AP Lang - Rhetrorical Terms

Metaphor

Describes an object or action in a way that isn't literally true, but helps explain an idea or make a comparison. It states that one thing is another thing.

Extended Metaphor

A metaphor introduced and then further developed throughout all or part of a literary work, especially a poem

Simile

Uses the words "like" or "as" to draw a comparison

Analogy

A comparison of two things to show their similarities. Sometimes the things being compared are quite similar, but other times they could be very different. Explains one thing in terms of another to highlight the ways in which they are alike.

Allusion

A figure of speech that makes a reference to a place, person, or event. This can be real or imaginary and may refer to anything, including fiction, folklore, historical events, or religious manuscripts.

Hyperbole

An overstatement characterized by exaggerated language

Understatement

When something is represented as less than what it is. The issue at hand is minimalized or made to seem less important or severe. This can be done for an ironic effect or simply to be polite.

Personification

The attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman.

Anaphora

Regular repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases or clauses. For example, "We shall fight in the trenches. We shall fight on the oceans. We shall fight in the sky."

Epistrophe

Is a stylistic device that can be defined as the repetition of phrases or words at the end of sentences.

Alliteration

The repetition of initial consonant sounds or any vowel sounds within a formal grouping, such as a poetic line or stanza, or in close proximity in prose.

Assonance

The repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds, usually in successive or proximate words.

Consonance

The repetition of two or more consonants with a change in the intervening vowels, such as pitter-patter, splish-splash, and click-clack.

Repetition

Repeating something that has already been said or written.

Diction

An author's choice of words to convey a tone or effect.

Colloquialism

Ordinary language; the vernacular. For example, depending on where in the United States you live, a sandwich is called a sub, a grinder, or a hero.

Irony

A situation or statement characterized by significant difference between what is expected or understood and what actually happens or is meant. It is frequently humorous, and can be sarcastic when using words to imply the opposite of what they normally mean.

Pun

A form of word play that exploits multiple meanings of a term, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect.

Juxtaposition

Placing of two items side by side to create a certain effect, reveal an attitude, or accomplish some other purpose.

Connotation

What is implied by a word.For example, the words sweet, salty, and lit have meanings that are quite different from their actual definitions.

Denotation

The dictionary definition of a word; the direct and specific meaning

Metonymy

A figure of speech that consists of the use of the name of one object or concept for that of another to which it is related, or of which it is a part, as "scepter" for "sovereignty".

Synecdoche

Is a figure of speech in which you use a part of something to stand for the whole thing. Ex: If your parents buy you a car and you say that you just got a new set of wheels.

Epithet

Characterizing word or phrase firmly associated with a person or thing and often used in place of an actual name, title, or the like, as "man's best friend" for "dog" or "Richard the Lionhearted".

Allegory

Narrative form in which characters and actions have meanings outside themselves; characters are symbolic and are usually personifications of abstract qualities.

Anecdote

A brief story or tale told by a character in a piece of literature.

Parallelism

Recurrent syntactical similarity where several parts of a sentence or several sentences are expressed alike to show that the ideas in the parts or sentences equal in importance. It also adds balance, rhythm, and clarity to the sentence.

Imagery

Sensory details in a work; the use of figurative language to evoke a feeling, call to mind an idea, or describe an object. It involves any or all of the five senses.

Tone

The attitude a literary work takes towards its subject and theme. It reflects the narrator's attitude.

Invective

The use of angry and insulting language in satirical writing.

Euphemism

Substitution of a milder or less direct expression for one that is harsh or blunt. For example, using "passed away" for "dead."

Paradox

A statement that seems contradictory, but is actually true.

Syntax

The way words are put together to form phrases, clauses, and sentences. It is sentence structure and how it influences the way a reader perceives a piece of writing.

Anachronism

Use of historically inaccurate details in a text; for example, depicting a 19th-century character using a computer. Some authors employ them for humorous effect, and some genres, such as science fiction or fantasy, make extensive use of this.

Aphorism

A concise statement designed to make a point or illustrate a commonly held belief. The writings of Benjamin Franklin contain many of these, such as "Early to bed and early

to rise/Make a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."

Qualifier

A restriction placed on the claim to state that it may not always be true as stated

Pedantic

Words, phrases, or general tone or attitude that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish.

Non-sequitur

A statement (such as a response) that does not follow logically from or is not clearly related to anything previously said

Royal "we"

When the word "we" is used to indicate that a speaker/writer of a higher status is trying to unite themselves with the common person.

Bandwagon "we"

When the word "we" is used to indicate that the speaker/writer is uniting themselves with the audience.

Chiasmus

Figure of speech by which the order of the terms in the first of parallel clauses is reversed in the second. "Has the Church failed mankind, or has mankind failed the Church?"-- T. S. Eliot

Satire

A literary style used to make fun of or ridicule an idea or human vice or weakness.

Litotes

Form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis and intensity. For example, "She is not a bad cook." Or "No man ever followed his genius until it misled him." Thoreau