AP Notes, Outlines, Study Guides, Vocabulary, Practice Exams and more!

AP Language-Rhetorical Analysis Terms Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
6780771121dictionword choice0
6780771122syntaxthe ordering of words in a sentence1
6780771123stylethe manner of expression2
6780771124tonethe attitude, mood, or sentiments revealed by the style; describes how the author seems to be feeling3
6780771125point of viewstance revealed by the style and tone of the writing; expresses his/her opinion on the topic4
6780771126rhetoricthe art of using language to communicate effectively5
6780771127logosa classical appeal to reason and logic6
6780771128ethosa classical appeal to the speaker's credibility7
6780771129pathosa classical appeal to the emotions, values, or desires of the audience8
6780771130figurative languagelanguage not meant to be taken literally to achieve a special effect9
6780771131imageryfigurative language used to convey a sensory perception using any or all of the five senses10
6780771132hyperboleexaggeration or overstatement11
6780771133understatementpresents facts in the way that makes them seem much less significant than they really are12
6780771134similea comparison between two unlike objects using like or as13
6780771135metaphora comparison between two unlike objects14
6780771136extended metaphora comparison between two unlike objects that lasts longer that a phrase or sentence15
6780771137symbola word that represents something other than itself16
6780771138denotationthe literal significance or dictionary definition17
6780771139connotationthe vast range of other meanings a word suggests18
6780771140oxymoroncontradiction: two contradictory terms or ideas used together; always only two words (sweet sorrow, jumbo shrimp)19
6780771141paradoxan apparent contradiction of an idea or statement but,in fact, does have a dash of truth (oxymoron on a larger scale)20
6780771142personificationa figurative device in which inanimate objects or concepts are given human qualities21
6780771143rhetorical questiona question whose answer is obvious22
6780771144bombastlanguage that is overly pompous (full of itself)23
6780771145puna play on words24
6780771146metonymywhen one term is substituted for another term with which it is closely related25
6780771147synecdochewhere a part is used to signify the whole26
6780771148themethe general idea contained in the text27
6780771149aphorisma concise, pithy statement of an opinion or general truth28
6780771150malapropismthe unintentional use of a word that resembles the word intended but had a very different meaning29
6780771151circumlocutiontalking around a subject30
6780771152euphemisman inoffensive expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or harsh31
6780771153verbal ironystating something but meaning the opposite of what is stated32
6780771154sarcasmverbal irony with the intent to injure or harm33
6780771155situational ironya situation that runs contrary to what was expected34
6780771156satireattacks human vice or folly through humor and/or ridicule35
6780771157antithesisthe placing of opposing or contrasting words or ideas within the same sentence or very close together to emphasize their disparity36
6780771158parallel structurebalanced construction in a sentence or entire work37
6780771159polysyndetonthe use of many conjunctions to slow the pace of the reader; may be used to try to create the feeling of being overwhelmed38
6780771160asyndetonconjunctions are omitted producing fast-paced rapid prose39
6780771161allusiona reference to another text or assumed knowledge of a reference; an allusion draws on the authority of the alluded work: typically literary, Biblical, historical, mythological, or current event40
6780771162conceitan elaborate comparison between two different subjects (salvation is a cage); a little more than a metaphor41
6780771163speakerwho is talking in a piece? what is his/her perspective?42
6780771164occasionwhat is the purpose for the writing?43
6780771165audienceto whom is the writer speaking?44
6780771166purposewhat is the reason for the writer communicating?45
6780771167situationthe set of circumstances surrounding a work being written46
6780771168prepositional phrasewill begin with a preposition and end with the object (in the beginning, on the deck, within the house)47
6780771169subordinate clausea dependent clause; cannot stand alone as a sentence48
6780771170declarative sentencesentence in the form of a statement49
6780771171imperative sentencesentence that expresses a request or command50
6780771172interrogative sentencesentence that asks a question51
6780771173exclamatory sentencesentence that expresses strong feelings by making an exclamation52
6780771174analogya similarity between like features of two things (the brain as a command center)53
6780771175apostrophethe direct address of something that cannot respond, usually something without a physical presence (death, thou shalt die)54
6780771176antimetaboleis the repetition of words in successive clauses, but is transposed grammatical order ("I know what I like, and I like what I know")55
6780771177anaphoraa form of regular repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases or strategically placed paragraphs56
6780771178litotesanother word for understatement57
6780771179anticlimaxan event, conclusion, statement, etc., that is far less important, powerful, or striking than expected58
6780771180alliterationrepetition of the initial consonant sound59
6780771181assonancerepetition of vowel sounds60
6780771182claima primary point being made to support an argument61
6780771183assertiona positive statement or declaration62
6780771184counterargumentcontrasting or opposing an argument63
6780771185concessionacknowledgements to objections of a proposal64
6780771186refutationpart of an argument on which a speaker or writer counters opposing points of view65
6780771187ad hominemlatin-"to the man"; any kind of fallacious argument that criticizes an idea by pointing something out about the person who holds the idea rather than directly addressing the real merit of the idea66
6780771188non sequiturlatin-"it doesn't follow"; a statement that does not relate logically to what comes before it67
6780771189cacophonous toneharsh sounding words68
6780771190euphonious tonepleasant sounding device69
6780771191syllogismrhetorical device where a major premise + minor premise= conclusion is used (all birds are animals-all parrots are birds-all parrots are animals)70

Need Help?

We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.

If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.

Need Notes?

While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!