AP Lang - Rhetorical Strategies

Onomatopoeia

The formation of a word as to describe sound an action would make.

Alliteration

The repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables. Not exclusively just the beginning of the word, but can also come in the middle.

Assonance

The repetition of vowels without repetition of consonants. Used as an alternative to rhyme in verse.

Consonance

The repetition of a consonant sound usually at the end of beginning of the word, and it doesn't have to rhyme, although it often does. (Commonly found in speeches)

Allegory

A method of showing hidden meanings through symbols in art, stories, and pictures.

Analogy

A comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification. Differs from similes and metaphors as they are more brief and compare two unlike things.

Metaphor

A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.

Conceit

An extended metaphor used throughout a longer period of time. It’s the same comparison occurring over and over again.

Infer

To create a conclusion from evidence and reasoning, rather than explicit statements.

Imply

Someone hinting at the truth or existence of something with their actions and expressions

Invective

Having a highly insulting, abusive, or critical language against someone or something. Is a example of diction.

Didactic

Designed or intended to teach. It’s applied to poems and literature, having a neutral meaning. Is a type of diction

Pedantic

The usage of language that’s overly formal or difficult. Often viewed as using large words just to sound intelligent. Is a type of diction.

Motif

A recurring element or pattern that has symbolic meaning in a piece of writing. They appear repeatedly throughout a text.

Claim (Verb)

A statement that answers an original question.

Claim (Noun)

An assertion (a say with confidence of the truth of something. (Fact, value, and policy)

Evidence

The available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.

Warrant

The assumption that is an outcome of provided evidence.

Syllogism

An instance of a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed prepositions.

Juxtaposition

The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect. Does not have to contrast.

Antithesis

The rhetorical direct contrast by means of parallel arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences.

Polysyndeton

The use of repeated conjunctions between words or clauses in a sentence to emphasize what’s being said. Sometimes used in place of commas.

Asyndeton

The omission or absence of a conjunction between parts of a sentence.

Chiasmus

A sentence in which the grammar of one’s phrase is inverted in the following phrase.

Parallelism

Phrases in a sentence having the same or similar grammatical structure. Words do not have to be the same, just the structure.

Repetition

The repeating of a word or phrase two or more times.

Anaphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of clauses or sentences that follow each other.

Diction

Word choice; especially with regard to correctness, clearness, and effectiveness.

Connotation

The suggested meaning of a word apart from the thing it explicitly names or describes (something suggested from a word)

Denotation

The textbook or literal meaning of a word, differing from the feelings a word may convey.

Imagery

Pictures describe through descriptive writing or figurative language.

Hyperbole

An extravagant exaggeration used to emphasize a point.

Litotes

Exaggerated language to create the opposite effect, in order to understate something, and does rely on negation.

Allusion

A reference to a well-known person, character, place, or event that a writer makes to deepen the reader’s understanding of their work.

Aphorism

A short, clever saying that is intended to express a general truth.

Personification

A representation of a thing or abstraction as a person or human

Symbolism

Something that stands for or suggests something else by reason of relationship, association, convention, or accidental resemblance.

Paradox

A statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true. Mostly is radical and defies logic.

Oxymoron

A combination of contradictory or incongruous words. Is a more specific kind of paradox. Two words right next to each other.

Ambiguity

The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness

Ambivalance

Contradictory and coinciding feelings, like attraction and repulsion, toward someone or something

Colloquialism

A word or phrase that is not formal or literary, typically one used in ordinary or familiar conversation.

Euphemism

A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.

Syntax

The way in which linguistic elements (such as words) are put together in a specific order to convey a tone or an idea.

Clause

A group of words that contains a subject and a verb that have a relationship.

Independent Clause

A group of words that can stand on its own as a distinct sentence and explain a complete thought.

Dependent Clause

A group of words that have a subject and verb but do not form a complete thought.

Loose Sentence

A sentence that starts with an independent clause, followed by subordinating clauses. It contains the most information at the beginning of the sentence.

Periodic Sentence

A complex sentence in which the main clause, or main point, occurs at the end of a sentence.

Sarcasm

The use of words, usually in an amusing way, to someone or something. It’s used to point out the deficiencies of someone in a humorous way. Types of this are self-deprecating, deadpan, brooding, and juvenile.

Irony

Used to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning. Usually has a humorous or emphatic effect. Includes verbally, situational, and dramatic history.

Parody

A humorous imitation of a serious piece of literature/writing. Usually exaggerated.

Satire

The use of humor, irony, and sarcasm to expose and criticize someone’s ridiculous actions. It’s used to exaggerate and expose flaws.

Double-Voicing

When the author uses their childhood perspective and their adult perspective within the same piece.