Rhetorical Devices and Choices for AP Lang Exam

Flashcards of rhetorical devices and choices for the AP Lang exam.

Rhetorical Device

A literary technique used by a writer to persuade or convey meaning, typically expressed as a noun (e.g., repetition, juxtaposition, anecdote).

Rhetorical Choice

A decision made by the writer regarding what to do in their writing, typically expressed as a verb (e.g., Repeats, Juxtaposes, Recalls).

Logos

An appeal to logic, often seen through facts, statistics, and examples.

Ethos

An appeal to credibility, often seen through personal pronouns, examples, and testimonies from experts or credible sources.

Pathos

An appeal to emotion, often seen through detail and word choice; can also be conveyed through examples.

Diction

Word choice; should be described with an adjective (e.g., somber diction, authoritative diction, patriotic diction).

Tone

The speaker's attitude toward the subject, created through word choice.

Comparison

Highlighting similarities through devices like metaphors, similes, or allusions (e.g. comparing a judicious traveler to a river).

Contrast

Highlighting meaningful differences through devices like contrast or juxtaposition, (e.g. contrasting a melting pot and a salad bowl).

Repetition

The recurrence of words or phrases to emphasize an idea; can take forms like anaphora (repetition at the beginning) or epistrophe (repetition at the end).

Anecdote

A short story or recalling of a time used within the passage to illustrate a point or connect with the audience.

Facts, Statistics, and Examples

Inclusions that help create a logical appeal.

Details

Vivid or precise descriptions, appropriate for nonfiction; word choice creates particular appeal.

Posing Questions

Speaker poses questions, and considers the audience that will analyze the meaning of the question.

Hypophora

A technique where the speaker asks a question and then answers it themselves.

Assuage

To make an unpleasant feeling less intense.

Appease

To pacify or placate someone by giving into their demands.

Elucidate

To explain or to make clear.

Engender

To cause or give rise to a specific feeling.

Underscore

To emphasize.