AP Lang Rhetorical Devices

archaic language

using language that is antiquated (old-fashioned)

alliteration

use of words with same consonant sound close together

colloquialism

using language that reflects the way people actually speak (slang)

connotation

the implied or contextualized meaning that underlies the main meaning of a word (consider emotional or intellectual interpretation)

denotation

the literal, dictionary definition of a word

ellipsis

omitting some parts of a sentence to give the reader a chance to fill the gaps

jargon

using language that is specific to a place, period, position, or occupation

repetition

just as it sounds, in order to emphasize or reiterate

simple sentences

one independent clause

complex sentences

one independent clause and one dependent clause

compound sentences

two independent clauses joined with a conjunction

compound-complex sentences

more than one sentence joined by a conjunction, one of which is complex; a compound sentence with a dependent, or subordinate clauses

cumulative sentence

sentence where main clause is at the beginning and then more is added on

hortative sentence

sentence that exhorts, urges, entreats, implores, or calls to action

imperative sentence

sentence that commands or demands

periodic sentence

sentence where main clause is withheld until the end

anaphora

repetition of words/phrases at beginning of successive phrases, clauses, lines

antimetabole/chiasmus

repetition of words in reverse order

antithesis

opposition or contrast of ideas/words in a parallel construction

asyndeton

omission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, words (speeds up)

syndeton

addition of multiple conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, words (slows down)

juxtaposition

placements of two things closely together to emphasize differences

parallelism

similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, clauses

alliteration

repetition of the same sound beginning several words or syllables in sequence.

allusion

reference to another source (e.g. Bible, mythology, poem, work of art)

anecdote

a usually short narrative of an interesting, amusing, or biographical incident used to explain, illustrate, or persuade

antecedent

a thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another; what pronouns refer to

assonance

repeating vowel sounds

consonance

repetition of identical or similar consonants in neighboring words

epithet

a characterizing word or phrase accompanying or occurring in place of the name; a disparaging or abusive word or phrase

euphemism

the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend

extended metaphor

a comparison between two unlike things that continues throughout a series of sentences

hyperbole

deliberate exaggeration

imagery

descriptive language appealing to all five senses - sight, sound, touch, smell, taste - words used to paint a picture

maxim

a short, pithy statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct

metaphor

comparison that replaces one object for another (stronger than simile)

metonymy

the substitution of the name for an attribute of the thing meant

motif

repeating symbol throughout a text

oxymoron

using two contradictory words next to each other

paradox

a statement that seems contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true

personification

describing an inanimate object as if it were a person

rhetorical question

posing a question for effect rather than to get an answer

simile

comparison that uses “like” or “as”

symbol

object used to represent an idea/theme

synecdoche

using one part to represent a whole

tone

author’s attitude toward a subject and/or character

zeugma

using two different meanings of the same word within a sentence/line