AP Literature & Composition: Rhetoric Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards featuring key rhetorical terms, definitions, and literary examples from Ms. Shaw's AP Literature & Composition course.

logos

The appeal to reason, to the forcefulness of a well-thought-out and well-structured position. It refers to the internal consistency and clarity of the message and to the logic of its reasons and support.

pathos

The use of emotion in debate or argument; an appeal to an audience's imaginative sympathies.

ethos

The appeal to credibility that a speaker or writer brings to the subject (which can be a function of reputation for honesty and expertise). It is often conveyed through tone and style, through the care with which alternative views are considered, and through investment in the claim.

anadiplosis

Repetition of a prominent last word of one phrase or sentence at the beginning of the next (e.g., Yoda's "Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering" or "rely on his honor—honor such as his?").

anaphora

Repetition of a word or expression at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses, especially for rhetorical or poetic effect (e.g., "No right, no wrong, no rules for me!").

chiasmus

A figure of speech in which words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order, in the same or a modified form (e.g., "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" or "one for all and all for one").

diacope

A word or phrase repeated after a brief interruption (e.g., "Bond. James Bond" or "Run, Toto—run!").

double epithet

Two words of identical or almost identical meaning joined by a conjunction, producing the chief effect of richness or plentitude of style (e.g., "foul and pestilent," "wisdom and knowledge").

epistrophe

Repetition of a word or expression at the end of successive phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses, especially for rhetorical or poetic effect (e.g., Abraham Lincoln's "of the people, by the people, for the people").

epizeuxis

Repeating a word immediately in the same context (e.g., "simplify, simplify" or "The horror! The horror!").

isocolon

A figure of speech focusing on similarity and difference, in which at least two clauses or sentences are grammatically parallel or structurally the same (e.g., "Roses are red. Violets are blue.").

metonymy

The use of something closely related for the thing actually meant (e.g., "The White House was planning to attack the British Crown with the support of Wall Street").

parallelism

The repetition of a chosen grammatical form in successive phrases, clauses, or sentences; repeated syntactical similarities introduced for rhetorical effect (e.g., "laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form").

periodic sentence

A sentence that, by leaving the completion of its main clause to the end, produces an effect of suspense (e.g., "Unable to join the others at the dance because of my sprained ankle, I went to a movie").

polyptoton

Repeated use of one word as different parts of speech or in different grammatical forms, or the rhetorical repetition of a word in a different case, inflection, or voice in the same sentence (e.g., "stranger" / "strange", "Please Please Me", or Tennyson's "my own heart's heart, and ownest own, farewell").

preterition

A figure of speech by which, in pretending to pass over something, a summary mention of it is made or attention is called to it; a passing over with brief mention to rhetorically emphasize the suggestiveness of what is omitted (e.g., "I don’t intend to dwell on my opponent’s embezzlement of funds").

prolepsis

Literally meaning "anticipation" in Greek; the use of a pronoun before using the noun it refers to (e.g., Philip Larkin's "They f**k you up, your mum and dad").

rhetorical question

A question not intended to require an answer.

synecdoche

A figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole (e.g., "all hands and feet").

tricolon crescens

A figure of speech comprised of three clearly defined parts, listed in ascending order of importance or size (e.g., "days, weeks, years" or "it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave").