AP Lang Rhetorical Terms

metaphor

metaphor

comparison of two unlike things that does not use “like” or “as”

functions to compare, illustrate a comparison, relate, liken, equate, draw a parallel

simile

a comparison of two unlike things that uses “like”, “as”, or “than”

functions to compare, illustrate a comparison, relate, liken, equate, draw a parallel

personification

endowing non-human objects or creatures with human qualities or characteristics

functions to humanize, bring to life, animate, liven

apostrophe

figure of speech in which one directly addresses an absent or imaginary person, or some abstraction

functions to provide insight, addresses ______, reveals inner thoughts, etc

allusion

reference to something literary, mythological, biblical, or historical that the author assumes the reader will recognize

functions to refer, reference, allude, enhance/strengthen ethos/credibility, remind

hyperbole

intentional exaggeration to create an effect

functions to exaggerate, heighten, emphasize, magnify

irony

the use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning; or incongruity between what is expected and what actually occurs

functions to expose incongruity, reveal appearance vs. reality (contrast, contradict)

understatement

the deliberate representation of something as lesser in magnitude than it actually is; a deliberate under-emphasis

functions to lessen, downplay, devalue, under-emphasize, dilute

paradox

an apparently contradictory statement that actually contains some truth

functions to contradict, expose a contradiction, juxtapose

oxymoron

an expression in which two words that contradict each other are joined

functions to contradict

epithet

a term used to point out a characteristic of a person. homeric epithets are often compound adjectives that become an almost formulaic part of a name. epithets can be abusive or offensive but are not so by definition

functions to characterize, highlight, emphasize (a characteristic)

*negative - degrades, exposes

bathos

insincere or overly sentimental quality of writing/speech intended to evoke pity

functions to evoke pity, sentiment, emotion, empathy, sympathy

euphemism

an indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant

functions to soften, ease, lessen

synecdoche

using one part of an object to represent an entire object (ex. “wheels” for car)

functions to emphasize an important aspect

metonymy

substituting the name of one object for another closely associated with it (ex. the pen [writing] is mightier than the sword [fighting])

functions to create an association between two things

litotes

a type of understatement in which an idea is expressed by negating its opposite (ex. it wasn’t a pretty picture)

functions to emphasize the negation

parallelism

the use of corresponding grammatical or syntactical forms

functions to mirror, relate, connect, emphasize, accentuate, reinforce, balance

periodic sentence

sentence whose main clause is withheld until the end

functions to build suspense, delay, withhold

cumulative sentence

sentence that completes the main idea at the beginning of the sentence, and then builds and adds on

functions to build, add, describe, highlight

balanced sentence

sentence that employs parallel structure of approximately the same length and importance

functions to qualify, equate, balance, weigh

rhetorical question

figure of speech in the form of a question posed for rhetorical effect rather than for the purpose of getting an answer

functions to provoke/prompt thought, emphasize an obvious point (with satire - mock, insult, ridicule)

antithesis

opposition, or contrast, of ideas or words in a balanced or parallel construction

functions to contrast, demonstrate an opposition

inversion

inverted order of words in a sentence (variation of the subject-verb order)

emphasizes _____; (ex. divided there is little we can do)

anaphora

repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phases, clauses, or lines

functions to emphasize, reinforce

anathema

something that is loathed or despised

functions to curse, anathematize, indicate/reveal hatred, loathing

aphorism

a concise statement of a scientific principle, typically by an ancient classical author

functions to appeal to logos/ethos, enhance credibility

epigram

a pithy saying or remark expressing an idea in a clever and amusing way

functions to contradict, contrast

parenthetical comment

a comment in parenthesis

functions to interrupt, qualify, appeal to ethos

hortative sentence

sentence that exhorts, advises, calls to action

functions to advise, exhort, call to action, inspire