AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis

Antonomasia

Antonomasia

a kind of metonymy in which an epithet or phrase takes the place of a proper name

synaesthesia/synesthesia

device where one sense is described in terms of another (usually a simile)

warrant

a component of an arrangement essay that explains how the evidence provided helps prove the assertions and connects everything back to the thesis

apostrophe

when a speaker directly addresses someone or something isn't present

fallacy

failure in reasoning that renders on argument invalid

paradox

assertion seemingly opposed to common sense, but that may yet have some truth in it

allegory

extending a metaphor through an entire narrative so that objects, persons, and actions in the text are equated with meanings that lie outside the text

epistrophe

repetition of the same word or words at the end of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences

pathos

appeal to emotion; way of convincing the audience of an argument by creating an emotional response

anecdote

short account or narrative of an interest or amusing incident, often intended to illustrate or support some point

epizeuxis

words or phrases are repeating in quick succession for emphasis

persona

"mask". The face, role, or character that a speaker shows to his or her audience

pun

play on words in which homophone is repeated but used in a difference sense

allusion

brief, usually indirect reference to a person, place, event, or literary work (real or fictional)

polysyndeton

conjunctions (and, but, or, etc) are used repeatedly in quick succession, often with no commas, even when the conjunctions could be removed

asyndeton

conjunctions are omitted between a series of words, phrases, or clauses

litotes

ironic understatement that expresses a positive sentence using its negative form first to emphasize an idea or situation, rather than minimizing its importance

metonymy

figure of speech that consists of the use of the name of one object or concept for that of another to which its related, or of which it is a part

juxtaposition

2 or more ideas, places, characters, and their actions are placed side by side for the purpose of developing comparisons and contrast

hypohora

speaker poses a question and then a the answers question

zeugma

a figure of speech in which a word applies to two others in different senses

accumulation

list of words or ideas which embody similar abstract/physical qualities or meanings. These words or ideas are listed together to emphasis and build meaning because of qualities these words share

exigence

an issue, problem, or situation that causes or prompts someone to write or speak

antithesis

Direct opposite

analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.

exemplification

Providing examples in service of a point.

logos

an appeal based on logic or reason

amplification

involves repeating a word or expression while adding more detail to it, in order to emphasize

rhetoric

the art of using language effectively and persuasively

chiasmas

words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order and in the same or a modified form

kairos

correct time to say or do a particular thing depending on the context

ethos

gives author credibility

parallelism

Phrases or sentences of a similar construction/meaning placed side by side, balancing each other

alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds

anaphora

the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

Aristotelian triangle

A diagram showing the relations of writer or speaker, audience (reader or listener), and text in a rhetorical situation.

audience

the listener, viewer, or reader of a text

appositive

A noun or noun phrase that follows another noun immediately or defines or amplifies its meaning

connotation

an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning.

dependent clause

A clause in a complex sentence that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and that functions within the sentence as a noun or adjective or adverb

diction

A writer's or speaker's choice of words

evidence

proof

figurative language

Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.

imagery

Description that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)

independent clause

A clause that can stand alone as a sentence

language

entire body of words in a piece of text

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.

occasion

there are 2 types: forensic and epideictic.

personification

the giving of human qualities to an animal, object, or idea

purpose

thing the speaker is hoping accomplish

repetition

Repeated use of sounds, words, or ideas for effect and emphasis

rhetorical question

A question asked merely for rhetorical effect and not requiring an answer

simile

A comparison of two unlike things using like or as

spatial order

main points follow a directional pattern

strong verb

not a boring verb (i.e. strolled instead of walked)

structure

the arrangement or framework of a sentence, paragraph, or entire work

style

blend of diction, syntax, figurative speech, and other devices

symbolism

A device in literature where an object represents an idea.

syntax

way sentences are structure and to create meaning

thesis

a statement or theory that is put forward as a premise to be maintained or proved.

tone

speaker's attitude at different places throughout text

understatement

the opposite of exaggeration. It is a technique for developing irony and/or humor where one writes or says less than intended.

weak verbs vs strong verbs

weak = boring; strong= refreshing

spacecat

Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence, Choices, Appeals, Tone

didls

Diction, Imagery, Details, Language, Syntax