AP English Language Vocabulary and Rhetorical Devices

Ethos

Credibility or ethical appeal.

Pathos

Appeal to emotion.

Logos

Logical appeal using facts or reasoning.

Narration

Telling a story.

Description

Using sensory details.

Exposition

Explanation or information.

Argumentation

Proving a point through reasoning.

Cause and Effect

Explains reasons and results.

Compare and Contrast

Showing similarities/differences.

Classification and Division

Sorting into categories.

Definition

Explaining a term.

Process Analysis

Steps in a process.

Metaphor

Direct comparison.

Simile

Comparison using 'like' or 'as'.

Personification

Giving human traits to nonhuman things.

Allusion

Reference to a known idea or event.

Hyperbole

Exaggeration.

Understatement

Minimizing the importance.

Irony

Opposite of what's expected.

Metonymy

Substituting a related term.

Synecdoche

Part represents whole.

Paradox

Contradictory statement that reveals a truth.

Oxymoron

Two contradictory words.

Pun

Wordplay.

Parallelism

Similar grammatical structure.

Juxtaposition

Placing contrasting ideas together.

Antithesis

Direct contrast in a parallel structure.

Anaphora

Repetition at the beginning.

Epistrophe

Repetition at the end.

Asyndeton

Omission of conjunctions.

Polysyndeton

Overuse of conjunctions.

Periodic Sentence

Main clause at the end.

Cumulative Sentence

Main clause first, followed by details.

Inversion

Reversing normal order.

Chiasmus

Reversal of structure.

Zeugma

One word applies to two others in different senses.

Concession

Acknowledging the opposing view.

Qualifier

Limits the scope.

Warrant

The assumption that connects claim to evidence.

Backing

Support for the warrant.

Assumption

An accepted belief without proof.

Connotation

Implied meaning.

Denotation

Literal meaning.

Colloquialism

Informal word/phrase.

Jargon

Specialized language.

Slang

Informal, often trendy language.

Formal Diction

Elevated, professional language.

Informal Diction

Conversational language.

Tone

Author's attitude.

Ad hominem

Attacking the person.

Straw man

Misrepresenting an argument.

Red herring

Distraction from issue.

Hasty generalization

Basing conclusion on insufficient evidence.

False dilemma

Only two options.

Slippery slope

One step leads to disaster.

Circular reasoning

Restating the claim.

Begging the question

Assuming the truth of the claim.

Post hoc

Assuming cause from order.

Non sequitur

Conclusion doesn't follow.

Bandwagon

Everyone is doing it.

Synthesis

Combining sources into argument.

Rhetorical Analysis

Analyzing author's style and strategy.