ap lit rhetorical devices

allegory

The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning.

alliteration

The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words (as in “she sells seashells”). Although the term is not frequently in the multiple choice section, you can look for — in any essay passage. The repetition can reinforce meaning, unify ideas, supply a musical sound, and/or echo the sense of the passage.

allusion

A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art.

ambiguity

The multiple meanings, usually intentional but may be unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.

analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. An — can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with or pointing out its similarity to something more familiar. — can also make writing more vivid, imaginative, or intellectually engaging.

antecedent

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. The AP language exam occasionally asks for the — of a given pronoun in a long, complex sentence or in a group of sentences. A question from the 2001 AP test as an example follows: “But it is the grandeur of all truth which can occupy a very high place in human interests that it is never absolutely novel to the meanest of minds; it exists eternally, by way of germ of latent principle, in the lowest as in the highest, needing to be developed but never to be planted.” The — of “it” (bolded) is...? [answer: “all truth”]

antithesis

the opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite.

aphorism

A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle. (If the authorship is unknown, the statement is generally considered to be a folk proverb.) An — can be a memorable summation of the author’s point.

conceit

A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects. A — displays intellectual cleverness as a result of the unusual comparison being made.

diction

Related to style, — refers to the writer’s word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.

didactic

From the Greek, — literally means “teaching.” — words have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles.

euphemism

From the Greek for “good speech,” — are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept. The — may be used to adhere to standards of social or political correctness or to add humor or ironic understatement.

extended metaphor

A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a 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 figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. — include apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche, and understatement.

genre

The major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama.

hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. (The literal Greek meaning is “overshoot.”) — often have a comic effect; however, a serious effect is also possible.

imagery

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

inference/infer

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.

invective

an emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.

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. — is often used to create poignancy or humor.

metaphor

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity.

metonymy

A term from the Greek meaning “changed label” or “substitute name,” — is a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it. For example, a news release that claims “the White House declared” rather than “the President declared” - The substituted term generally carries a more potent emotional impact.

mood

The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work. Setting, tone, and events can affect the mood. Mood is similar to tone and atmosphere.

onomatopoeia

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

oxymoron

From the Greek for “pointedly foolish,” an — is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox. Simple examples include “jumbo shrimp” and “cruel kindness.”

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.

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.

point of view

In literature, the perspective from which a story is told. - When you are asked to analyze the author’s —, the appropriate point for you to address is the author’s attitude.

prose

one of the major divisions of genre, — refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms. In — the printer determines the length of the line; in poetry, the poet determines the length of the line.

repetition

The duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern.

satire

A work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule. Regardless of whether or not the work aims to reform human behavior, — is best seen as a style of writing rather than a purpose for writing.

symbol/symbolism

Generally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else.

synecdoche

a figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole or, occasionally, the whole is used to represent a part. Examples: To refer to a boat as a “sail”; to refer to a car as “wheels”; to refer to the violins, violas, etc. in an orchestra as “the strings.”

syntax

The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences. — is similar to diction, but you can differentiate them by thinking of — as groups of words, while diction refers to the individual words.

theme

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

thesis

In expository writing, the — statement is the sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author’s opinion, purpose, meaning, or position.

tone

Similar to mood, — describes the author’s attitude toward his material, the audience, or both.

understatement

the ironic minimalizing of fact, — presents something as less significant than it is. The effect can frequently be humorous and emphatic.