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AP English Rhetorical Terms
Useful Rhetorical Terms for AP Exam
79
English
11th Grade
05/11/2009

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Cards

Term
Ad Hominem Argument
Definition
Argument solely based on emotion
Term
Allegory
Definition
Using elements as a symbol to portray truths/generalizations
Term
Alliteration
Definition
Repetition of consonant sounds
Term
Allusion
Definition
Reference to something commonly known
Term
Ambiguity
Definition
Multiple meanins of a something
Term
Analogy
Definition
Comparison of two different things
Term
Antecendent
Definition
Word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun
Term
Antithesis
Definition
Contradiction of ideas with balanced grammar structure
Term
Aphorism
Definition
Statement of general truth
Term
Apostrophe
Definition
Addresses an absent person or personified abstraction
Term
Atmosphere
Definition
Emotional mood created by a piece
Term
Caricature
Definition
Description exaggerating distinctive features
Term
Chiasmus
Definition
Inverted parallelism with reversal of terms
Term
Clause
Definition
Contains a subject and verb
Term
Colloquialism
Definition
Slang
Term
Conceit
Definition
Fancy metaphor/analogy
Term
Connotation
Definition
Implied meaning of a word
Term
Denotation
Definition
Literal meaning of a word
Term
Diction
Definition
Words and sentences
Term
Didactic
Definition
Instruction of moral principles
Term
Euphemism
Definition
Replacing a negative word with a less negative one
Term
Extended Metaphor
Definition
Metaphor carried throughout the piece
Term
Figurative Language
Definition
Imaginitive and vivid
Term
Generic Conventions
Definition
Techniques used for each genre
Term
Genre
Definition
Literary category
Term
Homily
Definition
Serious talk
Term
Hyperbole
Definition
Exaggeration
Term
Imagery
Definition
Figuative, emotional
Term
Inference
Definition
To draw a conclusion
Term
Invective
Definition
Emotionally violent attack
Term
Irony
Definition
Contrast between what is stated and what is really meant
Term
Juxtaposition
Definition
Comparing two dissimilar objects
Term
Loose Sentence
Definition
Main idea comes first
Term
Metaphor
Definition
Comparison
Term
Metonymy
Definition
Substitute name
Term
Mood
Definition
Atmosphere, tone
Term
Narrative
Definition
Telling of a story
Term
Onomatopoeia
Definition
Natural sounds imitated by words
Term
Oxymoron
Definition
Two words placed together that are opposites
Term
Paradox
Definition
A statement taht is contradictory to itself
Term
Parody
Definition
Makes fun of something
Term
Pedantic
Definition
Bookish, general tone
Term
Periodic Sentence
Definition
Main idea is at the end of the sentence
Term
Personification
Definition
Gives human attributes to inhuman things
Term
Predicate Adjectives
Definition
Adjectives that directly follow a verb
Term
Predicate Nominative
Definition
Noun(s) that directly follow a verb
Term
Repetition
Definition
Duplication of word(s)
Term
Rhetorical Appeal (Logos)
Definition
Appeals to reasoning
Term
Rhetorical Appeal (Ethos)
Definition
Establishes speaker credibility
Term
Rhetorical Appeal (Pathos)
Definition
Appeals to emotion
Term
Rhetorical Question
Definition
Question that doesn't need an answer
Term
Sarcasm
Definition
Bitter language meant to hurt others
Term
Satire
Definition
Ridicules others
Term
Simile
Definition
Comparison using like or as
Term
Subject Complement
Definition
Phrase following a verb that completes the subject
Term
Subordinate Clause
Definition
Subject and verb without a complete thought
Term
Syllogism
Definition
Deductive reasoning
Term
Theme
Definition
General idea of a work
Term
Understatement
Definition
Minimizing statement of fact
Term
Litotes
Definition
Statement made by denying the opposite
Term
Meiosis
Definition
Refers to something as less important
Term
Wit
Definition
Humorous statement
Term
Asyndeton
Definition
Conjuctions are omitted from a list
Term
Canon
Definition
Accepted as authentic
Term
Convention
Definition
Accepted manner
Term
Deduction
Definition
Method of reasoning from general to specific
Term
Dialect
Definition
Slight variation of a language
Term
Elegy
Definition
Written piece about someone who's died, lamenting
Term
Induction
Definition
Method of reasoning moving from the specific to general
Term
Eulogy
Definition
Written piece about someone who died, praising
Term
Zeugma
Definition
A word applied to two or more nouns
Term
Jargon
Definition
Specialized language
Term
Synecdoche
Definition
Part signifies the whole
Term
Polysyndeton
Definition
Uses conjuctions in a list without commas
Term
Anaphora
Definition
Repetitio of a phrase at the beginning of sentences
Term
Inversion
Definition
Puts a modifier or verb as first in the sentence
Term
Non-sequitur
Definition
One statement doesn't logically connect to another
Term
Red Herring
Definition
An irrelevant issue that has nothing to do with the subject
Term
Straw Man
Definition
Argues a claim that is considered weak to strengthen the original argument
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