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Rhetorical Devices

Rhetorical devices for AP Language and Composition

Term	Definition
Allegory	a narrative in which the characters, behavior, and even the setting demonstrate multiple levels of meaning and significance
Alliteration	the sequential repetition of a similar initial sound, usually applied to consonants, usually in closely proximate stressed syllables
Allusion	a literary, historical, religious, or mythological reference
Anaphora	the regular repetition of the same words or phrases at the beginning of successive phrases or clauses.
Antithesis	the juxtaposition of a sharply contrasting ideas in balanced or parallel words, phrases, grammatical structure, or ideas
Aphorism	a concise statement designed to make a point or illustrate a commonly held belief.
Apostrophe	the act of addressing some inanimate abstraction or person that is not physically present: it often helps the speaker to be able to express his or her thoughts aloud.
Assonance	the repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds
Asyndeton	a syntactical structure in which conjunctions are omitted in a series
Attitude	the sense expressed by the time of voice or the mood of a piece of writing
Begging the question	an argumentative ploy where the arguer sidesteps the question or the conflict, evading or ignoring the real questions, similar to what politicians do.
Chiasmus	a figure of speech and generally a syntactical structure wherein the order of the terms on the first half of a parallel clause is reversed in the second.
Claim	in argumentation, an assertion of something as fact
Colloquial	a term identifying the diction of the common, ordinary folks, especially in a specific region or area.
Conceit	a comparison of two unlikely things that is drawn out within a piece of literature, in particular an extended metaphor within a poem.
Connotation	the implied, suggested, or underlying meaning of a word or phrase. It is the opposite of denotation, which is the "dictionary definition" of the word
Consonance	the repetition of two or more consonants with a change in the intervening vowels, such as pitter-patter, splish-splash, and click-clack.
Convention	an accepted manner, model, or tradition
Deductive reasoning (deduction)	the method of argument in which specific statements and conclusions are drawn from general principles; movement from general to the specific, in contrast to inductive reasoning (induction).
Diction	the specific word choice an author uses to persuade or convey tone, purpose, or effect.
Didactic	writing or speech is didactic when it has an instructive purpose or a lesson
Elegy	a poem or prose work the laments, or meditates upon the death, a person or persons. Sometimes an elegy will end with words of consolation.
Epistrophe	in rhetoric, the repetition of a phrase at the END of successive sentences.
Epitaph	writing in praise of a dead person, most often inscribed upon a headstone.
Ethos	the appeal of a text to the credibility and character of the speaker, writer, or narrator. (ETHICS)
Euphemism	an indirect, kinder, or less harsh or hurtful way of expressing unpleasant information.
Exposition	writing that explains its own meaning or purpose
Extended metaphor	a series of comparisons within a piece of writing. If they consistently involve one concept, this is also known as a conceit.
Homily	a sermon, but more contemporary uses include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual life.
Imperative sentence	a type of sentence that gives instructions, advice, or commands
Flashback	an earlier event is inserted into the normal chronology of the narration.
Genre	a type or class of literature
Hyperbole	overstatement characterised by exaggerated language, usually to make a point or draw attention.
Inductive reasoning (induction)	the method of reasoning or argument in which general statements and conclusions are drawn from specific principles; movement from the specific to the general.
Inference	a conclusion or proposition arrived at by considering facts, observations, or some other specific data.
Isocolon	parallel structure in which the parallel elements are similar not only in grammatical structure but also in length.
Jargon	specialized or technical language of a trade, profession, or similar group
Juxtaposition	the location of one thing adjacent to or juxtaposed with another to create an effect, reveal an attitude, or accomplish some other purpose
Litote	a figure of speech the emphasizes its subject by conscious understatement
Loose sentence	a long sentence that starts with its main clause, which is followed by several dependent clauses and modifying phrases
Metonymy	a figure of speech in which an attribute or commonly associated feature is used to name or designate something.
Mode of discourse	the way in which information is presented in written or spoken form
Mood	a feeling or ambience resulting from the tone of a piece as well as the writer / narrator's attitude and point of view. Its a "feeling" that establishes the atmosphere in a work of literature or other discourse.
Narrative	a mode of discourse that tells a story story of some sort. It is based on sequences of connected events, usually presented in a straightforward chronological framework.
Oxymoron	a figure of speech that combines two apparently contradictory elements
Paradox	a statement that seems contradictory but is probably true
Parallel structure	the use of similar forms in writing for nouns, verbs, phrases, or thoughts
Pathos	the element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow (EMOTION)
Periodic sentence	a long sentence in which the main clause is not completed until the end
Realism	attempting to describe nature in life without idealization and with attention to detail
Rebuttal/refutation	an argument technique wherein opposing arguments are anticipated and countered
Rhetoric	the art of using words to persuade in writing or speaking.
Rhetorical question	a question that is a simply for the sake of stylistic effect and is not expected to be answered
Sarcasm	a form of verbal irony in which apparent praise is actually critical. sarcasm can be light and gently poke fun at something, or it can be harsh, caustics, and mean.
Satire	a literary work that holds up human failings to ridicule and censure
Simile	a direct explicit comparison of one thing to another usually using the words like or as to draw the connection
Style	the manner in which a writer combines and arranges words, shapes ideas, and utilizes syntax and structure. It is the distinctive manner of expression that represents that author's typical writing style.
Symbolism	use a person, place, thing, event, or pattern that figuratively represents or "stands for" something else
Synecdoche	a figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole
Syntax	the way words are put together to form phrases, clauses, and sentences.
Theme	the central or dominant idea or focus of a work; the statement a passage makes about its subject.
Tone	the attitude the narrator/writer takes toward a subject and theme; the tenor of a piece of writing based on particular stylistic devices employed by the writer. Tone reflects the narrator/author's attitude.
Zeugma	a grammatically correct construction in which a word, usually a verb or adjective, is applied to two or more nouns without being repeated.
Logos	persuading by the use of reasoning (LOGIC)

Created by: chevyliz

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