AP Lang - Rhetorical Terms to Know

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Last updated 12:16 AM on 9/23/26
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29 Terms

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allusion

A reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art

<p>A reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art</p>
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anaphora

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

<p>repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines</p>
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antecedent

the word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers

<p>the word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers</p>
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aphorism

A brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life.

<p>A brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life.</p>
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colloquialism

informal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing

<p>informal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing</p>
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connotation

an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning.

<p>an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning.</p>
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denotation

The dictionary definition of a word

<p>The dictionary definition of a word</p>
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diction

the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.

<p>the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.</p>
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euphemism

An indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant

<p>An indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant</p>
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hyperbole

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

<p>exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.</p>
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imagery

Description that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)

<p>Description that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)</p>
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irony

the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning

<p>the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning</p>
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juxtaposition

placing two elements side by side to present a comparison or contrast

<p>placing two elements side by side to present a comparison or contrast</p>
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metaphor

comparison not using like or as

<p>comparison not using like or as</p>
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oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.

<p>A figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.</p>
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parallelism

similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses

<p>similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses</p>
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paradox

A statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.

<p>A statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.</p>
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parody

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.

<p>A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.</p>
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periodic sentence

A sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end.

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personification

A figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes

<p>A figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes</p>
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ethos

credibility

<p>credibility</p>
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pathos

Appeal to emotion

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logos

an appeal based on logic or reason or common sense

<p>an appeal based on logic or reason or common sense</p>
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rhetorical question

A question asked merely for rhetorical effect and not requiring an answer

<p>A question asked merely for rhetorical effect and not requiring an answer</p>
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satire

A literary work that criticizes human misconduct and ridicules vices, stupidities, and follies.

<p>A literary work that criticizes human misconduct and ridicules vices, stupidities, and follies.</p>
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symbol

A thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract.

<p>A thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract.</p>
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syntax

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

<p>The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.</p>
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tone

Attitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character

<p>Attitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character</p>
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understatement

the presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is.

<p>the presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is.</p>