AP Language and Composition Rhetorical Terms

UE = Use Encouraged | UVE = Use Very Encouraged | UNE = Use Not Encouraged

parallelism

parallelism

UE | similarity of structure in a series of related phrases; emphasizes similarity/contrast and/or connections

isocolon

type of parallelism; use of parallel elements in both structure and length, same amount of words or even syllables; contributes to rhythm

antithesis

UVE | juxtaposition of contrasting ideas, often in parallel structure; emphasizes dissimilarities and contrast

anastrophe

inversion of natural word order; deviation defies expectation so it can gain attention and secure emphasis; think "yoda speech"

parenthesis

UE | insertion that interrupts the natural sentence flow; allows authors voice to be heard commenting; charges statement with emotion

apposition

UNE | placing two coordinate elements side-by-side, the second serving as a explanation or modification; less intrusive than parenthesis

ellipses

UNE | deliberate omission of a word which are readily implied by the context

asyndeton

UE | deliberate omission of conjunctions; creates hurried rhythm

polysyndeton

opposite of asyndeton; deliberate use of many conjunctions; can suggest flow or continuity

alliteration

UNE | repetition of initial or middle consonants in two or more adjacent words; sometimes used for humorous effect

assonance

UNE | repetition of similar vowel sounds, preceded or followed by different consonants

anaphora

UVE | repetition of the same word at the beginning of successive clauses; always deliberate; helps establish a marked rhythm; produces a strong emotional effect

epistrophe

UVE | repetition of the same word at the end of successive clauses; sets up a pronounces rhythm and special emphasis

epanalepsis

UE | repetition of a word at the beginning and end of a single clause; gives appearance of emotional spontaneity

anadiplosis

UE | repetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the next

climax

UE | arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses in order of increasing importance

antimetabole

UE | repetition of words in successive clauses in reverse grammatical order; produces impressive turn of phrase

chiasmus

reversal of grammatical structure in successive phrases/clauses; like antimetabole but without repetition

polyptoton

repetition of words derived from the same root; similar to word play, but the meanings of the words stay literal

metaphor

UNE | an implied comparison between two things of unlike nature that yet have something in common

simile

UNE | en explicit comparison between two things of unlike nature that yet have something in common using "like" or "as"

synechdoche

UE | a figure of speech in which a part stands for the whole

metonymy

UE | a substitution of some attribute or suggestive word for what is actually meant

puns

UNE | antanaclasis: repetition of a word in two different senses paranomasia: use of words similar in sound but different in meaning syllepsis: use of a word understood differently in relation to two more more other words, which it modifies

zeugma

UNE | like syllepsis, but the word does not fit grammatically or idiomatically with one of the modified words; not considered a form of pun

anthimeria

substitution of one part of speech for another; like using a noun in place of a verb

periphrasis

UE | substitution of a descriptive word or phrase for a proper name or a proper name of something associated

personification

UNE | investing abstractions or inanimate objections with human qualities; lends itself to emotional appeals

apostrophe

UE | addressing an absent person or personified abstraction; imbues its subject with an emotional charge

hyperbole

Use Lightly | use of exaggerated terms for the purpose of emphasis

litotes

deliberate use of understatement to enhance the impressiveness of what is stated; often a double negative to express affirmation

rhetorical question/erotema

UE | asking a question for the purpose of asserting or denying something indirectly; can be a persuasive device; can signify shift

irony

UE | use of a word that conveys a meaning opposite to the literal meaning

sarcasm

witty language used to convey insults or scorn

onomatopoeia

UNE | use of words which imitate the real sound

oxymoron

UNE | putting together two terms that are ordinarily contradictory; produces a startling effect

paradox

UE | an apparently contradictory statement that actually contains a measure of truth