.

euphemism

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

exposition

The purpose of exposition is to explain something.

extended metaphor

A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout the work.

figurative language

Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be

imaginative and vivid.

figure of speech

A device used to produce figurate language

generic conventions

This term describes traditions for each genre. These conventions help to define each genre

genre

The major category into which a literary work fits.

homily

This term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech,

or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.

hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement

hypophora

Figure of reasoning in which one or more questions is/are asked and then answered, often at length,

by one and the same speaker; raising and responding to one's own question(s).

imagery

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

interference/infer

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.

invective

an emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attach using srong, abusive language.

irony/ironic

The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant.1) In a verbal irony, the words literally state the opposite of the writer's (or speaker's) true meaning. (2) In situational irony, events turn out the opposite of what was expected. What the characters and the readers think ought to happen. (3) In dramatic irony, facts or events are unknown to a character in a play or piece of fiction, but know to the reader, audience, or other characters in the work

juxtaposition

When two words, phrases, images, ideas are placed close together or side by side for comparison or contrast.

litotes

Litotes is a figure of thought in which a point is

affirmed by negating its opposite. It is a special form of understatement, where the surface denial serves,

through ironic contrast, to reinforce the underlying assertion.

loose sentence

a type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by

w dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses.

metaphor

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the

other, suggesting some similarity

metonymy

Metonymy is a

figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it

mood

The first meaning is grammatical and eals

with verbal units and a speaker's attitude. The indicative mood is used only for factual sentences.The imperative mood is used for commands. The second meaning of mood is literary, meaning the prevailing atmosphere or emotional

aura of a work.

narrative

The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events

onomatopeia

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

oxymoron

an oxymoron is 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

parody

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.

pedantic

An adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly,academic, or bookish

periodic sentence

A sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end. This independent clause is preceded by a phrase or clause that cannot stand alone.

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.

polysyndeton

sin-dih-tawn) - Figure of addition and emphasis which intentionally employs a series of conjunctionsnot normally found in successive words, phrases or

clauses; the deliberate and excessive use of conjunctions in successive words or clauses.The effect is a

feeling of multiplicity, energetic enumeration, and building up - a persistence or intensity.

point of view

In literature, the perspective from which a story is told. (1) the first person narrator tells the story with the first person

pronoun, "I," and is a character in the story. This narrator can be the protagonist, a participant (character in

a secondary role), or an observer (a character who merely watches the action). 2) the third person narrator

relates the events with the third person pronouns, "he," "she," and "it." There are two main subdivisions to

be aware of: omniscient and limited omniscient. In the "third person omniscient" point of view, the narrator,

with godlike knowledge., present the thoughts and actions of any or all characters. This all-knowing narrator

can reveal what each character feels and thinks at any given moment. The "third person limited omniscient"

point of view, as its name implies, presents the feelings and thoughts of only one character, presenting only the actions of all remaining characters

predicate adjective

One type of subject complement is an adjective, group of adjectives, or adjective clause that

follows a linking verb.

predicate nominative

A second type of subject complement - a noun, group of nouns, or noun clause that names

the subject.

prose

refers to fiction and non-fiction, including all its forms. In prose

the printer determines the length of the line; in poetry, the poet determines the length of the line

repitition

The duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word,

phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern

rhetoric

describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively,

eloquently, and persuasively.

rhetorical modes

describes the variety, the conventions, and purposes of the major kinds of

writing. The four most common rhetorical modes and their purposes are as follows: (1) The purpose of

exposition (or expository writing) is to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant

evidence, and appropriate discussion. The AP language exam essay questions are frequently expository

topics. (2) The purpose of argumentation is to prove the validity of an idea, or point of view, by presenting

sound reasoning, discussion, and argument that thoroughly convince the reader. Persuasive writing is a

type of argumentation having an additional aim of urging some form of action. (3) The purpose of

description is to re-create, invent, or visually present a person, place, event or action so that the reader can

picture that being described. Sometimes an author engages all five senses in description; good descriptive

writing can be sensuous and picturesque. Descriptive writing may be straightforward and objective or highly

emotional and subjective. (4) The purpose of narration is to tell a story or narrate an event or series of

events. This writing mode frequently uses the tools of descriptive writing. These four modes are sometimes referred to as mode of discourse.

rhetorical question

differs from hypophora in that it is not answered by the writer because its answer

is obvious or obviously desired, and usually just a yes or no answer would suffice. It is used for effect,

emphasis, or provocation, or for drawing a conclusionary statement from the fact at hand.

sarcasm

sarcasm involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or

ridicule someone or something.

satire

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

semantics

The branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another.

style

The consideration of style has two purposes: (1) An evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in

blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices. Some authors' styles are so

idiosyncratic that we can quickly recognize works by the same author (or a writer emulating that author's

style)/ Compare, for example, Jonathan's Swift to George Orwell or William Faulkner to Ernest Hemingway.

We can analyze and describe an author's personal style and make judgments on how appropriate it is to the

author's purpose. Styles can be called flowery, explicit, succinct, rambling, bombastic, commonplace,

incisive, or laconic, to name only a few examples. (2) Classification of authors to a group and comparison of an author to similar authors.

subject complement

The word (with any accompanying phrases) or clauses that follows a linking verb and

complements, or completes, the subject of the sentence by either (1) renaming it or (2) describing it. The

former is the technically a predicate nominative, the latter a predicate adjective. Multiple-choice questions

subordinate clause

the subordinate clause cannot stand alone; it does

not express a complete thought. Also called a dependent clause, the subordinate clause depends on a

main clause, sometimes called an independent clause, to complete its meaning

syllogism

syllogistic logic is a deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises (the firs one called "major"

and the second, "minor") that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion

symbol/symbolism

anything that represents itself and stands for something else. Usually a symbol is

something concrete - such as object, action, character, or scene - that represents something more abstract.

However, symbols, and symbolism can be much more complex. One system classifies symbols in three

categories: (1) Natural symbols are objects and occurrences from nature to represent ideas commonly

associated with them (dawn symbolizing hope or a new beginning, a rose symbolizing love, a tree

symbolizing knowledge). (2) Conventional symbols are those that have been invested with meaning by a

group (religious symbols such as a cross or Star of David; national symbols, such as a flag or an eagle; or

group symbols, such as a skull an crossbones for pirates or the scales of justice for lawyers). (3) Literary

symbols are sometimes also conventional in the sense that they are found in a variety of works and are

generally recognized.

synecdoche

is a type of metaphor in which the part stands for the whole, the whole for a part, the genus for the species, the species for the genus, the material for the thing made, or in short, any portion , section, or main quality for the whole or the thing itself (or vice versa).

syntax

The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences

theme

The central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life

thesis

In expository writing, the thesis statement is the sentence or a group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position

tone

tone describes the author's attitude toward his material, the audience, or both.

transition

word or phrase that links different ideas

understatement

The ironic minimizing of fact, understatement presents something as less significant than it is.

undertone

An attitude that may lie under the ostensible tone of the piece

wit

Wit usually uses terse language that makes a pointed statement.