ap lang rhetorical/stylistic device terms

colloquialism

the use of stand or informal ties in speech or writing

antithesis

using a contrast in language to bring out a contrast in ideas

distinctio

elaborating on the definition of a word to make sure there is no misunderstanding

diction

the writer’s word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness

rhetor

the speaker who uses elements of rhetoric effectively in oral or written language

irony

the contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant. the difference between what appears to be and what actually is true. the result of saying one thing while meaning the opposite.

paradox

a statement that appears to be self contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity

prose

fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms

satire

a work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule

symbolism

generally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else

tone

the author’s attitude towards his material, the audience, or both

rhetorical question

a question in which the answer is implied

anadiplosis

the repetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the following clause. example: “fear leads to anger; anger leads to hate; hate leads to suffering” Yoda :)

syntax

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

parallelism

using the same general structure for multiple parts of a sentence, or for multiple sentences in order to link them all. this can involve, but is not limited to, repetition of a grammatical element such as a preposition or verbal phrase

hyperbole

exaggerating some part of a statement to give it emphasis or force

connotation

the nonliteral, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning

hypophora

asking a question, then proceeding to answer it

denotation

the strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color

euphemism

from the greek for “good speech,” a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept. this may be used to adhere to standards of social or political correctness or to add humor or ironic understatement

epiphora/epistrophe

the repetition of the same word(s) at the end of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences. places emphasis on the last word in a phrase or sentence.

anaphora

the opposite of epistrophe, in which the same word(s) is repeated at the beginning of two or more lines, clauses, or sentences

loose sentence

a sentence that makes complete sense if brought t o a close before the actual ending. “We reached Edmonton / that morning / after a turbulent flight / and some exciting experiences”

periodic sentence

a sentence that makes sense only when the end of it is reached. “That morning, after a turbulent flight and some exciting experiences, we reached Edmonton.”

natural order

involves constructing a sentence so the subject comes before the predicate. “Oranges grow in California.”

inverted order

aka sentence inversion. involves constructing a sentence so the predicate comes before the subject. emphasis/rhythmic effect is created by reversing normal sentence patterns. “In California grow oranges.”

juxtaposition

a poetic and rhetorical device in which normally unassociated ideas, words, or phrases are placed next to one another, creating an effect of surprise and wit

repetition

a device in which words, sounds, and ideas are used more than once for the purposes of enhancing rhythm and creating emphasis

simile

a comparison of two different things or ideas using the words like or as

metaphor

a comparison without the us of like or as; speaker states that one thing is another

personification

a kind of metaphor which give inanimate objects or abstract ideas human characteristics

understatement (meiosis)

the opposite of hyperbole. a kind of irony which deliberately represents something as much less than it really is.

oxymoron

a form of paradox which combines a pair of contrary terms into a single expression. this combination usually serves the purpose of shocking the reader into awareness, e.g., sweet sorrow, wooden nickel

pun

a play on words which are identical or similar in sound but which have sharply diverse meanings. puns may have serious as well as humorous uses

sarcasm

a type of irony in which a person appears to be praising something while he is actually insulting the thing. its purpose is to injure or hurt

apostrophe

a form of personification in which the absent or dead are spoken to as if present, and the inanimate as if animated. those are all addressed directly, e.g, The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind.

allusion

a reference to a mythological, literally, historical, or Biblical person, place, or thing.