AP English Language and Composition: Key Rhetorical and Literary Terms

Vocabulary flashcards defining key rhetorical strategies, modes of discourse, grammar terminology, and literary devices for AP English Language and Composition.

Predicate Adjectives

One type of subject complement—an adjective, group of adjectives, or adjective clause that follows a linking verb in the predicate and modifies or describes the subject.

Predicate Nominative

A type of subject complement—a noun, group of nouns, or noun clause that follows a linking verb in the predicate and renames the subject.

Prose

One of the major divisions of genre, referring to fiction and nonfiction written in ordinary language that closely resembles everyday speech; technically anything that isn't poetry or drama.

Repetition

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

Rhetoric

Derived from the Greek for 'orator,' the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.

Rhetorical Appeal

The persuasive device by which a writer tries to sway the audience's attention and response, categorized by Aristotle as logos, ethos, and pathos.

Logos

A rhetorical appeal defined by Aristotle that employs logical reasoning, combining a clear idea (or multiple ideas) with well-thought-out, appropriate examples and details.

Ethos

A rhetorical appeal defined by Aristotle that establishes credibility in the speaker by appealing to the common attitudes, beliefs, and characteristics of a group or time period.

Pathos

A rhetorical appeal defined by Aristotle that plays on the reader's emotions and interests to draw upon a sympathetic audience's understanding.

Rhetorical Modes

A flexible term describing the variety, conventions, and purposes of the major kinds of writing (exposition, argumentation, description, and narration), also referred to as modes of discourse.

Exposition

A rhetorical mode whose purpose is to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion.

Argumentation

A rhetorical mode whose purpose is to prove the validity of an idea or point of view by presenting sound reasoning, thoughtful discussion, and insightful argument.

Persuasive Writing

A type of argumentation that carries the additional aim of urging some form of action.

Description

A rhetorical mode whose purpose is to re-create, invent, or visually present a person, place, event, or action so that the reader can picture what is being described.

Narration

A rhetorical mode whose purpose is to tell a story or narrate an event or series of events.

Rhetorical Question

A question asked merely for effect that does not expect a reply because the answer is assumed.

Sarcasm

Derived from the Greek meaning 'to tear flesh,' bitter, caustic language meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something.

Narrative

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

Onomatopoeia

A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words, such as buzz, hiss, hum, crack, whinny, and murmur.

Oxymoron

Derived from the Greek for 'pointedly foolish,' 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

Derived from Greek roots meaning 'beside one another,' 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, 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.

Point of View

In literature, the perspective from which a story is told.

First-Person Narrator

A narrator who tells the story using the first-person pronoun 'I' and is a character in the story, acting as a protagonist, participant, or observer.

Third-Person Omniscient Point of View

A point of view where an all-knowing narrator with godlike knowledge presents the thoughts and actions of any or all characters.

Third-Person Limited-Omniscient Point of View

A point of view that presents the feelings and thoughts of only one character, and only the actions of all remaining characters.