AP/College English Language Literary and Rhetorical Devices

Hyperbole

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Metaphor

a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.

Simile

A comparison using "like" or "as"

Allusion

A reference to another work of literature, person, or event

Rhetorical Question

A question asked merely for rhetorical effect and not requiring an answer or information

Personification

Attribution of a lifelike quality to

an inanimate object or idea

Periodic Sentence

Sentence whose main clause is withheld until the end. Ex: “His confidence was broken, his limbs shaking, his collar wet with perspiration, he doubted whether he could ever again appear before an audience.” This type of sentence builds suspense for the reader and emphasizes the main clause.

Parallelism

Similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses.

Oxymoron

Paradoxical juxtaposition of words

that seem to contradict one

another.

Metonymy

Using a single feature to represent the whole.

Juxtaposition

Placement of two things closely together to emphasize comparisons or contrasts

Cumulative Sentence

Sentence that completes the main idea at the beginning of the sentence and then builds and adds on. Ex: “He doubted whether he could ever again appear before an audience, his confidence broken, his limbs shaking, his collar wet with perspiration.”

Anaphora

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

Ethos

Appeal to credibility

Pathos

Appeal to emotion

Irony

A contrast between expectation and reality

Logos

Appeal to logic

Connotation

What is implied by a word. For example, stingy and thrifty have similar definitions, but different connotations—one implies someone who is cheap, the other implies someone who is careful with money.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates vivid mental pictures.

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds

Anecdote

A brief, entertaining story about a real incident or person, often used to illustrate a point or engage the audience.

Antecedent

A word or phrase that a pronoun refers to or replaces in a sentence. Ex: Jessica lost her keys." Jessica is the antecedent for the pronoun her.

Diction

The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing, which can affect tone and clarity.

Denotation

The literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests.

Allegory

A narrative that uses characters and events to symbolize deeper moral, spiritual, or political meanings.

Idiom

A phrase or expression that has a figurative meaning different from its literal meaning, often culturally specific. Ex: “The test was a piece of cake.”

Motif

A recurring element or theme in a literary work, used to develop the central idea or message.

Mood

The emotional atmosphere or feeling that a piece of literature evokes in the reader, often created through the author's choice of words and details.

Paradox

A statement that seems contradictory but may reveal a deeper truth. For example, "less is more" suggests simplicity can enhance meaning.

Parody

A humorous or satirical imitation of a specific work, genre, or style, often exaggerating characteristics for comic effect.

Rhetoric

The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, often employing figures of speech and other compositional techniques.

Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle

A framework for analyzing the relationships between the speaker, audience, and message in effective communication. All analysis of writing is essentially an analysis of the relationships between the points on the triangle. It includes ethos (credibility), pathos (emotional appeal), and logos (logical reasoning), which are essential for persuasion.

Satire

A genre of literature and performing arts that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or mock societal norms, politics, or behaviors, often aiming for social change.

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language, affecting clarity and style.

Thesis

A statement or central argument that a writer intends to support and prove throughout a piece of writing.

Theme

The underlying message or central idea of a literary work, often reflecting on human experience and societal issues.

Tone

The general character, attitude, or mood expressed in a piece of writing, often influencing how the reader perceives the text.

Concession

A rhetorical strategy that acknowledges opposing viewpoints in order to strengthen one's own argument.

Fallacy

An error in reasoning that undermines the logic of an argument, often misleading readers or listeners.

Figurative Language

Language that uses figures of speech, such as metaphors, similes, and personification, to convey meanings beyond the literal sense.

Persona

The voice or character assumed by the author in a literary work, used to convey a specific perspective or attitude.