AP Lang - Rhetorical Devices: 1-20

ad homenim

latin for “to the man”; a logical fallacy that refers to the specific diversionary tactic of switching the argument from the issue at hand to the character of the (other) speaker. 

1. Ex. “I heard you cheated on your test.” “Well, I heard you cheated on your wife”

ad populum (bandwagon appeal)

logical fallacy that occurs when evidence boils down to everyone's doing it, so you should, too. 

1. Ex. [Politician] has high polling numbers, so you should vote for them

alliteration

repetition of consonant sounds (generally at the beginning of sentence). It’s identified by the sound, not the letter

allusion

a reference to literature: historical, greek/roman mythology, biblical, pop culture, works of art

1. Ex. It was raining so hard I thought I needed to build and arc (Biblical allusion to Noah’s Arc)

analogy

a comparison between two seemingly dissimilar things. Often uses something simple or familiar to explain something that is unfamiliar or complex.

anaphora

a type of repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences.

1. Ex. “I Have a Dream” Speech

concession

an acknowledgement that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable

counter argument

an opposing argument to the one a writer is putting forward (not just “you’re wrong” ) → anticipating what the opponent will say back to strengthen your argument

anecdote

 a short story meant to have an effect. A brief story used to illustrate  a point or claim. Only if it has detail. It can't just be a memory, it needs to have a point

closed thesis

scripted; a statement of the main idea of the argument that also previews the main points the writer intends to make 

1. Gives you a purpose, leaves the reader wondering(?)

connotation

connections people make to a word. Meanings or associations that readers have with a word beyond its dictionary definition. (positive or negative). Effects authors tone

1. Ex. house vs. home → a house is a structure where people live, a home is comfort and love.

ethos

greek for “character.” Speakers appeal to ethos to demonstrate that they are credible and trustworthy to speak on a given topic. Established by both who you are and what you say

pathos

greek for “suffering” or “experience”; speakers appeal to pathos to emotionally motivate their audience → play on audience’s values, desires, hopes, but also fears, and prejudices

logos

greek for “embodied thought;” Speakers appeal to logos or reason by offering clear rational ideas and using specific details, examples,  facts, statistics , and expert testimony to back them up

hyperbole

deliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or to produce a comic or ironic effect, an overstatement to make  a point

understatement

a figure of speech in which something is presented as less important, dire, urgent, good, etc. then it actually is. Often also for comic or satiric effect.