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AP Lang > Rhetorical Devices > Flashcards

Rhetorical Devices Flashcards

1
Q

A statement that seems contradictory, but actually makes sense upon further examination

A

Paradox

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2
Q

The repetition of the same conjunction in close succession for rhetorical effect; adding extra conjunctions in a list

A

Polysyndeton

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3
Q

Emotions of pleasure and sadness caused by remembering something from the past and wishing that you could experience it again

A

Nostalgia

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4
Q

Words that are free from any restriction or condition, implying that something is always true, or applies to everyone (or never true and applies to no one)

A

Absolute

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5
Q

A word or phrase preceded by a pound sign. Used on social media to categorize a message or to insert a thought without the need to write a full grammatical sentence.

A

hashtag

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6
Q

A symbolic comparison in which two different things are treated as if they were alike

A

Metaphor

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7
Q

Adjectives used in order to indicate an extreme or unsurpassed level of emotions, association, or hatred for something, indicating that something is the best, worst, or “most” of its kind.

A

Superlative

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8
Q

An inconsistency or discrepancy among statements being made

A

Contradiction

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9
Q

The approach an author takes when trying to create an effective, compelling argument for their intended audience.

A

Rhetorical Appeals

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10
Q

The use of language in which multiple meanings are possible; there is no single clear meaning

A

Ambiguity

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11
Q

The repetition of two or more consonants with a change in intervening vowels

A

Consonance

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12
Q

Similarity in structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses

A

Parrallelism

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13
Q

A type of writing where the purpose is to give information; to explain, inform, or describe the subject matter.

A

Exposition

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14
Q

The main statement of an essay; the statement upon which the point of view or discussion in the essay is based.

A

Thesis

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15
Q

The act or an instance of acknowledging a legitimate point of an opponent, accepting something as true, or admitting defeat

A

Concession

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16
Q

Ordinary or conversational language rather than formal speech or writing

A

Colloquialism

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17
Q

The difference between what is expected or understood and what actually happens or is meant

A

Irony

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18
Q

The use of historically inaccurate details in a text; an error of chronology or timeline.

A

Anachronism

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19
Q

A recurring subject, theme, or idea that repeats itself throughout a work

A

Motif

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20
Q

An issue, problem, or situation that causes or prompts someone to write or speak

A

Exigence

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21
Q

The repetition of initial consonant sounds within close proximity in a sentence

A

Alliteration

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22
Q

The accidental use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect

A

Malapropism

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23
Q

A figure of speech which makes brief reference to a historical or literary figure, event, or object to create a resonance in the reader or to apply a symbolic meaning to the text

A

Allusion

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24
Q

A phrase or opinion that is overused and conveys a lack of original thought

A

Cliche

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25
Q

The main idea or an underlying meaning of a work that may be stated directly or indirectly

A

Theme

26
Q

The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of consecutive clauses or sentences

A

Epistrophe

27
Q

Placing two dissimilar items side by side in order to highlight the contrast between them.

A

Juxtaposition

28
Q

A new word formed by joining two others and combining their meanings

A

Portmanteau

29
Q

A figure of speech that combines two apparently contradictory elements, as in “clearly confused.”

A

Oxymoron

30
Q

Sensory details in a work; the use of figurative language to evoke a feeling, call to mind an idea, or describe an object involving any or all of the five senses

A

Imagery

31
Q

Treating an abstraction or nonhuman object as if it were a person by giving it human qualities

A

Personification

32
Q

Using a word as a different part of speech than it’s intended, such as using a noun as a verb

A

Anthimeria

33
Q

The condition of not matching or being out of place within a defined group

A

incongruity

34
Q

The words an author chooses to use in order to achieve a desired effect

A

Diction

35
Q

A figure of speech in which an absent person, thing, or abstract quality is addressed as if present

A

Apostrophe

36
Q

The way words are put together to form phrases, clauses and sentences. It is sentence structure and how it influences the way a reader perceives a piece of writing

A

Syntax

37
Q

A genre used to make fun or criticize an idea or human vice or weakness, usually done with the intent to incite change.

A

satire

38
Q

A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing

A

Euphemism

39
Q

To say that (something) is greater or more important than it really is

A

Overstatement

40
Q

An elaborate comparison between two things that are alike in some respects for the purpose of explaining something more clearly.

A

Analogy

41
Q

A brief story told in a piece of writing, often from the writer’s personal experience, for the purpose of making a point

A

Anecdote

42
Q

An imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect

A

parody

43
Q

The implied meaning of a word, apart from its literal definition; additional meanings closely associated with a word.

A

Connotation

44
Q

The repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds, usually in successive or nearby words

A

Assonance

45
Q

A figure of speech in which the order of the terms in the first part of the sentence is reversed in the second part.

A

Chiasmus

46
Q

To count off or name one by one; to list

A

Enumeration

47
Q

A figure of speech in which two distinct things are compared by using “like” or “as.”

A

Simile

48
Q

Regular repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases or clauses

A

Anaphora

49
Q

A fake or imagined situation created in order to make a point or envision an outcome

A

Hypothetical

50
Q

Presenting something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is

A

Understatement

51
Q

The feeling or ambience resulting from the tone of a piece, its subject matter, as well as the writer’s use of language

A

Mood

52
Q

A figure of speech in which a smaller part of something is used to signify the whole thing, or vice-versa; a microcosm or macrocosm.

A

Synecdoche

53
Q

A question asked just for effect or to lay emphasis on some point discussed when no real answer is expected

A

rhetorical questions

53
Q

The dictionary definition of a word; the literal meaning

A

Denotation

54
Q

The direct opposite; in opposition to a previously stated argument

A

Antithesis

55
Q

The attitude a work takes towards its subject and theme which reflects the writer’s attitude

A

Tone

56
Q

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally but used for the sake of emphasis

A

Hyperbole

57
Q

The practice of omitting conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses in a list for the purpose of adding emphasis to each item in the list

A

Asyndeton

58
Q

The term use to describe specific forms of writing; categories

A

Genre

59
Q

Appeal to timing; the opportune time to say or do a particular thing

A

Kairos

AP Lang (3 decks)

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