AP Lang Rhetorical Vocab

Ad hominem

A logical fallacy in which an argument is rebutted by attacking the character, motive,

or other attribute of the person making the argument, or persons associated with the argument, rather

than attacking the substance of the argument itself

Allegory

The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an

abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. Intend

the characters to personify an abstraction, for example, hope or freedom; meaning

usually deals with moral truth or a generalization about human existence.

Ex. Animal Farm by George Orwell

Alliteration

The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonants in two or more neighboring

words (as in "she sells sea shells). Although the term is not used frequently in the multiple-choice

section, you can look for this device in any essay passage. 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, or work of art. Can be historical, literary, religious, topical, or

mythical. There are many more possibilities, and a work may simultaneously use multiple layers of this device

Ex. "Plan ahead: it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark" - Richard Cushing

Ambiguity

The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence,

or passage

Analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. Can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with or pointing out its similarity to

something more familiar. Can also make writing more vivid, imaginative, or intellectually

engaging.

Anaphora

One of the devices of repetition, in which the same expression (word or

words) is repeated at the beginning of two or more lines, clauses, or sentences

Anecdote

A short narrative detailing particulars of an interesting episode or event. The term most

frequently refers to an incident in the life of a person

Antecedent

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun

Antithesis

Figure of balance in which two contrasting ideas are intentionally

juxtaposed, usually through parallel structure; a contrasting of opposing ideas in adjacent phrases,

clauses, or sentences. Creates a definite and systematic relationship between ideas

Aphorism

A terse statement of knowledge that expresses a general truth or a moral principle. (If the

authorship is unknown, the statement is generally considered to be a folk proverb.) Can

be a memorable summation of the author's point.

Apostrophe

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a

personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. It is an address to someone or something that cannot

answer. The effect is to give vent to or display intense emotion, which can no longer be held back:

Ex. William Wordsworth addresses John Milton as he writes, "Milton, thou shouldst be living at this

hour: /England hath need of thee."

Asyndeton

consists of omitting conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses.

This can give the effect of unpremeditated multiplicity, of an extemporaneous rather than a labored

account. Lists can be more emphatic than if a final conjunction were used.

Ex. On his return he received medals, honors, treasures, titles, fame

Atmosphere

The emotional mood created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by

the setting and partly by the author's choice of objects that are described. Even such elements as

description of the weather can contribute to this device

Chiasmus

a figure of speech in which two successive phrases or clauses are parallel in

syntax, but reverse the order of the analogous words

Clause

A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb. An independent, or main,

expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

Colloquial/colloquialism

The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing

Coherence

A principle demanding that the parts of any composition be arranged so that the

meaning of the whole may be immediately clear and intelligible.

Conceit

A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy

between seemingly dissimilar objects. Comparing a long relationship to a marathon—each mile a different stage of

life.

Connotation

The nonliteral, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning. may involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes. "Home" connotes warmth and safety, not just a building.

Denotation

The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or

color. "Home" = a place where one lives.

Diacope

repetition of a word or phrase after an intervening word or phrase: Bond. James Bond.

Diction

Related to style, refers to the writer's word choices, especially with regard to their

correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.

Didactic

Literally means "teaching." Works have the primary aim

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

Enumeration

Figure of amplification in which a subject is divided into constituent parts or details,

and may include a listing of causes, effects, problems, solutions, conditions, and consequences; the

listing or detailing of the parts of something. Doesn't use commas, basically when listing stuff.

Expletive

Figure of emphasis in which a single word or short phrase, usually interrupting normal

speech, is used to lend emphasis to the words on either side of the expletive. An interruption of a phrase

Euphemism

A more agreeable or less offensive

substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept

Exposition

Its purpose is to explain something; In drama, its the introductory material, which creates the tone, gives the setting, and introduces the

characters and conflict.

Extended metaphor

A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout

the work.

Figurative language

Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually

meant to be imaginative and vivid.

Genre

The major category in which a literary work fits; ex: prose

Homily

any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice

Hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement; used for comic effect; ex: this homework took a million hours

Hypophora

Figure of reasoning in which one or more questions is/are asked and then answered, often at length, by one and the same speaker; raising and responding to one's own question(s).

Imagery

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse, emotion, or represent abstractions

Inferenece/Infer

to draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented

Invective

An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language

Irony/Ironic

the contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant; the difference between what appears to be an what's actually true; types: verbal, dramatic, and situational

Juxtaposition

When two words, phrases, images, ideas are placed closed together or side-by-side for comparison or contrast

Litotes

a figure of thought in which a point is affirmed by negating its opposite; ex: he's a fool (which implies he is wise)

Metaphor

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity

Metonymy

A figure of speech in which an object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it; ex: "the White House declared" instead of "the President declared"

Mood

The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work; Indicative mood: used only for factual sentences; Subjective mood: used to express conditions contrary to fact; Imperative mood: used for commands

Narrative

The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events

Onomatopoeia

A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words; ex: BAM!

Oxymoron

A figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox; ex: jumbo shrimp

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.

Paralellism

Also referred to as parallel construction or parallel structure, this term comes from

Greek roots meaning "beside one another." It refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words,

phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity. This can involve, but is not limited to

repetition of a grammatical element such as a preposition or verbal phrase; effects are numerous, but frequently they act as an

organizing force to attract the reader's attention, add emphasis and organization, or simply provide a

musical rhythm.

Paralipis

A rhetorical device in which an idea is emphasized by the pretense that it is too obvious to

discuss. The speaker calls attention to something by saying they won't focus on it. A form of irony.

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.

Personification

A figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or

inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions; used to

make these abstractions, animals, or objects appear more vivid to the reader. Also used ironically for

effect.

Polysyndeton

Figure of addition and emphasis which intentionally employs

a series of conjunctions (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) not normally found in successive

words, phrases or clauses; the deliberate and excessive use of conjunctions in successive words or

clauses. The effect is a feeling of multiplicity, energetic enumeration, and building up - a persistence or

intensity. Ex: I laughed and talked and giggled.

Point of view

In literature, the perspective from which a story is told. Two types: omniscient and limited omniscient

Prose

One of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and non-fiction, including all its

forms.

Rhetoric

From the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of

writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.

Rhetorical Question

differs from hypophora in that it is not answered by the writer because its

answer is obvious or obviously desired, and usually just a yes or no answer would suffice. It is used for

effect, emphasis, or provocation, or for drawing a conclusive statement from the fact at hand.

Sarcasm

From the Greek word meaning "to tear flesh," 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.

Satire

A work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform

or ridicule. Regardless of whether or not the work aims to reform human behavior, it's best seen as

a style of writing rather than a purpose for writing.

Semantics

The branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and

psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another.