AP Lang Rhetorical Devices

AP Lang Rhetorical Devices and Definitions

allegory

using characters or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning; often reveals moral truths or generalizations about human existence

alliteration

repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring words (“she sells sea shells”); reinforces meaning, unifies ideas, and adds rhythm or sound

allusion

a reference to something commonly known like an event, book, myth, place, or work of art; can be historical, literary, religious, or mythical

ambiguity

when a word, phrase, or passage has multiple meanings (intentional or unintentional)

analogy

comparison between two different things to explain or clarify something unfamiliar; makes writing more vivid or intellectually engaging

anaphora

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

antecedent

the word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun (ex: in “the dog wagged its tail,” “dog” is the antecedent)

antithesis

a contrast or opposition of ideas (“it was the best of times, it was the worst of times”)

aphorism

a short, memorable statement that expresses a general truth or moral principle (“if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”)

apostrophe

directly addressing an absent or imaginary person or personified idea (“O death, where is thy sting?”)

asyndeton

omission of conjunctions between parts of a sentence (“I came, I saw, I conquered”)

caricature

an exaggerated description that distorts characteristics for comic or critical effect

colloquialism

informal or slang expressions used in writing or speech to create a conversational tone

conceit

an extended, clever metaphor comparing two very unlike things in a surprising way

connotation

the emotional or associative meaning of a word beyond its literal definition

denotation

the dictionary definition of a word without emotional or cultural associations

diction

the author’s word choice and style; can be formal, informal, ornate, plain, etc., and helps convey tone and purpose

epistrophe

repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences

euphemism

a mild or indirect word replacing one considered harsh (“passed away” instead of “died”)

extended metaphor

a metaphor developed throughout a work or across multiple lines

figure of speech

a device that uses figurative language to compare or describe things (metaphor, simile, irony, etc.)

homily

a sermon or serious talk offering moral or spiritual advice

hyperbole

deliberate exaggeration for effect (“I’m so hungry I could eat a horse”)

imagery

descriptive or figurative language appealing to the senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell)

irony

contrast between appearance and reality or expectation and outcome; includes verbal, situational, and dramatic irony

litotes

understatement that affirms something by denying its opposite (“not bad” meaning “good”)

metaphor

a comparison saying one thing *is* another to suggest similarity (“time is a thief”)

metonymy

substituting a term with one closely associated with it (“the White House” for “the President”)

onomatopoeia

words that imitate natural sounds (“buzz,” “crack,” “whisper”)

juxtaposition

placing two contrasting elements close together to emphasize their differences

oxymoron

pairing contradictory terms for effect (“bittersweet,” “deafening silence”)

paradox

a statement that seems self-contradictory but reveals a truth (“less is more”)

parallelism

repeating grammatical structures to create rhythm or emphasis (“I came, I saw, I conquered”)

parody

imitation of another work’s style for comic effect or critique

personification

giving human qualities to nonhuman things (“the wind whispered”)

point of view

perspective from which a story is told (first person, third person limited, third person omniscient); also refers to the author’s attitude

polysyndeton

repeated use of conjunctions for emphasis (“and snow and rain and wind”)

repetition

repeating sounds, words, phrases, or structures for emphasis or rhythm

sarcasm

bitter or mocking language meant to ridicule or hurt; can use irony

satire

writing that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to expose and criticize flaws in people or society

symbol/symbolism

when something concrete represents something abstract (a dove for peace, a flag for patriotism)

synecdoche

using a part to represent a whole or vice versa (“all hands on deck” meaning sailors)

syntax

the arrangement of words and phrases to create sentences; contributes to tone and pacing

theme

the central message or insight about life presented in a work

thesis

the main idea or argument the author intends to prove

tone

the author’s attitude toward the subject, audience, or both (serious, humorous, sarcastic, formal, etc.)

