AP LANG RHETORICAL DEVICES

CONNOTATION

the nonliteral, associative meaning of a word. The implied, suggested meaning of a word. Good word to use when you discuss diction.

DICTION

the writer’s word choices. Talk about their effect/purpose (how the words create clarity, tone, emotion, symbolism, etc.)

JUXTAPOSITION

the arrangement of images close to each other in a work. Might come in handy when discussing imagery, diction, irony, or symbolism.

ANAPHORA

Parallelism with repeated words/phrasing/diction. Creates rhythm, draws attention to key ideas, creates musicality or a poetic feel.

PARALLELISM

the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences or paragraphs to give structural similarity. Can involve, but not limited to, repetition of a certain word or phrase with only slight variation added. The effects are numerous, but the most common one is attention paid to a particular idea for emphasis. Can also provide a musical rhythm or dramatic effect. Three kinds of parallelism are outlined below:

ALLEGORY

A story or text in which events, actions, characters, settings or objects represent specific abstractions, historical events, or abstract concepts.

ALLUSION

a reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as a work of literature, a historical event, a fellow writer, a myth, a place, or a work of art. The effect can boost the ethos of the writer, or it may make the reader see the writer as more cultured, intelligent, relatable, or worldly.

AMBIGUITY

when a word, phrase, or statement contains more than one meaning

LITANY

a listing of items or actions in a sentence. Discuss this as an aspect of the writer’s syntax. Creates movement, activity, elaboration, and detail. Might make the writing more vivid, might create a slight loss of control/calm, etc.

MOTIF

the repetition or variations of an image or idea in a work used to develop a theme or characterization

PERSONIFICATION

the assignment of human characteristics to a nonhuman object or force. Used to make the thought more vivid and tactile to the reader.

COLLOQUIAL/COLLOQUIALISM

the use of informalities, chattiness, and/or slang in speech or writing. The opposite of formal style. Gives the work a conversational, familiar tone. Makes the writer/speaker more relatable, ordinary. Might create humor and a break in tension, as well. Might make the writer seem less distant, less scholarly, etc.

EXIGENCE

the issue, problem, or situation that causes a writer to write something.

ANALOGY

a similarity or comparison between two different things.  Can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with something more familiar.  Can also make writing more vivid, imaginative, or intellectually engaging.PATHOS

PATHOS

an appeal to one’s emotions. Discuss the specific emotions in your analysis.