AP Lang - Rhetorical Devices Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is alliteration?

Repetition of a consonant sound

Repetition of sounds at the beginning of a word (correct)

Pleasing sounds from a combination of words

Repetition of a vowel sound

What is assonance?

Repetition of sounds at the beginning of a word

Harsh discordance of sounds

Repetition of a vowel sound (correct)

Repetition of a consonant sound

What does consonance refer to?

Repetition of a word/phrase at the end of a sentence

Repetition of a vowel sound

Repetition of a consonant sound (correct)

Repetition of sounds at the beginning of a word

What is cacophony?

Harsh discordance of sounds (e.g., jack cut crispy carrots) Signup and view all the answers

Define euphony.

Pleasing sounds from a combination of words Signup and view all the answers

What does parallelism achieve?

Representation that ideas are of equal or higher value & importance Signup and view all the answers

What is isocolon?

Parallelism relating to equal length (syllables/word count) Signup and view all the answers

Define chiasmus.

Words are repeated in reverse order (e.g., the fire burned, burned the fire) Signup and view all the answers

What is antithesis?

Opposition or contrast of ideas/words in a balanced or parallel structure Signup and view all the answers

What is climax in literary terms?

The height of suspense; turning point in literature Signup and view all the answers

What does anticlimax mean?

An event/conclusion/statement that is less powerful than built up Signup and view all the answers

Define paraprosdokian.

A sentence/phrase in which the second half is surprising and causes one to rethink the first half Signup and view all the answers

What is anaphora?

Repetition of the first word/phrase in successive sentences Signup and view all the answers

What is epistrophe?

Repetition of a word/phrase at the end of a phrase/sentence Signup and view all the answers

Define epanalepsis.

Repetition of a word/phrase at regular intervals; a sentence starts & ends with the same word Signup and view all the answers

What is anadiplosis?

Repetition of the final words of a sentence or line at the beginning of the next Signup and view all the answers

Define commoratio.

Attempting to prove a point by repeating it several times in different ways Signup and view all the answers

What is tautology?

Repetition of a word/phrase without specific purpose/meaning; redundancy Signup and view all the answers

Define anacoluthon.

A construction involving a break in grammatical sequence Signup and view all the answers

What is anastrophe?

Inversion of typical word order Signup and view all the answers

Define parenthesis.

An aside; an explanatory part of a sentence that cannot stand on its own Signup and view all the answers

What does apposition refer to?

Two elements, normally noun phrases, placed side-by-side so that one element modifies/defines the other Signup and view all the answers

Define hysteron proteron.

A figure of speech in which what should be last comes first; an inversion of the natural order (e.g., I die! I faint! I fail!) Signup and view all the answers

What is ellipsis?

Omission of words when something is implied; can be done without an ellipsis (...) Signup and view all the answers

What does juxtaposition refer to?

Placing of contradictory things next to one another Signup and view all the answers

Define asyndeton.

Omission of conjunctions Signup and view all the answers

What is polysyndeton?

Repetition of conjunctions Signup and view all the answers

Define metaphor.

A figure of speech in which a word/phrase literally denotes one object/idea in place of another Signup and view all the answers

What is a simile?

Figure of speech comparing two items with 'like' or 'as' Signup and view all the answers

Define personification.

Giving human/living traits to non-living objects Signup and view all the answers

What is praeteritio?

To lead on by not stating the facts; drawing attention to something while pretending to pass it over Signup and view all the answers

Define apostrophe in a rhetorical context.

To address someone not present; a personified object/idea Signup and view all the answers

What is metonymy?

One word/phrase substituted for another with which it is closely associated Signup and view all the answers

Define synecdoche.

Part of something that refers to the whole; vice-versa (e.g., wheels) Signup and view all the answers

What does allusion mean?

Reference to a person/place/etc. Signup and view all the answers

Define apotheosis.

Idolizing something/someone; comparing an object to a god Signup and view all the answers

What is allegory?

Representation of abstract/spiritual meaning through concrete forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another Signup and view all the answers

Define anthimeria.

Substitution of one part of speech for another; noun --> verb (e.g., google) Signup and view all the answers

What is periphrasis?

Substitution of a descriptive word/phrase for a proper name (e.g., kleenex) Signup and view all the answers

Define euphemism.

The substitution for an expression that might offend/suggest something unpleasant to the receiver, instead of using an agreeable/less offensive expression Signup and view all the answers

What does archaism refer to?

Old word/phrase; no longer used at the time Signup and view all the answers

Define onomatopoeia.

Words that sound like what they are Signup and view all the answers

What is zeugma?

Modifies multiple words; use of a word to govern/yoke several words/phrases Signup and view all the answers

Define antanaclasis.

Repetition of a single word with different usages Signup and view all the answers

What is paranomasia?

Pun; wordplay that suggests multiple meanings; words must look/sound the same Signup and view all the answers

Define syllepsis.

Sense of a word changes; verb with two meanings; a single word that modifies 2+ words that causes a different meaning Signup and view all the answers

What is imagery?

Use of vivid or figurative language to represent objects, actions, or ideas Signup and view all the answers

Define pleonasm.

Use of more words than necessary to convey a point Signup and view all the answers

What is hyperbole?

Exaggeration Signup and view all the answers

What does litotes mean?

Double negative; an idea is expressed by the denial of its opposite Signup and view all the answers

Define irony.

