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AP Language Rhetorical Terms Flashcards

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11383991388chiasmusA figure of speech in which two successive phrases or clauses are parallel in syntax, but reverse the order of the analogous words.0
11383991389chiasmusEx. "The land was ours before we were the land's" - Robert Frost (N, V, Pro: Pro, V, N) "Pleasure's a sin, and sometimes sin's a pleasure" - Lord Byron1
11383991390colloquialismThe use of slang or informalities in speech or writing. Not generally acceptable for formal writing2
11383991391coherenceA principle demanding that the parts of any composition be arranged so that the meaning of the whole may be immediately clear and intelligible.3
11383991392conceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects. Displays intellectual cleverness as a result of the unusual comparison being made.4
11383991393connotationThe non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning.5
11383991394denotationthe dictionary definition of a word.6
11383991395diacoperepetition of a word or phrase after an intervening word or phrase7
11383991396diacopeEx. We will do it, I tell you; we will do it. We give thanks to Thee, O God, we give thanks (Psalm 75:1)8
11383991397didacticGreek for "teaching".9
11383991398enumerationFigure of amplification in which a subject is divided into constituent parts or details, and may include a listing of causes, effects, problems, solutions, conditions, and consequences; the listing or detailing of the parts of something.10
11383991399enumerationEx. I love her eyes, her hair, her nose, her cheeks, her lips. " "Who's gonna turn down a Junior Mint? It's chocolate; it's peppermint; it's delicious. . . It's very refreshing!" - Kramer (Seinfeld).11
11383991400expletiveFigure of emphasis in which a single word or short phrase, usually interrupting normal speech, is used to lend emphasis to the words on either side12
11383991401expletiveEx. In fact, of course, to be sure, indeed, I suppose, I hope, you know, you see, clearly, in any event, in effect, certainly, remarkably.13
11383991402euphemismGreek for "good speech". A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept14
11383991403euphemismEx: "He passed away" instead of "He's dead"15
11383991404expositionone of the four chief types of composition with the purpose of explaining something16
11383991405extended metaphora comparison developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout the work17
11383991406figure(s) of speechEx: hyperbole, metaphor, metonymy, oxymoron, synecdoche, simile18
11383991407genreany major category of literature19
11383991408homilyliterally means "sermon," but more informally can include an serious sermon, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice20
11383991409clauseA grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb.21
11383991410dictionA writer's or speaker's choice of words22
11383991411descriptionOne of the four modes of discourse in which the author/speaker appeals to the five senses23
11383991412eruditeScholarly, learned, bookish, pedantic tone24
11383991413epistrophethe repetition of a word at the end of successive clauses or sentences25
11383991414epistropheEX: Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address: "...and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."26
11383991415inferenceTo draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.27
11383991416invectivean emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attach using strong, abusive language28
11383991417ironyThe difference between what appears to be and what actually is true.29
11383991418juxtapositionWhen two words, phrases, images, ideas are placed close together or side by side for comparison or contrast.30
11383991419litotesFrom the Greek word "simple" or "plain." It's a figure of thought in which a point is affirmed by negating its opposite, an understatement where the surface denial serves, through ironic contrast, to reinforce the underlying assertion31
11383991420litotesEx: He's no fool.32
11383991421loose sentencea type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by independent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses.33
11383991422metaphorA figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity.34
11383991423metonymyA term from the Greek meaning "changed label" or "substitute name."35
11383991424metonymyEx: A news release that claims, "the White House declared" rather that "the President declared"36
11383991425narrativethe telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events37
11383991426onomatopoeiaa figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words38
11383991427onomatopoeiaExs: his, buzz, hum, crack39
11383991428oxymoronFrom the Greek for "pointedly foolish"; a figure of speech where the author groups apparently contradictory terms40
11383991429oxymoronEx: jumbo shrimp41
11383991430genreany major category of literature42
11383991431hyperboleexaggeration43
11383991432hypophoraFigure of reasoning in which one or more questions is/are asked and then answered, often at length, by one and the same speaker44
11383991433hypophoraEx. "When the enemy struck on that June day of 1950, what did America do? It did what it always has done in all its times of peril. It appealed to the heroism of its youth." - Dwight D. Eisenhower45
11383991434imageryThe sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.46
11383991435meiosisa combination of understatement and euphemism; a figure of speech which euphemistically refers to something, thereby lessening its significance47
