ap lang rhetorical terms

allegory

Using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. The Tortoise and the Hare, where the tortoise's steady progress represents diligence and the hare's haste represents arrogance

alliteration

The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words (as in “she sells sea shells”). The repetition can reinforce meaning, unify ideas, supply a musical sound, and/or echo the sense of the passage.

allusion

A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, work of art.  Allusions can be historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical, etc.

ambiguity

 The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage. "Visiting relatives can be exhausting". This statement is ambiguous because it can mean either that it's tiring when relatives come to visit you, or it's tiring for you to go visit them, leading to confusion about the sentence's intended meaning

analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.  An analogy can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with or pointing out its similarity to something more familiar. Analogies can also make writing more vivid, imaginative, or intellectually engaging.

anaphora

repetition of the initial word or phrase in a series of clauses or phrases for emphasis and rhythm. Ex: War is the enemy.  War is the murderer of children.  War is the ravager of marriages.  War is the destroyer of culture. (*see MLK’s “I Have a Dream Speech”)

antecedent

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.  “The dog's been barking for hours—he needs to go outside. he=the dog

antithesis

the opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite. “no pain no gain”

antimetabole

repeating words in reverse order for surprise or emphasis. Ex: Pleasure’s a sin, and sometimes sin’s a pleasure. "Fair is foul, and foul is fair"

aphorism

A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle.  An aphorism can be a memorable summation of the author’s point. "Actions speak louder than words” "A penny saved is a penny earned"

asyndeton

omits conjunctions (like "and," "but," or "or") from a series of words.

"I came, I saw, I conquered"

“Reduce, reuse, recycle”

colloquial/colloquialism

The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.  Not generally acceptable for formal writing, colloquialisms give a work a conversational, familiar tone

conceit

A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.  A conceit displays intellectual cleverness as a result of the unusual comparison being made.

comparing two lovers to a pair of compasses

concession

reluctantly agreeing or yielding to another’s argument

connotation

a word beyond its literal meaning. For example, "slender" has a positive connotation, while "skinny" is often negative, though both mean "thin".

denotation

The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word. (Example: the denotation of a knife would be a utensil used to cut; the connotation of a knife might be fear, violence, anger, foreboding, etc.)

diatribe

a forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.

diction

refers to the writer’s word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness

(for example, formal or informal, ornate or plain)

didactic

the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles.

dogmatism

an individual holding their faith's core beliefs as absolute truth without considering alternative viewpoints, even when presented with contradictory evidence.

euphemism

soft language used to lessen a harsher reality

Saying “earthly remains” rather than “corpse” is an example

extended metaphor

a metaphor that spans multiple sentences or paragraphs.

figure of speech

A device used to produce figurative language

apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche, and understatement. 

homily

This term literally means “sermon,” but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.

hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement.

dying of laughter, her smile was a mile wide

imagery

The sensory details (words that appeal to the 5 senses) or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions

invective

an emotionally violent, verbal attack using strong, abusive language.

irony/ironic

The contrast between what is expected and what actually occurs

(1) verbal irony – is like sarcasm: Yay! the weather is great. when its raining

  (2) situational irony – an event takes place that is the opposite of what someone expects: a blizzard of snow on the first day of spring, A fire station burning down

  (3) dramatic irony – a secret only the audience knows

litotes

a form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite

“Not a bad idea,” “Not many,” “It isn’t very serious.  I have this tiny little tumor on the brain”

metaphor

 A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things

onomatopoeia

A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words.  Simple examples include such words as buzz, hiss, hum, crack, whinny, and murmur. 

oxymoron

the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.  Simple examples include “jumbo shrimp” and “cruel kindness.”

paradox

 A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity. (Think of the beginning of Dickens’ Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times....”) 

parallelism

It refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity

act as an organizing force to attract the reader’s attention, add emphasis and organization, or simply provide a musical rhythm.

parody

 A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.

pedantic

An adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish (language that might be described as “show-offy”; using big words for the sake of using big words).

pedestrian

commonplace, flat, unimaginative

personification

the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions.

polemic

1)A controversial argument, especially one refuting or attacking a specific opinion or doctrine. 

2) A person engaged in or inclined to controversy, argument, or refutation. 

polysyndeton

the repetition of close conjunctions in succession

prose

major divisions of genre, refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms. 

refute

to discredit an argument

repetition

The duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern. 

rhetoric

Greek for “orator,” this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.

sarcasm

involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something. It may use irony as a device, but not all ironic statements are sarcastic (that is, intended to ridicule).

satire

the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices

syllogism

a deductive argument that presents two premises (major then minor) that lead to a conclusion. A frequently cited example proceeds as follows: 

  major premise: All men are mortal. 

  minor premise: Socrates is a man. 

  conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is a mortal. 

symbol/symbolism

Generally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else. 

syntax

The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences. Syntax is similar to diction, but you can differentiate them by thinking of syntax as groups of words, while diction refers to the individual words.

theme

The central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life. 

thesis

the sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author’s opinion, purpose, meaning, or position.

tone

 Describes the author’s attitude toward his material, the audience, or both. Some words describing tone are playful, serious, businesslike, sarcastic, humorous, formal, ornate, sardonic, somber, etc. 

transition

A word or phrase that links different ideas, signaling a shift from one idea to another.  Transitions: furthermore, consequently, nevertheless, for example, in addition, likewise, similarly, on the contrary, etc. 

tricolon

a series of three parallel words, phrases, or clauses

understatement

 The ironic minimalizing of fact, understatement presents something as less significant than it is.  The effect can frequently be humorous and emphatic.  Understatement is the opposite of hyperbole.

wit

Intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights. A witty statement is humorous, while suggesting the speaker’s verbal power in creating ingenious and perceptive remarks.  Wit usually uses terse language that makes a pointed statement.