Conveying a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning Signup and view all the answers

What is sarcasm?

Intentionally hurtful satiric or ironic commentary Signup and view all the answers

Define oxymoron.

Combination of contrasting words Signup and view all the answers

What is a paradox?

Statement that is apparently self-contradicting or absurd but contains a possible truth Signup and view all the answers

Define synaesthesia.

Mixing of senses Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Rhetorical Devices Overview

Alliteration: Repetition of initial sounds in words, enhancing rhythm and memorability.
Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds in close proximity, contributing to a musical quality.
Consonance: Repetition of consonant sounds, especially at the end of words, creating harmony in sound.
Cacophony: A jarring combination of sounds, often used for expressive effect (e.g., "jack cut crispy carrots").
Euphony: A pleasing arrangement of sounds, creating a melodious effect in language.

Structural Devices

Parallelism: Repeating similar words, phrases, or ideas to emphasize their equal value.
Isocolon: A specific type of parallelism that features phrases or clauses of equal length.
Chiasmus: A rhetorical inversion where concepts are repeated in reverse order (e.g., "the fire burned, burned the fire").
Antithesis: Juxtaposition of opposing ideas in a balanced format to highlight contrast.

Narrative Techniques

Climax: The peak of tension or suspense in a narrative, structured for increasing importance.
Anticlimax: A disappointing conclusion that fails to meet the expectations set by the buildup of preceding events.

Wordplay and Rhetorical Tricks

Paraprosdokian: A sentence where the second half surprises the reader, prompting a reevaluation of the first half.
Anaphora: Repetitive use of a word or phrase at the beginning of consecutive sentences.
Epistrophe: Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive sentences.
Epanalepsis: Initiating and concluding a sentence with the same word or phrase for emphasis.
Anadiplosis: Repetition of the last word or phrase from one sentence at the beginning of the next.

Redundancies and Clarifications

Commoratio: Restating a point several times in different ways for reinforcement.
Tautology: Unnecessary repetition of an idea or phrase, resulting in redundancy.
Anacoluthon: A grammatical interruption or break in sentence structure that can create emphasis.

Syntax Manipulations

Anastrophe: Alteration of the typical order of words, often for poetic effect.
Parenthesis: Insertion of explanatory remarks in a sentence that adds information but is not essential.
Apposition: Placing two noun phrases next to each other where one defines the other.

Figurative Language

Hysteron Proteron: Reversing the natural order of events in a statement for dramatic effect.
Ellipsis: Omitting words that are implied in the context, creating a succinct expression.
Juxtaposition: Contrasting elements placed alongside each other to highlight differences.

Conjunctions and Relationships

Asyndeton: Omission of conjunctions for a faster pace or emphatic effect.
Polysyndeton: Intentionally overusing conjunctions to slow down the rhythm and create emphasis.

Comparisons and Symbolism

Metaphor: Directly referring to one thing as another to draw a comparison.
Simile: Comparing two different things using "like" or "as" for clarity.
Personification: Attributing human characteristics to non-human entities or abstract concepts.

Rhetorical Strategies

Praeteritio: Drawing attention to something while feigning disregard for it.
Apostrophe: Addressing a non-present person or an abstract concept directly.
Metonymy: Using a related term to represent something else, often based on a conceptual relationship.
Synecdoche: Referring to a part to represent the whole or vice versa (e.g., "wheels" for cars).

Literary References

Allusion: Indirect references to well-known figures, events, or cultural touchstones.
Apotheosis: Elevating someone or something to divine status, often through praise.

Narrative Techniques and Imagery

Allegory: A narrative that conveys abstract ideas through characters, events, and symbols.
Anthimeria: Using one part of speech in place of another to create a novel linguistic effect (e.g., using "google" as a verb).
Periphrasis: Using descriptive language in place of a proper noun for emphasis or clarity.

Tone and Emotion

Euphemism: Substituting a mild, indirect expression for a harsher or direct one.
Archaism: Utilizing outdated language that has largely fallen out of common use.
Onomatopoeia: Words that phonetically imitate the sound they refer to (e.g., "buzz").
Zeugma: A word that applies to multiple parts of a sentence, often producing varied meanings.

Stylistic Devices

Antanaclasis: Repeating a word but with different meanings in each instance.
Paranomasia: Wordplay or pun that leverages similar-sounding words for humor or emphasis.
Syllepsis: A single word governs multiple others, often creating a shift in meaning.

Descriptive Language

Imagery: Vivid descriptions that evoke sensory experiences.
Pleonasm: Using more words than necessary to convey an idea, enhancing emphasis.
Hyperbole: Deliberate exaggeration for dramatic or comedic effect.
Litotes: A form of understatement that employs double negatives for emphasis.

Irony and Contradictions

Irony: Conveying a meaning that contrasts with the literal interpretation.
Sarcasm: A form of verbal irony meant to mock or convey contempt.
Oxymoron: Pairing contradictory terms for effect.
Paradox: A seemingly self-contradictory statement that may reveal a truth upon further analysis.

Sensory Language

Synaesthesia: Blending of senses where one type of sensory experience affects another.

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Test your understanding of key rhetorical devices with these flashcards designed for AP Language and Composition. Each card features a term along with its definition to enhance your literary skills. Perfect for exam preparation and mastery of the subject!