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AP Lang Exam Preparation > Terms to Know! Rhetorical Devices and Sentence Structures from Online > Flashcards

Terms to Know! Rhetorical Devices and Sentence Structures from Online Flashcards

1
Q

Allegory

A

The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal

meaning. In some allegories, for example, an author may intend the characters to personify an abstraction like hope or
freedom. The allegorical meaning usually deals with moral truth or a generalization about human existence.

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2
Q

Alliteration

A

Repetition of the same sound beginning several words or syllables in sequence

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3
Q

Allusion

A

Brief and familiar reference to a person, place, or event (real or fictitious) work within another work

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4
Q

Ambiguity

A

The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.

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5
Q

Analogy

A

A comparison between two seemingly dissimilar things. Often uses something simple or familiar to explain something unfamiliar or complex.

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6
Q

Antecedent

A

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun

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7
Q

Antithesis

A

Opposition or contrast of ideas or words in a parallel construction
EX- We shall support any friend, oppose any foe

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8
Q

Aphorism

A

A terse statement of know authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle. (If the
authorship is unknown, the statement is generally considered to be a folk proverb.) An aphorism can be a
memorable summation of the author’s point.

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9
Q

Apostrophe

A

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty
or love. It is an address to someone or something that cannot answer.

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10
Q

Atmosphere

A

The emotional nod created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting and partly by the
author’s choice of objects that are described. Frequently atmosphere foreshadows events. Perhaps it can create a mood.

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11
Q

Caricature

A

a verbal description, the purpose of which is to exaggerate or distort, for comic effect, a person’s distinctive physical
features or other characteristics.

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12
Q

Clause

A

A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb. An independent, or main, clause expresses a complete
thought and can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent, or subordinate clause, cannot stand alone as a sentence and must
be accompanied by an independent clause

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13
Q

Colloquial

A

The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.

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14
Q

Conciett

A

A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar
objects. A conceit displays intellectual cleverness as a result of the unusual comparison being made.

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15
Q

Connotation

A

The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning. Connotations may involve ideas,
emotions, or attitudes.

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16
Q

Denotation

A

he strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.

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17
Q

Didactic

A

idactic words have the primary aim of teaching or instructing,
especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles.

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18
Q

Euphemism

A

more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally

unpleasant word or concept.

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19
Q

Extended Metaphor

A

A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.

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20
Q

Figurative Language

A

Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and
vivid.

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21
Q

Figure of Speech

A

A device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. Figures of speech include
apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche, and understatement.

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22
Q

Generic Conventions

A

This term describes traditions for each genre.

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23
Q

Genre

A

The major category into which a literary work fits.

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24
Q

Homily

A

This term literally means “sermon,” but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving
moral or spiritual advice.

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25
Q

Hyperbole

A

Deliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or to produce a comic or ironic effect; an overstatement to make a point

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26
Q

Imagery

A

A description of how something looks, feels, tastes, smells, or sounds. Used literally and figuratively

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27
Q

Inference

A

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.

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28
Q

Invective

A

an emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.

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29
Q

Irony

A

A figure of speech that occurs when a speaker or character says one thing, but means something else. Incongruity.

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30
Q

Litote

A

form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its
opposite. Litote is the opposite of hyperbole. Examples: “Not a bad idea,” “Not many,” “It isn’t very serious.

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31
Q

Loose/non-periodic sentence

A

A type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by
dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses. If a period were placed at the end of the independent clause,
the clause would be a complete sentence. A work containing many loose sentences often seems informal, relaxed, or
conversational.

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32
Q

Metaphor

A

Figure of speech that compares two things without using like or as

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33
Q

Metonymy

A

Figure of speech in which something is represented by another thing that is related to it or emblematic of it
EX- The pen is mightier than the sword

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34
Q

Mood

A

The feeling or atmosphere created by a text

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35
Q

Narrative

A

The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.

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36
Q

Onomatopeia

A

figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words. Simple examples include such
words as buzz, hiss, hum, crack, whinny, and murmur.

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37
Q

Oxymoron

A

A paradox made up of two seemingly contradictory words

EX- But this PEACEFUL REVOLUTION…

38
Q

Paradox

A

A statement or situation that is seemingly contradictory on the surface, but delivers an ironic truth
EX- Pinnochio’s nose grows

39
Q

Parallelism

A

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

40
Q

Parody

A

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect

41
Q

Pedantic

A

An adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish (language that
might be described as “show-offy”; using big words for the sake of using big words).

42
Q

Periodic Sentence

A

The opposite of loose sentence, a sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end. This
independent clause is preceded by a phrase or clause that cannot stand alone. The effect of a periodic sentence is to add
emphasis and structural variety.

43
Q

Personification

A

A figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by
endowing them with human attributes or emotions. Personification is used to make these abstractions, animals, or objects
appear more vivid to the reader.

44
Q

Point of View

A

In literature, the perspective from which a story is told.

45
Q

Prose

A

one of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms. In prose the printer
determines the length of the line; in poetry, the poet determines the length of the line.

46
Q

Repetition

A

The duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause,
sentence, or grammatical pattern.

47
Q

Rhetoric

A

From the Greek for “orator,” this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and
persuasively.

