Glossary of Rhetorical Terms for AP Language Flashcards

Allegory

A narrative in which characters, places and events represent abstract ideas or moral qualities

Alliteration

The repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of closely connected words

Analogy

The comparison between 2 things that are otherwise dissimilar

Anaphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, phrases or sentences

Anecdote

A brief, revealing story used to illustrate a point or engage an audience

Antithesis

A rhetorical device that presents two directly opposite ideas in parallel construction

Cliche

A phrase, idea or plot elements that were overused it is now boring, predictable and empty of real meaning

Colloquialism

A construction or expression of language that is characteristic of ordinary or familiar conversation

Connotation

The emotional and cultural associations surrounding a word

Cumulative sentence

A loose sentence that begins with its main clause then adding modifying phrases, clauses and details afterward

Denotation

The literal or dictionary definition. It is the objective meaning, stripped of any emotional coloring

Diction

The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing

Epistrophe

A device characterized by the repetition of the same word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences

Ethos

An appeal to credibility making the audience more likely to believe their message

Euphemism

A mild or indirect term substituted for one considered harsh, blunt or offensive

Expository

A writing style that means to explain, inform or describe a topic using facts

Extended metaphor

A comparison that is developed by several lines, stanzas or an entire work, a continuous parallel explored in detail

Fallacy

A flaw in reasoning

Figurative language

The language that uses words or expressions with a meaning that is different from its literal interpretation

Hyperbole

A figure of speech that involves an exaggeration for the sake of emphasis or effect

Imagery

The language that appeals to one or more of the 5 senses

Induction

A process where a writer starts with specific details and observation and then leads the reader to a broader generalization or understanding

Invective

A form or abusive or vitriolic language used to attack an opponent or express disapproval

Irony

A figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words

Juxtaposition

The placement of two or more contrasting elements, ideas, characters, images, etc. near each other for special effect

Logos

A literary device that uses logic, facts and evidence to persuade an audience, its about appealing to the intellect, building a strong rational argument

Metaphor

A figure os speech that directly compares two unlike things WITHOUT using "like" or "as"

Parallelism

The use of similar grammatical structures to express related ideas

Pathos

The appeal of emotions to the audience

Periodic sentence

A sentence that places its main idea or independent clause at the very end

Periodic paragraph

A paragraph built using periodic sentences

Personification

A figure of speech where human qualities are given to inanimate objects or animals

Rhetoric

The use of language effectively and persuasively

Rhetorical question

A question asked for effect, rather than requiring an answer

Sarcasm

The use of irony to mock or convey contempt

Satire

The use of humor, irony or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices

Simile

A comparison between two different things using the word "like" or "as"

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language

Theme

The central idea or message of a story. Not the plot, but rather what the author is trying to convey

Thesis

A statement or claim that encapsulates the central argument of a price of writing

Tone

the authors attitude toward the subject, the audience or even themselves