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AP English Language and Composition
rhetorical terms, devices and rules to better essays
37
English
11th Grade
05/10/2011

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Term
Allegory
Definition
The device using character or story elements to symbolically respresent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. Usually dealing with moral truth or a generalization about the human existence.
Term
Alliteration
Definition
The repetition of sounds especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words. "Sandy sells sea shells". Used to reinforce ideas, unify ideas supply a musical sound etc.
Term
Allusion
Definition
A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or wrok of art.
Term
Ambiguity
Definition
The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.
Term
Analogy
Definition
A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. Can explain somethings unfamilar by associating with something more familiar.
Term
Anaphora
Definition
One of the devices of repetition, in which the same expression (eord or words) is repeated at the beginning of one or two lines, clauses or sentences. Form of parallelism.
Term
Anecdote
Definition
A short narrative detailing particulars of an interesting episode or event. Usually ones own life incident.
Term
Antecedent
Definition
The word, phrase, or clasue referred to by a pronoun. can refer back to phrase many lines ago.
Term
Aphorism
Definition
A terse statement of KNOWN authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle. (unkown, then its a folk proverb). Can be used to summarize an authors point.
Term
Apostrophe
Definition
A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personifies abstraction, such as liberty or love. Addresses something that cannot answer.
Term
Atmosphere
Definition
The emotional mood created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by setting and authors choice of objects described. Frequently foreshadows events.
Term
Clause
Definition
A grammatical unit that conatins both a subject and a verb. Independent,main, can stand alone. Dependent, subordinate, must be accompanied by an independent clause.
Term
Colloqialism
Definition
The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing. Such as a local or regional dialect.
Term
Coherence
Definition
A principle demanding that the parts of any composition be arranged so that the meaning of the whole may be immediately clear and intelligible.
Term
Conceit
Definition
A fanciful expression, uaually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.
Term
Connotation
Definition
The nonliteral, associativ e meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning.
Term
Denotation
Definition
The strict literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion.
Term
Diction
Definition
Related to style, diction refers to the writers choice of words, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness. Can compliment authors purpose.
Term
Didactic
Definition
From the Greek, didactic, literally means "teaching." Aim of teaching, instructing, esppcially on moral and ethical principles.
Term
Euphemism
Definition
From the greek meaning "good speech" euphemisms are a more agreeable substitute or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.
Term
Exposition
Definition
In essays, one of the chief types of composition, the other are argumentation, description and narration. Exposition explains something, introductory, sets tone, gives setting or introduces characters.
Term
Extended metaphor
Definition
A metaphor developed at great length, occuring frequently in or throughout a work.
Term
Figurative Language
Definition
Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.
Term
Figure of Speech
Definition
A device ised to produce figurative language. Compare dissimilar things. apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, metonymy, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche, and understatement.
Term
Generic Conventions
Definition
Describes traditions for each genre.
Term
Genre
Definition
A major literary category. Basic divisions: prose, poetry, and drama. More generally a subdivision.
Term
Homily
Definition
Literally means "sermon", but more informally can incluse any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.
Term
Hyperbole
Definition
A figure of speech using deliberate exaggerations or overstatement. Often have a comic effect and produce irony.
Term
Imagery
Definition
The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emtion, or represent abstractions. Usually related to five senses: visual, auditory, tactile, gustory, or olfactory. Animage can represent more than one thing.
Term
Inference/Infer
Definition
To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.
Term
Invective
Definition
An emotionally violentm verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.
Term
Irony/ irony
Definition
the contrast between what is explicitly stated and what is really meant, or true. Verbal, Situational and dramatic are types of irony.
Term
Loose Sentence
Definition
A type of sentence which has the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by dependent clause. more informal and relaxed.
Term
Metaphor
Definition
A figure of speech using implied comparisons of seemlingly unlike things or the subtitution of one for another.
Term
Metonymy
Definition
A term from the Greek meaning "changed label" or "substitute name". A figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.
Term
Mood
Definition
Deals with verbal units and a speakers attitude. A prevailing atmosphere or emtional aura.
Term
Narrative
Definition
The telling of a story or account of an event or series of events.
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