understatement

presenting something as less important than it is for effect or humor

wit

clever and humorous expression that reveals intelligence and sharp insight

allegory

In the tale, the crumbling castle mirrors the decay of moral values in society.

alliteration

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers while pondering profound philosophical questions.

allusion

She met her Waterloo when confronted with the complexities of academic politics.

ambiguity

He promised to give her the key, but she was unsure if it unlocked the door or her heart.

analogy

Navigating bureaucracy is like wading through quicksand; the more you struggle, the deeper you sink.

anaphora

We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets.

antecedent

The novel challenged the reader to consider morality; its lessons were subtle but enduring.

antithesis

He proclaimed freedom while enforcing rigid rules.

aphorism

Knowledge is power, but wisdom is restraint.

apostrophe

O Liberty, how fragile thou art amidst the chaos of men.

asyndeton

He ran, he stumbled, he fell, he rose again.

caricature

The critic drew the playwright with a towering forehead and gnarled fingers, emphasizing his obsessive intellect.

colloquial

Ain’t no way I’m sticking around for that lecture.

conceit

The city was a beating heart, its streets pulsing like veins, carrying the lifeblood of commerce and ambition.

connotation

Calling her a “snake” suggested treachery and cunning far beyond mere description.

denotation

The word “ocean” refers to the vast body of saltwater covering much of the Earth’s surface.

diction

The orator’s use of archaic syntax and elevated diction conveyed reverence for tradition.

epistrophe

She cried for justice, he pleaded for justice, they all demanded justice.

euphemism

He was reassigned to a different department instead of being laid off.

extended metaphor

The mind is a garden; ideas are seeds, nurtured or choked by circumstance and attention.

figure of speech

The moon wept silver tears across the desolate plain.

homily

The essay, though ostensibly about economics, offered a heartfelt discourse on human responsibility.

hyperbole

The mountains of paperwork threatened to bury him alive.

imagery

The aroma of roasting chestnuts mingled with the crisp autumn air, painting the streets with warmth and nostalgia.

irony

The health inspector’s own restaurant failed a hygiene audit.

litotes

That exam wasn’t entirely unchallenging, subtly suggesting its extreme difficulty.

metaphor

Her voice was a velvet dagger, soothing yet piercing.

metonymy

Hollywood celebrated the victory of the new director.

onomatopoeia

The kettle shrieked and hissed as the water reached a furious boil.

juxtaposition

The poet placed the fragile bloom beside the harsh, concrete wall to highlight resilience amidst oppression.

oxymoron

Deafening silence filled the abandoned cathedral.

paradox

To save his life, he had to risk everything he owned.

parallelism

To conquer injustice, to challenge authority, and to uphold truth became his lifelong pursuit.

parody

The mock-epic lampooned heroic conventions with absurdly exaggerated battles and speeches.

personification

Time crept along the corridor, reluctant to grant respite.

point of view

The omniscient narrator revealed the hidden fears and desires of every citizen in the city.

polysyndeton

She wanted love and wealth and prestige and recognition, each equally insatiable.

repetition

Alone, alone, alone, he wandered through the desolate streets of his mind.

sarcasm

Oh, brilliant plan — let’s ignore centuries of research and reinvent the wheel.

satire

The novel skewered political hypocrisy by portraying ministers who profess virtue while scheming endlessly.

symbol/symbolism

The cracked mirror reflected fractured identity and the passage of lost time.

synecdoche

The law will come for us all — here, “law” stands for the agents enforcing it.

syntax

Inverting the usual word order, he wrote, “Into the storm ventured she,” emphasizing her courage.

theme

The text explores how ambition corrupts, revealing the fragility of moral integrity under pressure.

thesis

Compulsory schooling, while ensuring literacy, inadvertently stifles curiosity and creativity.

tone

The essay’s tone alternates between scathing critique and melancholy reflection.

understatement

Saying the sinking ship was “a bit damp” understated the imminent disaster.

wit

“I can resist anything except temptation,” she quipped, blending humor with sharp observation.