AP Lang Rhetorical Devices

Alliteration

Alliteration

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring words or syllables, often used for emphasis or to create rhythm.

Allusion

A reference to a well-known person, event, place, literary work, or work of art, either directly or indirectly, to enrich the meaning of a text.

Asyndeton

The deliberate omission of conjunctions (such as "and", "but", "or") in a series of related clauses to create a concise or emphatic effect.

Connotation

The emotional or cultural association that a word carries beyond its explicit meaning, often influencing how it is perceived by readers.

Diction

The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing, typically reflecting the author's style, tone, and purpose.

Flashback

A narrative technique that interrupts the chronological sequence of events to depict an earlier occurrence, often providing context or insight into a character or plot.

Foreshadowing

A literary device in which an author hints at future events or outcomes in a story, often creating suspense or dramatic tension.

Imagery

Vivid and descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating mental images for the reader and enhancing the overall atmosphere or mood of a text.

Irony (dramatic, situational, verbal)

A literary device characterized by a contrast between expectation and reality, often resulting in humor, surprise, or deeper meaning.

Juxtaposition

The placement of two or more contrasting elements (such as characters, settings, or ideas) side by side in a text to highlight their differences or create a specific effect.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things by stating that one thing is another, often used to convey abstract ideas or enhance descriptive language.

Metonymy

A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is substituted with another word closely associated with it, often used to convey a related idea or emphasize a particular aspect.

Modernism

A literary and artistic movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by a break from traditional forms and conventions, experimentation with narrative techniques, and a focus on subjective experiences and perspectives.

Mood

The emotional atmosphere or prevailing feeling created by a literary work, achieved through elements such as setting, tone, and imagery.

Motif

A recurring theme, subject, or idea in a literary work, often serving to reinforce the central message or unify various elements of the text.

Paradox

A statement or situation that appears contradictory or absurd but may reveal a deeper truth or meaning.

Polysyndeton

The deliberate use of multiple conjunctions (such as "and", "but", "or") in close succession within a sentence or series of clauses, often to create a flowing or rhythmic effect.

Point of View

The perspective from which a story is told, determining the narrator's proximity to the events and characters and influencing the reader's understanding and interpretation.

Purpose

The reason or intention behind a particular literary work or element, which may include entertaining, informing, persuading, or expressing emotions or ideas.

Simile

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using "like" or "as", often used to make descriptions more vivid or imaginative.

Symbolism

The use of symbols or objects to represent ideas, concepts, or themes beyond their literal meaning, adding depth and layers of meaning to a text.

Syntax

The arrangement and order of words and phrases in a sentence or passage, influencing the structure, rhythm, and emphasis of a text.

Theme

The central message, insight, or underlying meaning of a literary work, often reflecting universal truths or addressing fundamental human experiences.

Tone

The attitude or emotional disposition of the author or narrator toward the subject matter or audience, conveyed through language, style, and narrative voice.