Schemes and Tropes AP Lang

Anaphora

Repetition of a single word/phrase at the beginning pf a clause, phrase or sentence

Antithesis

Putting 2 strongly opposing words next to each other

Asyndeton

Lack of conjunctions between words and phrases

Chiasmus and antimetabole

Order of words/phrases/concepts is reversed in 2nd parallel clause 

Ellipses

Leaving out a word that is already understood from the part of the sentence before

Epistrophe

Repetition of a word at the end of successive clauses/sentences

Inversion

Rearrangement of words to emphasize ideas/add dramatic effect 

Isocolon

2+ clauses/phrases/sentences that are similar in length and structure

Loose (cumulative) sentence

Independent clause followed by modifying phrases/clauses that add info

Parallel structure 

When similar grammatical structures are used to emphasize, create rhythm, and make sentences more memorable 

Parenthesis

Allows you to insert word/phrase as an explanation/afterthought

Periodic Sentence

 is a type of sentence that is complex, gradually building up suspense to emphasize the main point at the end

Polysyndeton

the deliberate insertion of conjunctions into a sentence in order to slow the rhythm of the prose so as to produce an impressively solemn note.

Rhetorical Question

A question incorporated into a speech or text in order to produce a dramatic effect or to create emphasis on a point. Isn’t meant to be answered; it is often a question that answers itself, or the answer is implied.

Juxtaposition

a literary device by which two contrasting ideas are indirectly compared. This is distinct from antithesis, which directly compares opposing ideas (i.e. “go big or go home”).

Anadiplosis

Rhetorical device where you use the last word of the previous sentence to start the following sentence.

Zeugma

A literary technique in which a verb is applied to different contexts, situations or people with the verb meaning something different for each case.

Metonymy

The substitution of a word or phrase, with another which implies the same meaning.

Synecdoche

 a literary device in which a part of something represents the whole, or the whole represents a part. It is a type of figurative language used to create vivid imagery or emphasize an idea.

Puns

 a play on words that exploits multiple meanings or similar sounds of a word for humor or rhetorical effect. They show wit, humor, double meaning, and most importantly engage the audience.

Apostrophe

Addressing someone or an object that is personified that is not physically there.

Anthimeria

Using a different part of speech to act as another, such as a verb for a noun, or a noun for a verb, or an adjective as a verb

Malapropisms

A humorously misapplied word; an acyrologia.

Oxymoron

Contradictory terms that appear in conjunction with each other.

Aposiopesis

when a speaker deliberately breaks off and leaves a statement unfinished, allowing the audience to fill in the rest- often shows strong emotion; anger, fear, excitement

Climax

The most exciting or important moment in a story when the main conflict  peaks

Allusion

A reference to a well-known historical event or story