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AP LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION. Rhetorical Terms Review Set 1 Language Devices. Synecdoche. Definition : a figure of speech that employs the use of a part for the whole, or the whole for the part Examples : Jack bought a new set of wheels .
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AP LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION Rhetorical Terms Review Set 1 Language Devices
Synecdoche Definition: a figure of speech that employs the use of a part for the whole, or the whole for the part Examples: • Jack bought a new set of wheels. • The Confederates have eyes in Lincoln's government.
Colloquial Definition: the characteristic of writing that seeks the effect of informal spoken language as distinct from formal or literary English Example: • "If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth." (The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger)
Litotes Definition: a figure of understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by a negation of the contrary or opposite Examples: • A few unannounced quizzes are not inconceivable. • I'm not forgetful that you served me well.–John Milton
Metonymy Definition: a figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated Examples: • Wall Street welcomes the reduction in interest rates. • In Shakespeare's time, the crown was anti-Catholic.
Paradox Definition: an assertion seemingly opposed to common sense because it contains a contradiction, but that may yet have some truth in it Examples: • “What a pity that youth must be wasted on the young.”—George Bernard Shaw • “I can resist anything but temptation .”— Oscar Wilde • “Great fiction is a kind of lie that tells the truth, but it's impossible to lie about lies and end up with anything besides more lies. “(Laura Miller, “Why We Haven’t Seen a Great 9/11 Novel, Salon.com, 14 Sept. 2011)
Euphemism Definition: the use of a word or phrase that is less direct, but that is also less distasteful or less offensive than another Examples: • She missed class because her grandmother passed away last week. • Many people are opposed to the government’s using enhanced interrogation techniques on prisoners.
Hyperbole Definition: an extravagant exaggeration of fact, used either for serious or comic effect Examples: • Ten thousand oceans cannot wash away my guilt. • "I have seen this river so wide it had only one bank.“—Mark Twain
Allusion Definition: a brief or casual reference to a famous person, historical event, place, or work of art Examples: • Since my elementary-school days, math has always been my Achilles heel. • "I have met my Waterloo," the mountain climber said after returning from a failed attempt to conquer Everest.
Irony Definition: an expression of something which is contrary to the intended meaning; the words say one thing but mean another Examples: • "What a beautiful day," Maxine said, opening her umbrella. • “Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;And Brutus is an honourable man.”—Marc Antony in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
Apostrophe Definition: a sudden turn from the general audience to address a specific group or person or personified abstraction absent or present Examples: • “For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel.Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him.”—Marc Antony in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar • “Death be not proud, though some have called theeMighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,”—John Donne
