AP Rhetorical and Lit terms #1 Flashcards
active voice definition
subject of the sentence performs the action
active voice example + non example
Example: The cat ate the rat.
Non-example: The rat was eaten by the cat
active voice impact
Lively, concise, interesting writing.
Allusion definition
indirect reference to something the reader is supposed to be familiar with.
allusion example
I’m Juliet to your Romeo
allusion impact
enhance text by providing further meaning
anecdote definition
brief recounting of a relevant episode.
anecdote example
“remember when I fell down the stairs”
anecdote impact
effective way of persuading an audience
antecedent definition
The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun
antecedent example
The AP language exam occasionally asks for the antecedent of a given pronoun in a long, complex sentence or in a group of sentences. “If I could command the wealth of all the world by lifting my finger, I would not pay such a price for it.”
classicism
art or literature characterized by a realistic view of people and the world; sticks to traditional themes and structures
classicism example
his classicism led to his great limitations as an historian
comic relief definition
when a humorous scene is inserted into a serious story, in order to lighten the mood somewhat
comic relief example
The “gatekeeper scene” in Macbeth is an example of comic relief.
diction definition
word choice, particularly as an element of style.
colloquial definition
ordinary or familial type of conversation.
colloquial example
y’all, gonna, wanna,
colloquialism impact
to create a sense of community and society
connotation definition
the associations suggested by a word. Implied meaning rather than literal meaning
denotation meaning
the literal, explicit meaning of a word, without its connotations.
jargon definition
the diction used by a group which practices a similar profession or activity.
jargon example
lawyers speak using particular jargon, as do soccer players.
jargon impact
creates barriers to understanding
vernacular definition
1.language or dialect of a particular country 2. language or dialect of a regional clan or group 3. plain everyday speech
didactic
a term used to describe fiction, nonfiction or poetry that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.
didactic example
fables
adage definition
A folk saying with a lesson
adage example
“A rolling stone gathers no moss.”
adage impact
communicate a particular message to readers
allegory definition
A story, fictional or non fictional, in which characters, things, and events represent qualities or concepts
allegory example
Animal Farm, by George Orwell, is an allegory.
allegory impact
meant to reveal an abstraction or a truth
aphorism definition
A terse statement which expresses a general truth or moral principle
aphorism example
Ben Franklin wrote many of these in Poor Richard’s Almanac, such as “God helps them that help themselves,” and “A watched pot never boils.”
aphorism impact
can be a memorable summation of the author’s point
ellipsis definition
The deliberate omission of a word or phrase from prose done for effect by the author.
ellipsis example
“The whole day, rain, torrents of rain.”
ellipsis impact
enhancing the emotional impact of a scene or dialogue
euphemism definition
A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts
euphemism example
“Physically challenged,” in place of “crippled.”
euphemism impact
help to avoid offending others and keep the peace.
figurative language
writing that is not meant to be taken literally.
analogy
comparison of one pair of variables to a parallel set of variables.
analogy example
“America is to the world as the hippo is to the jungle.” Similes and metaphors are sometimes also analogies.
analogy impact
help students remember new information by connecting it to framework or contexts they already know.
hyperbole definition
exaggeration
hyperbole example
“My mother will kill me if I am late.”
hyperbole impact
creates an emphasis on something.
idiom definition
A common, often used expression that doesn’t make sense if you take it literally.
idiom example
“I got chewed out by my coach.”
idiom impact
enhance your communication skills
metaphor definition
Making an implied comparison, not using “like,” as,” or other such words.
metaphor example
“My feet are popsicles.”
metaphor impact
creates connection and empathy
metonymy definition
Replacing an actual word or idea, with a related word or concept.
metonymy example
“I could not understand his tongue,” means his language or his speech.
metonymy impact
creating concrete and vivid images in place of generalities
Synecdoche definition
A kind of metonymy when a whole is represented by naming one of its parts, or vice versa
synecdoche example
“The cattle rancher owned 500 head.” “Check out my new wheels.”
synecdoche impact
reinforce a deeper meaning or compel the reader to reflect on a larger viewpoint than the specific statement.
simile definition
Using words such as “like” or “as” to make a direct comparison between two very different things
simile example + non example
example:“My feet are so cold they feel like popsicles.”
non example: does she like strawberries ?
simile impact
creates a figurative comparison, and the reader is forced to think about how those two separate objects are similar.
synesthesia definition
a description involving a “crossing of the senses
synesthesia example
“I was deafened by his brightly-colored clothing.”
synesthesia impact
causes sensory crossovers, such as tasting color or feeling sounds.
personification definition
Giving human-like qualities to something that is not human.
personification example
“The tired old truck groaned as it inched up the hill.”
personification impact
provide readers with information that can help them comprehend abstract ideas.
