AP Literature & Composition Rhetoric Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key rhetorical terms, figures of speech, and syntactical devices for AP Literature & Composition.

[loh-gos,-gohs, log-os] 

Logos

Noun

The appeal to reason, to the forcefulness of a well-thought-out and well-structured position; refers to the internal consistency and clarity of the message and to the logic of its reasons and support.

pathos

The use of emotion in debate or argument; an appeal to an audience’s imaginative sympathies.

ethos

The appeal to credibility that a speaker or writer brings to the subject (which can be a function of the writer's reputation for honesty and expertise), often conveyed through tone, style, care in considering alternative views, and investment in the claim.

anadiplosis

Repetition of a prominent last word of one phrase or sentence at the beginning of the next (e.g., "Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering").

anaphora

Repetition of a word or expression at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses, especially for rhetorical or poetic effect (e.g., "No right, no wrong, no rules for me!").

chiasmus

A figure of speech in which words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order, in the same or a modified form (e.g., "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country").

diacope

A rhetorical device where a word or phrase is repeated after a brief interruption (e.g., "Bond. James Bond" or "Run, Toto—run!").

double epithet

Two words of identical or almost identical meaning joined by a conjunction, with the chief effect being richness or plentitude of style (e.g., "foul and pestilent," "wisdom and knowledge").

epistrophe

Repetition of a word or expression at the end of successive phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses, especially for rhetorical or poetic effect (e.g., Abraham Lincoln's "of the people, by the people, for the people").

epizeuxis

Repeating a word immediately in the same context (e.g., "simplify, simplify" or "The horror! The horror!").

isocolon

A figure of speech focusing on similarity and difference, in which at least two clauses or sentences are grammatically parallel or structurally the same (e.g., "Roses are red. Violets are blue.").

metonymy

The use of something closely related for the thing actually meant (e.g., "The White House was planning to attack the British Crown with the support of Wall Street").

parallelism

The repetition of a chosen grammatical form in successive phrases, clauses, or sentences; repeated syntactical similarities introduced for rhetorical effect.

periodic sentence

A sentence that, by leaving the completion of its main clause to the end, produces an effect of suspense (e.g., "Unable to join the others at the dance because of my sprained ankle, I went to a movie").

polyptoton

Repeated use of one word as different parts of speech, in different grammatical forms, or in a different case, inflection, or voice in the same sentence (e.g., "I have been a stranger in a strange land").

preterition

A figure of speech by which in pretending to pass over something, a summary mention of it is made or attention is called to it in order to rhetorically emphasize the suggestiveness of what is omitted.

prolepsis

Meaning "anticipation" in Greek; the rhetorical technique of using a pronoun before introducing the noun it refers to.

rhetorical question

A question not intended to require an answer.

synecdoche

A figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole (e.g., "all hands and feet").

tricolon crescens

A figure of speech comprised of three clearly defined parts, listed in ascending order of importance or size (e.g., "days, weeks, years" or "it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave").