AP English Language and Composition Rhetorical Strategies and Terms

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering rhetorical devices, syntax, diction, figures of speech, and MLA conventions for AP English Language and Composition.

antithesis

the opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite.

aphorism

A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle; it can be a memorable summation of the author’s point.

appeal to ethos

A technique where writers establish their credibility and demonstrate reliability to get the audience to trust their argument.

appeal to logos

A strategy where writers use logic to engage the intellect in reason, evoking a cognitive response.

appeal to pathos

A strategy where writers appeal to the emotions to touch a nerve and compel people to action.

Aristotelian Triangle

Also known as the Rhetorical Triangle, it describes the relationship between speaker, text, and reader, using the appeals of ethos, pathos, and logos.

atmosphere

The emotional mood created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by setting and choice of objects described.

caricature

A verbal description intended to exaggerate or distort a person's physical features or characteristics for comic effect.

deductive reasoning

Reaching a probable conclusion based on given premises, moving from a general rule to specifics.

exordium

The introductory part of an argument in which a speaker or writer establishes ethos and announces the subject and purpose.

generalization

Refers to large classes, concepts, groups, and emotions.

inductive reasoning

Forming a generalization from a set of specific examples, moving from specifics to a generalization.

inference/infer

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.

juxtaposition

The act of placing two or more things side by side often to compare or contrast or to create an interesting effect.

prose

A major division of genre referring to fiction and nonfiction; in prose, the printer determines line length, while in poetry the poet does.

rhetoric

From the Greek for “orator,” it describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.

style

The sum of choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, and literary devices, or the classification of authors into historical/literary groups.

syllogism

From the Greek for “reckoning together,” it is a deductive system of formal logic presenting major and minor premises that lead to a sound conclusion.

symbol/symbolism

Anything that represents itself and stands for something else, usually a concrete object representing something abstract.

natural symbols

Objects and occurrences from nature used to symbolize ideas commonly associated with them, such as dawn representing hope.

conventional symbols

Symbols invested with meaning by a group, such as a national flag or the cross.

literary symbols

Symbols found in a variety of works that are more generally recognized, often representing abstractions.

theme

The central idea or message of a work, offering insight into life.

thesis

The sentence or group of sentences in expository writing that directly expresses the author’s opinion, purpose, or position.

transition

A word or phrase that links different ideas and signals a shift from one idea to another.

verisimilitude

Having the appearance of truthfulness.

wit

Intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights, usually using terse language to make a pointed statement.

anadiplosis

Taking the last word of a sentence or phrase and repeating it near the beginning of the next sentence or phrase.

antecedent

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

appositive

A word or phrase that renames the noun right beside it.

clause

A grammatical unit containing both a subject and a verb; can be independent (stands alone) or dependent (subordinate).

epistrophe

Ending a series of lines, phrases, clauses, or sentences with the same word or words.

loose sentence/non-periodic sentence

A sentence where the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units like phrases.

parallelism

The grammatical or rhetorical framing of words or phrases to give structural similarity, often providing rhythm or emphasis.

anaphora

A sub-type of parallelism involving the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.

periodic sentence

A sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end, preceded by a phrase or clause that cannot stand alone.

repetition

The duplication of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, or grammatical pattern.

subject complement

The word or clause following a linking verb that completes the subject by renaming it or describing it.

predicate nominative

A noun or group of nouns that renames the subject and follows a linking verb.

predicate adjective

An adjective or adjective clause that follows a linking verb and modifies the subject.

subordinate clause

A word group containing a subject and verb that cannot stand alone and depends on a main clause to complete its meaning.

syntax

The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.

alliteration

The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in neighboring words.

ambiguity

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

colloquial/colloquialism

The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing to give a conversational, familiar tone.

connotation

The non-literal, associative, implied, or suggested meaning of a word.

denotation

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

diction

The writer’s word choices, especially regarding correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.

didactic

From the Greek for “teaching,” it refers to works with the primary aim of instructing moral or ethical principles.

double entendre

Ambiguity of meaning arising from language that lends itself to more than one interpretation.

euphemism

From the Greek for “good speech,” a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for an unpleasant word or concept.

invective

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

jargon

Special words associated with a specific area of knowledge or profession.

loaded language

Words with strong connotations employed specifically to evoke an emotional response.

mood

The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work, affected by setting, tone, and events.

onomatopoeia

A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words, such as buzz or hiss.

pedantic

An adjective describing language that is overly scholarly, academic, bookish, or “show-offy.”

recursive

Repeating over and over.

sarcasm

From the Greek for “to tear flesh,” it involves bitter, caustic language meant to hurt or ridicule.

semantics

The branch of linguistics studying the meaning of words, their development, connotations, and relationships.

tone

Describes the author’s attitude toward his material, the audience, or both.

analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.

apostrophe

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent/imaginary person or personified abstraction that cannot answer.

conceit

A fanciful expression, usually an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.

enthymeme

A figure of speech which bases a conclusion on the truth of its contrary.

extended metaphor

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

figurative language

Writing or speech not intended to carry literal meaning, meant to be imaginative and vivid.

figure of speech

A device used to produce figurative language, often comparing dissimilar things.

hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement; the literal Greek meaning is “overshoot.”

imagery

Sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions, involving the five senses.

irony/ironic

The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is meant; includes verbal, situational, and dramatic types.

litotes

A form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite; the opposite of hyperbole.

metaphor

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things to suggest similarity.

metonymy

From the Greek for “changed label,” a figure of speech where the name of one object is substituted for another closely associated with it.

oxymoron

From the Greek for “pointedly foolish,” a figure of speech grouping contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.

paradox

A statement that appears self-contradictory but contains some degree of truth or validity.

personification

A figure of speech endowing concepts, animals, or inanimate objects with human attributes or emotions.

synecdoche

A figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole or vice-versa.

synesthesia

When one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another, or the association of different senses in one image.

understatement

The ironic minimizing of fact, presenting something as less significant than it is; the opposite of hyperbole.

allegory

The device of using characters or story elements symbolically to represent abstractions in addition to literal meaning.

generic conventions

Traditions for each genre that help define and differentiate them.

genre

The major category into which a literary work fits, with basic divisions being prose, poetry, and drama.

homily

Literally “sermon,” it includes any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.

parody

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another for comic effect or ridicule.

rhetorical modes

The major kinds of writing including exposition, argumentation, description, and narration.

satire

A work targeting human vices and follies or social institutions for reform or ridicule, utilizing devices like irony and wit.

allusion

A direct or indirect reference to something commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, or work of art.

point of view

The perspective from which a story is told, divided into first person and third person narrators.

third person omniscient

A narrator with godlike knowledge who presents the thoughts and actions of all characters.

third person limited omniscient

A narrator who presents the thoughts and feelings of only one character and the actions of others.

et al.

Abbreviation for “and others,” used when many authors are involved.

e.g.

Latin for “exempli gratia”; for example.

i.e.

Latin for “id est”; that is (to say), or in other words.

n. pag.

MLA abbreviation for “no pagination,” used to denote when a digital scholarly journal lacks page numbers.