AP English Language Cheat Sheet: Diction, Syntax, and Rhetorical Devices

Diction (Choice of Words)

• Standard English: Formal American English used in school and business.
  • Example: 'Please submit your report.'
• Nonstandard English: Informal or grammatically 'incorrect' English.
  • Example: 'Ain’t nobody got time.'
• Dialect: Regional/social variety of English.
  • Example: 'Y’all come back now.'
• Slang: Trendy, informal words.
  • Example: 'That outfit is fire.'
• Colloquial expressions: Casual conversational words.
  • Example: 'Gonna grab food.'
• Regional terms: Local words.
  • Example: 'Pop' vs. 'Soda'.
• Technical terms / Jargon: Specialized vocabulary.
  • Example: 'Algorithm' in computer science.
• Archaisms: Old-fashioned words.
  • Example: 'Thou shalt not.'
• Obsolete diction: Words no longer used.
  • Example: 'Gramercy' for thank you.
• Pretentious diction: Overly fancy language.
  • Example: 'Partake of nourishment' = eat.

Types of Repetition

• Anaphora: Repetition at the beginning.
  • Example: 'We shall fight…'
• Epistrophe: Repetition at the end.
  • Example: '…by the people, for the people.'
• Anadiplosis: Last word repeated.
  • Example: 'Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate.'
• Conduplicatio: Key word repeated.
  • Example: 'We need strength. Strength will carry us.'
• Antimetabole: Words reversed.
  • Example: 'Ask not what your country can do…'

Types of Comparisons

• Metaphor: Direct comparison.
  • Example: 'Time is a thief.'
• Simile: Comparison using like/as.
  • Example: 'Her smile is like sunshine.'
• Synecdoche: Part for whole.
  • Example: 'All hands on deck.'
• Metonymy: Related word substitution.
  • Example: 'The crown' = monarchy.
• Allusion: Reference to something famous.
  • Example: 'He met his Waterloo.'
• Analogy: Explaining by comparing.
  • Example: 'Friendship is like a needle in a haystack.'
• Juxtaposition: Side-by-side contrast.
  • Example: 'Best of times, worst of times.'

Syntax (Sentence Structure)

• Telegraphic sentence: Very short (≤5 words).
  • Example: 'I came. I saw.'
• Cumulative sentence: Main idea first.
  • Example: 'I went to the store, buying apples…'
• Hortative sentence: Encourages.
  • Example: 'Let’s work together.'
• Imperative sentence: Command.
  • Example: 'Close the window.'
• Periodic sentence: Main idea at end.
  • Example: 'Despite the snow, the game continued.'
• Asyndeton: No conjunctions.
  • Example: 'Tall, dark, handsome.'
• Polysyndeton: Lots of conjunctions.
  • Example: 'We ran and laughed and sang.'
• Aposiopesis: Breaking off.
  • Example: 'If you do that again, I swear—'
• Inversion: Word order flipped.
  • Example: 'Strong was the force.'
• Parallelism: Balanced structure.
  • Example: 'Running, swimming, biking.'
• Chiasmus: Reversed structure.
  • Example: 'Never let a fool kiss you…'

Popular Rhetorical Devices

• Rhetorical question: Asked for effect.

  • Example: 'Isn’t it obvious?'

• Hypophora: Question + answer.

  • Example: 'What do we want? Justice!'

• Hyperbole: Exaggeration.

  • Example: 'I have a million things to do.'

• Understatement: Downplaying.

  • Example: 'It’s just a scratch.'

• Personification: Human traits to objects.

  • Example: 'The wind whispered.'

• Alliteration: Repetition of sounds.

  • Example: 'Peter Piper picked…'

• Onomatopoeia: Sound words.

  • Example: 'Buzz, bang.'

• Apostrophe: Addressing nonhuman.

  • Example: 'O death, where is thy sting?'

• Antithesis: Opposites in parallel.

  • Example: 'One small step for man…'

• Zeugma: One word, two meanings.

  • Example: 'She broke his car and his heart.'

• Irony:

  • Verbal irony: Say opposite of meaning.
  • Example: 'Nice weather!' during storm.
  • Sarcasm: Mocking irony.
  • Example: 'Wow, you’re so smart.'
  • Situational irony: Opposite outcome.
  • Example: Fire station burns.
  • Dramatic irony: Audience knows more.
  • Example: Juliet isn’t really dead.

• Argument Terms

  • Open thesis: Main idea only.
  • Example: 'Homework is harmful.'
  • Closed thesis: Main idea + reasons.
  • Example: 'Homework is harmful because…'
  • Counterargument: Opposing idea.
  • Example: 'Some say homework helps…'
  • Concession: Admitting the other side.
  • Example: 'Homework can give practice…'
  • Refutation: Arguing back.
  • Example: '…but studies show more harm than good.'

Real-world relevance and reflections

• Diction shapes tone, authority, and audience perception in writing and speaking.
  • Implications for education, professional communication, advertising, and politics.
• Awareness of rhetorical devices aids critical reading and media literacy.
  • Helps identify manipulation, bias, and persuasive strategies.
• Ethical considerations:
  • Use of elegant or forceful diction can mislead or obscure nuance.
  • Responsibility to present evidence clearly when making arguments.

Numerical references and formulas

• Numerical references: None present in this transcript.
• Formulas/Equations: None present in this transcript.