AP Language Literary Devices, Tones, and Rhetorical Modes

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering literary devices, tone words, rhetorical appeals, sentence structures, and essay modes for AP Language.

alliteration

repetition of initial consonant sounds

allusion

reference to history, myths, literature, or the Bible

analepsis

a flashback; to restore or do over

anaphora

repetition of word(s) at the beginning of clauses/phrases/sentences

anecdote

a short story, usually for emphasis or as an example

antistrophe

repetition of word(s) at the end of clauses/phrases/sentences

antithesis

opposition or contrast of ideas expressed by parallelism of words that contrast each other

apotheosize

to glorify or exalt; to raise to the heavens

assonance

repetition of vowel sounds

chiasmus (antimetabole)

writing a series of words twice, reversing the order the second time

connotation

the attitude evoked in a word beyond its literal meaning.

consonance

repetition of consonant sounds (but not at the beginning)

dichotomy

a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different

hyperbole

over-exaggeration

hypophora

a figure of speech in which a speaker poses a question and then answers it

imagery

language that appeals to the senses

litotes

affirmative idea expressed by negation of the opposite

(extended) metaphor

comparison of two unlike things that continues throughout a sentence, paragraph, stanza

metonymy

use of the name of one object or concept for that of another to which it is related

onomatopoeia

words that actually sound like the thing or action they describe

oxymoron

two words with opposite meaning combined into one phrase

paradox

self-contradictory statement that presents a truth

personification

to provide human qualities to something non-human

prolepsis

flash forward; to anticipate the future

und

a play on words

simile

a comparison that uses "like" or "as"

symbol

a thing that represents or stands for something else

synesthesia

to present ideas, characters or places in such a manner that they appeal to more than one of the five senses

voice

distinctive voice or style established by the writer

admiration

worthy of respect and high approval

ambivalent

having mixed or contradictory feelings; feeling uncertain or indecisive

antagonistic

in opposition; willing to go against

apprehensive

anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen

arrogant

overbearlingly prideful; claiming undue importance

audacious

showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.

authoritative

strong, dictatorial, official; entitled to an opinion of weight

bitter

angry, hurt, or resentful because of one's bad experiences

bombastic

loud, strong, decisive; empty of meaning

candid

truthful and straightforward; frank

condescending

adopting a superior attitude; patronizing; lowering oneself to another level

contemptuous

disdainful; scornful

dejected

feeling depressed or dispirited

distraught

extremely upset and agitated

didactic

strongly and morally upright; inclined to teach

elevated

of a high intellectual or moral standard or level

emphatic

expressing forcibly and clearly

empathetic

showing an ability to understand and share the feelings of another

facetious

treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; jocular; flippant

fanciful

showing whimsy; imaginative, dreamlike

frivolous

treating something as if it has no worth or value

galvanizing

shocked or excited into taking action

humorous

eliciting light laughter, amusement

indignant

feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived to be unfair treatment

inquisitive

unduly curious; eager for knowledge

intrigue

to arouse curiosity or interest; fascinate; mysterious or fascinating quality

melancholy

feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause; gloomy

mocking

treating with ridicule or contempt; mimicking with scorn; making fun of someone in a cruel way

nostalgic

bittersweet longing for people or things of the past

objective

uninfluenced by emotions; fair, even handed

outraged

aroused by violent acts; resentful, angry

pedantic

overly concerned with knowledge gained by books or formal rules

pious

exhibiting religious reverence

plaintive

sad and mournful

poignant

evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret; emotionally moving.

pragmatic

dealing with things sensibly and realistically

provocative

to elicit a strong reaction.

remote

emotionally removed; objective

reproachful

appointing blame; expressing disapproval

restrained

to hold back; controlled

reverent

showing deep and great respect

sarcastic

marked by or given to using irony in order to mock or convey contempt

sentimental

prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia

shock

feeling surprised or upset.

skeptical

not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations

somber

dark; serious; oppressively solemn

subjective

taking place in a person's mind; personal; based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions

sympathetic

feeling or expressing pity or consolation

tense

feelings of nerves or anxiety

vexed

mildly annoyed

volatile

tending to violence; explosive; fickle

zealous

showing great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective

claim

what a person is proving with data or information; the theory one sets out to prove

data

the evidence used to prove a theory or point of view; the facts, statistics, and information used to prove a point

warrant

the assumption or principle that connects the data to the claim

concession

presenting or accepting an argument from the other side of an issue

refutation

responding to an argument with another logical argument

pathos

an appeal to the audience’s sympathies and emotions in order to show how the argument relates to the audience

ethos

an appeal to the values of the audience in order for the speaker to come across as authoritative, credible, and of good character

logos

an appeal to the audience's sense of logic through sound reasoning and evidence

Active Voice

type of sentence in which subject performs the action

Passive Voice

type of sentence in which the subject does not perform the action

Asyndeton

sentence that lacks standard conjunctions

Polysyndeton

sentence that includes additional conjunctions

Declarative Sentence

making a statement or an assertion

Imperative Sentence

sentence designated for commands and strong requests

Exclamatory Sentence

sentence that conveys emotion or contains an interjection

Interrogative Sentence

sentence designated for asking questions

Sentence Fragment

an incomplete thought

Run-On

sentence that contains too many ideas

Simple Sentence

sentence that contains one independent clause