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AP English Language - Rhetorical devices

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allegory
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Terms in this set (67)
allegory
Device of using character and/or story symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. The allegorical meaning usually deals with moral truth or a generalization about human existence.
EX. In the book, "Lord Of The Flies", Piggy's glasses symbolize knowledge.
Image: allegory
alliteration
Repetition of sound, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words. Repetition can reinforce meaning, unify ideas, supply a musical sound, and/or echo the sense of the passage.
EX. Sally Sold Sea Shells by the Sea Shore.
Image: alliteration
allusion
Direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. May be historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical.
EX. "Hey! Guess who the new Newton of our school is?" - "Newton", means a genius student, alludes to a famous scientist Isaac Newton.
Image: allusion
ambiguity
Multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of word, phrase, sentence, or passage
EX. A good life depends on a liver - Liver may be an organ or simply a living person.
Image: ambiguity
analogy
A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. Can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with to pointing out its similarity to something more familiar. Analogies can also make writing more vivid, imaginative, or intellectually engaging.
EX. Just as a sword is the weapon of a warrior, a pen is the weapon of a writer.
Image: analogy
antecedent
The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.
EX. David plays football in the courtyard. All the children have gathered there.
Image: antecedent
antithesis
The opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite
EX. Good and Evil
Image: antithesis
aphorism
A terse statement of known 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.
EX. The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.
Image: aphorism
apostrophe
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. The effect may add familiarity or emotional intensity. EX. William Wordsworth addresses John Milton as he writes, "Milton, thou shouldst be living at this hour: / England hath need of thee."
Image: apostrophe
atmosphere
The emotional mood 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. Even such elements as a description of the weather can contribute to the atmosphere. Frequently atmosphere foreshadows events. Perhaps it can create a mood.
EX.
Image: atmosphere
caricature
A verbal description, the purpose of which is to exaggerate or distort, for comic effect, a person's distinctive physical features or other characteristics.
EX.
Image: caricature
clause
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. The point that you want to consider is the question of what or why the author subordinates one element to the other. You should also become aware of making effective use of subordination in your own writing.
EX. "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
Image: clause
colloquial/colloquialism
The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing. Not generally acceptable for formal writing, colloquialisms give a work a conversational, familiar tone. Colloquial expressions in writing include local or regional dialects.
EX. "Sick, dude!"
Image: colloquial/colloquialism
conceit
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.
EX. The mighty oaks are as abundant as the squirrels in the forest.
Image: conceit
connotation
The nonliteral, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning. Connotations may involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes.
EX. Childlike, Youthful, Childish, Young
Childish and childlike implies that someone is immature, but youthful infers that someone is lively and energetic.
Image: connotation

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