Rhetorical Devices and Concepts - AP Lang Lecture Notes

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key rhetorical devices and concepts from the lecture notes.

Enumeratio

A form of listing details, reasons, items, events, or other elements to support a central idea; adds clarity, depth, and rhythm through multiple examples.

Enumeration

The listing or detailing of parts, causes, effects, or consequences of something to clarify or emphasize by breaking it down.

Parallelism

Repetition of grammatical structures in a sentence to create balance and rhythm.

Chiasmus

A form of parallelism in which the order of terms is inverted (ABBA) to emphasize contrast.

Apostrophe

Directly addressing someone or something that is not present to express emotion or emphasize a point.

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis or humor.

Understatement

Deliberately presenting something as less important or serious than it really is.

Antithesis

The direct juxtaposition of contrasting ideas or words for emphasis.

Analogy

A comparison between familiar and unfamiliar ideas to explain or clarify a concept.

Allusion

A brief indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea to enrich writing.

Eponym

Using attributes of a well known figure to illuminate or compare with an unknown figure.

Hypophora

A question posed and immediately answered to engage the audience and clarify a point.

Rhetorical Question

A question asked for effect rather than to seek information; used to make a point.

Simile

A figure of speech comparing two things using like or as to create imagery.

Metaphor

A direct comparison stating one thing is another, without using like or as.

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to form well formed sentences; shows sentence structure.

Tone

The general attitude or mood conveyed by a place, piece, or speaker.

Imagery

Visually descriptive language that appeals to the senses.

Epithet

An adjective or descriptive phrase naming a characteristic of the person or thing.

Asyndeton

The absence of conjunctions between parts of a sentence to speed up pacing and add urgency.

Polysyndeton

The repeated use of conjunctions to slow pace and emphasize each item.

Metonymy

Replacing the name of a thing with something closely related to it to enrich language.

Synecdoche

Using a part to refer to the whole, or the whole to refer to a part.

Hyperbaton

Inversion of normal word order to surprise or emphasize a point.

Anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.

Epistrophe

Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses.

Symploce

Repetition at both the beginning and end of successive clauses.

Diction

Choice of words and style of expression in writing or speech.

Ethos

Persuasive appeal based on the speaker or writer's credibility, character, or authority.

Pathos

Persuasive appeal to the audience's emotions, evoking pity, empathy, or sadness.

Logos

Persuasive appeal to reason and logic, using evidence and reasoning.

Juxtaposition

Placing two contrasting things side by side to emphasize differences or similarities.

Cause and Effect

Explores how one event leads to another and what the consequences are.

Classification

Grouping information into categories based on shared characteristics.

Division

Breaking down a whole into its component parts for analysis.

Rhetorical Situation

The context of communication that shapes purpose, audience, and delivery.

Concession

Acknowledging a point from the other side to build toward a counterargument.

Refutation

Proving a claim or argument to be wrong through evidence and reasoning.

Compare and Contrast

Analyzing similarities and differences between two subjects.

Sententia

A concise, wise maxim or aphorism used to summarize or persuade.

Exemplum

An anecdote used to illustrate a moral truth or support an argument.

Climax

The highest point of tension or drama in a narrative; turning point before resolution.

Personification

Giving human traits to non-human things.

Satire

Use of humor to criticize folly or stupidity; social commentary.

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows more than the characters, creating tension.

Verbal Irony

Saying the opposite of what is meant, often for humor or emphasis.

Situational Irony

When the outcome is opposite of what is expected.