48
Q

Rhetorical Modes

A

This flexible term describes the variety, the conventions, and the purposes of the major kinds of writing. The
four most common rhetorical modes (often referred to as “modes of discourse”) are as follows:
(1) The purpose of exposition (or expository writing) is to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea,
relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion. The AP language exam essay questions are frequently expository
topics.
(2) The purpose of argumentation is to prove the validity of an idea, or point of view, by presenting sound reasoning,
discussion, and argument that thoroughly convince the reader. Persuasive writing is a type of argumentation having
an additional aim of urging some form of action.
(3) The purpose of description is to recreate, invent, or visually present a person, place, event or action so that the reader
can picture that being described. Sometimes an author engages all five senses in description; good descriptive
writing can be sensuous and picturesque. Descriptive writing may be straightforward and objective or highly
emotional an subjective.
(4) The purpose of narration is to tell a story or narrate an event or series of events. This writing mode frequently uses
the tools of descriptive writing.

49
Q

Sarcasm

A

sarcasm involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule
someone or something. It may use irony as a device, but not all ironic statements are sarcastic (that is, intended to
ridicule). When well done, sarcasm can be witty and insightful; when poorly done, it is simply cruel.

50
Q

Satire

A

The use of irony or sarcasm to critique society or an individual; An imitation with the intent to impose change

51
Q

Semantics

A

The branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their
connotations, and their relation to one another.

52
Q

Style

A

The manner of expression; It describes how the author uses language to get his or her point across

53
Q

Subject Complement

A

The word (with any accompanying phrases) or clause that follows a linking verb and complements, or
completes, the subject of the sentence by either (1) renaming it (the predicate nominative) or (2) describing it (the
predicate adjective).

54
Q

Subordinate Clause

A

he subordinate clause cannot stand alone; it does not express a complete
thought. Also called a dependent clause, the subordinate clause depends on a main clause (or independent clause) to
complete its meaning.

55
Q

Syllogysm

A

A logical structure that uses major and minor premise to reach a conclusion

56
Q

Symbolism

A

anything that represents itself and stands for something else

57
Q

Synedoche

A

Figure of speech that uses a part to represent a whole

58
Q

Sythensia

A

when one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another. Ex: The sight of red ants makes
you itchy. In literature, synesthesia refers to the practice of associating two or more different senses in the same image.
Red Hot Chili Peppers’ song title,“Taste the Pain,” is an example.

59
Q

Syntax

A

The arrangement of words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.

60
Q

Theme

A

The central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life. Usually theme is unstated in fictional works, but in
nonfiction, the theme may be directly state, especially in expository or argumentative writing.

61
Q

Thesis

A

In expository writing, the thesis statement is the sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author’s
opinion, purpose, meaning, or position.

62
Q

Tone

A

The speaker’s attitude toward the subject conveyed by stylistic and rhetorical choices

63
Q

Transition

A

A word or phrase that links different idea

64
Q

UNderstatement

A

A figure of speech in which something is resented as less important than it actually is. This is usually used for satirical or comical affect and is also called a litote.

65
Q

Wit

A

The use of laughter, humor, irony, and satire in confirmation or refutation of an argument

66
Q

Zeugma

A

Use of two different words in a gramatically similar way that produces different, often incongruous meanings.
Ex- When you open a book, you open your mind

67
Q

Anaphora

A

Repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines

68
Q

Anecdote

A

A brief story used to illustrate a point or claim

69
Q

Antimetabole

A

Repetition of words in reverse order

EX- Ask not what your country can do for you- ask what you can do for your country

70
Q

Asyndeton

A

Omission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses or words

71
Q

Complex Sentence

A

One independent clause and at least one other dependent clause

72
Q

Compound Sentence

A

Sentence that includes at least two independent clauses

73
Q

Cumulative Sentence

A

Completes the main idea at the beginning and then builds and adds on

74
Q

Diction

A

A speaker’s choice of words and how they affect the speaker’s message

75
Q

Hortative Sentence

A

Sentence that exhorts, urges, entreats, implores, or calls to action

76
Q

Imperative Sentence

A

USed to command or enjoin

77
Q

Juxtaposition

A

Placement of two things close together to emphasize similarities or differences

78
Q

Persona

A

The face or character a speaker assumes for the audience

79
Q

Polemic

A

An aggressive argument that attempts to establish superiority of one opinion or side. No concessions.

80
Q

Polysyndeton

A

The deliberate use of multiple conjunctions between phrases, clauses, or words

81
Q

Scheme

A

Artful Syntax; Deviation from the normal of words- Parallelism, juxtaposition, antithesis, and antimetabole

82
Q

Trope

A

Artful diction; metaphor, simile, hyperbole, metonymy, synedoche

83
Q

Bombast

A

Overly-rhetorical language

84
Q

Adage/Proverb

A

Recognizable lesson or moral statement

85
Q

Aphorism

A

Short, pithy statement of general truth

86
Q

What are two m words similar to proverb, adage, and aphorism?

A

Maxim and Motto

87
Q

Malapropism

A

The unintentional use of a word that resembles the word intended but has a very different meaning

88
Q

Circumlocution

A

“Talking around the subject”

89
Q

Lampoon

A

Sharp ridicule of the character of a person or institution

90
Q

Epiphany

A

A sudden or intuitive insight or perception into the reality or essential meaning of
something usually brought on by a simple or common occurrence or experience

91
Q

Inductive

A 
Inductive Conclusion or type of reasoning whereby observation or information about a part of a 
class is applied to the class as a whole. Contrast with deductive.
92
Q

Deductive

A

The reasoning process by which a conclusion is drawn from set of premises and contains
no more facts than these premises

AP Lang Exam Preparation (1 decks)

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