11383991436meiosisEx: calling the violence in Northern Ireland "The Troubles."48
11383991437symbolAnything that represents itself and stands for something else49
11383991438synecdocheA type of metaphor in which the part stands for the whole or the whole for a part50
11383991439synecdocheEx. Farmer Joe has two hundred head of cattle , and three hired hands. If we had some wheels, I'd put on my best threads and ask for Jane's hand in marriage.51
11383991440syntaxThe way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.52
11383991441themeThe central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life.53
11383991442thesisA sentence that expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or position.54
11383991443toneThe writer/speaker's attitude toward his the text, the audience, or both.55
11383991444transitionA word or phrase that links different ideas.56
11383991445understatementThe ironic minimizing of fact57
11383991446witIntellectually amazing language that surprises and delights58
11383991447periodic sentenceA sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end.59
11383991448periodic sentenceFor example: "Ecstatic with my AP score, I let out a loud, joyful shout!"60
11383991449personificationA figure of speech in which the author gives concepts, animals, or inanimate objects human qualities or emotions.61
11383991450polysyndetonThe deliberate and excessive use of conjunctions in successive words or clauses.62
11383991451polysyndetonEx: "It's [football] a way of life, really, to those particular people who are a part of it. It's more than a game, and regardless of what level it's played upon, it still demands those attributes of courage and stamina and coordinated efficiency and goes even beyond that for [it] is a means - it provides a mental and physical relaxation to everybody that watches it, like yourself."63
11383991452proseOne of the major divisions of genre; refers to fiction and non-fiction64
11383991453rhetorical questionDiffers from hypophora in that it is not answered by the writer because its answer is obvious or obviously desired, and usually just a yes or no answer would suffice.65
11383991454paradoxa statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but is actually true and valid66
11383991455parallelismcomes from the Greek roots meaning "beside one another"; refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity67
11383991456parallelismEx: "It was the best of times. It was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness..."68
11383991457parodya work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule69
11383991458pedantican adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish70
11383991459personificationA figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes71
11383991460personificationEx: The delicious bread danced in my stomach.72
11383991461sarcasmFrom the Greek meaning "to tear flesh"; harsh, cutting language or tone intended to ridicule; may use irony73
11383991462satireA work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule.74
11383991463allegoryThe device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning.75
11383991464alliterationRepetition of initial consonant sounds76
11383991465allegoryEx. "Animal Farm" George Orwell77
11383991466alliterationAs in "she sells sea shells"78
11383991467allusionA direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art.79
11383991468allusionEx. "Plan ahead: it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark"80
11383991469ambiguityThe multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.81
11383991470analogyA similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them; may explain something unfamiliar by associating it with or pointing out its similarity to something more familiar.82
11383991471analogyEx. "He that voluntarily continues ignorance is guilty of all the crimes which ignorance produces, as to him that should extinguish the tapers of a lighthouse might justly be imputed the calamities of shipwrecks."83
11383991472anaphoraOne of the devices of repetition, in which the same expression (word or words) is repeated at the beginning of two or more lines, clauses, or sentences.84
11383991473anaphoraEx. "They are masters who instruct us without rod or ferule, without angry words, without clothes or money."85
11383991474antecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.86
11383991475antithesisEx: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose"87
11383991476antithesisFigure of balance in which two contrasting ideas are intentionally juxtaposed, usually through parallel structure; a contrasting of opposing ideas in adjacent phrases, clauses, or sentences.88
11383991477aphorismA statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle.89
11383991478apostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. It is an address to someone or something that cannot answer.90
11383991479apostropheEx. William Wordsworth addresses John Milton as he writes, "Milton, thou shouldst be living at this hour:/England hath need of thee."91
11383991480asyndetonConsists of omitting conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses.92
11383991481asyndetonEx. On his return he received medals, honors, treasures, titles, fame. They spent the day wondering, searching, thinking, understanding.93
11383991482atmosphereThe emotional mood created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting and partly by the author's choice of objects that are described.94

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