Analysis of Rhetorical Devices

AP Lit

anaphora

aggressive, assertive, confident, clear, bold

mesodiplosis

hidden, unclear, deceptive, unsure, devalued, CENTRAL

epistrophe

pensive, persuasive, shy, CLEAR

epanalepsis

reinforcement, highlight, predetermined/ forgone conclusion- impression of a cyclical nature

conduplicatio

ever-present, unpredictable, random, overwhelming, momentum (subtle movement or organization)

anadiplosis

a conclusion which now becomes a beginning

epimone

blunt, aggressive, assertive, confident, clear, obvious, frustrated, angry, exasperated, elated

palilogia

aggressive, assertive, confident, clear, bold, obvious, frustrated, angry, exasperated, elated

diaphora

rebranding, change, new purpose

alliteration

connection of words which may or may not be obviously connected

parallel structure

be it words, clauses, or sentences which are founded upon repeating elements- this creates rhythm, anticipation, clarity, and tone

antithesis or juxtaposition

highlight something by illustrating its opposite, demonstrate how opposites may be only superficially opposite but connected on another level (especially with antithesis which requires parallel structure)

appositive

used to clarify, focus, or rebrand

rhetorical question OR hypophora (question which narrator immediately answers themself)

engagement with the audience, condescension or judgment, patronizing, socratic thoughtfulness, controlling the direction of conversation forward (especially with hypophora which is a question that is answered)

metaphor or simile

imagery or alternative perspectives to clarify, focus, engage, and/ or add tone

metonymy

redirection of focus to a part of a whole; reduces significance of the whole and increases significance of the part

Main idea, repetition, pov at the BEGINNING of the sentence

assertive, aggressive, confident, clear, bold

Main idea, repetition, pov in the MIDDLE of the sentence

hidden, unclear, deceptive, unsure, CENTRAL

Main idea, repetition, pov at the END of the sentence

pensive, persuasive, shy, CLEAR

1st person pov

Personal, ethos, self-centered, vulnerable, opinion based

2nd person pov

accusatory, confident, pathos, connection based

3rd person pov

Impersonal, logos, confident, fact based