List Of Rhetorical Choices Ap Lang

A Comprehensive List of Rhetorical Choices for AP Lang

The AP Language and Composition exam heavily emphasizes your ability to analyze and utilize rhetoric. Understanding and identifying rhetorical choices is crucial for both the multiple-choice section and the essay portions. This comprehensive guide explores a wide range of rhetorical choices, providing definitions, examples, and insights into their effective application. Mastering these will significantly enhance your analytical skills and improve your essay writing.

I. Schemes (Figurative Language Focused on Word Order & Sound):

Schemes are figures of speech that deviate from the ordinary arrangement of words. They focus on the sound and structure of language rather than the meaning of individual words.

A. Parallelism:

Definition: The grammatical similarity between parts of a sentence or between sentences themselves. It creates a sense of rhythm and balance, emphasizing the connection between ideas.

Example: "I came, I saw, I conquered." (Julius Caesar) Each clause follows the same subject-verb structure.

Effect: Creates a sense of balance, rhythm, and emphasis. Highlights the relationship between ideas.

B. Antithesis:

Definition: Juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases or clauses. It creates a powerful contrast and highlights the differences between concepts.

Example: "Give me liberty, or give me death!" (Patrick Henry) "Liberty" and "death" are stark opposites.

Effect: Creates a dramatic effect, emphasizes the contrast, and makes the argument more memorable.

C. Anaphora:

Definition: Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.

Example: "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender." (Winston Churchill)

Effect: Creates emphasis and rhythm. Builds momentum and reinforces the central idea.

D. Epistrophe:

Definition: Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences.

Example: "...and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." (Abraham Lincoln)

Effect: Creates a sense of closure and emphasis on the repeated phrase.

E. Asyndeton:

Definition: Deliberate omission of conjunctions (e.g., and, but, or) between words, phrases, or clauses.

Example: "I came, I saw, I conquered." (Note the absence of conjunctions here, also an example of parallelism.)

Effect: Creates a sense of speed and urgency. Can also suggest a lack of order or a chaotic feeling.

F. Polysyndeton:

Definition: Deliberate use of many conjunctions.

Example: "He ran and jumped and laughed and shouted."

Effect: Slows the pace, creates emphasis, and can create a feeling of overwhelming abundance or intensity.

G. Chiasmus:

Definition: A rhetorical device in which two or more clauses are balanced against each other by the reversal of their structures in order to produce an artistic effect.

Example: "By day the frolic, and the dance by night."

Effect: Creates a memorable and artistic effect, highlighting the connection between the ideas while emphasizing the contrast.

H. Zeugma:

Definition: A figure of speech in which a word, usually a verb or adjective, applies to more than one noun, blending together grammatically different but semantically related structures.

Example: "He lost his hat and his temper." "Lost" applies to both the hat and the temper, though in different ways.

II. Tropes (Figurative Language Focused on Meaning):

Tropes are figures of speech in which words are used in a way that deviates from their literal meaning. They focus on the meaning and effect of language.

A. Metaphor:

Definition: A direct comparison between two unlike things, stating one thing is another.

Example: "The world is a stage."

Effect: Creates a vivid image and makes abstract ideas more concrete.

B. Simile:

Definition: A comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as."

Example: "He is as brave as a lion."

Effect: Creates a vivid image and clarifies a comparison. Often less forceful than a metaphor.

C. Personification:

Definition: Giving human qualities to inanimate objects, animals, or abstract ideas.

Example: "The wind whispered secrets through the trees."

Effect: Creates a vivid and engaging image. Can also add emotional depth.

D. Metonymy:

Definition: Referring to something by using the name of something else closely associated with it.

Example: "The White House announced..." (referring to the U.S. President and administration).

Effect: Adds a layer of sophistication and nuance.

E. Synecdoche:

Definition: Using a part to represent the whole, or the whole to represent a part.

Example: "All hands on deck!" ("Hands" represents the sailors).

Effect: Creates a concise and memorable image.

F. Hyperbole:

Definition: Exaggeration used for emphasis or effect.

Example: "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse."

Effect: Creates humor or emphasis.

G. Litotes:

Definition: Understatement, often used ironically.

Example: "It's not the worst day ever." (implying it's a bad day).

Effect: Creates a subtle yet powerful effect, often through irony.

H. Irony:

Definition: A contrast between expectation and reality. There are various types: verbal, situational, and dramatic.

Example: A fire station burning down. (situational irony)

Effect: Creates surprise, humor, or a sense of tragedy.

I. Paradox:

Definition: A statement that seems contradictory but reveals a deeper truth.

Example: "Less is more."

Effect: Creates thought-provoking statements and highlights complex ideas.

J. Oxymoron:

Definition: A combination of contradictory terms.

Example: "Jumbo shrimp," "bittersweet."

Effect: Creates a striking image or emphasizes the complexity of an idea.

K. Apostrophe:

Definition: Directly addressing an absent person, a deity, or an abstract quality.

Example: "Oh, death, where is thy sting?"

Effect: Creates a dramatic and emotional appeal.

L. Allusion:

Definition: A brief reference to a historical, literary, or cultural figure, event, or object.

Example: "He was a real Romeo." (alluding to Shakespeare's Romeo)

Effect: Adds depth and richness to the writing by evoking shared knowledge.

M. Rhetorical Question:

Definition: A question asked not to elicit an answer but to make a point.

Example: "Is this the best you can do?"

Effect: Engages the audience and encourages them to consider the implied answer.

III. Analyzing Rhetorical Devices in Context:

Analyzing rhetorical devices is not just about identifying them; it’s about understanding their purpose within a specific text. Consider the following when analyzing:

• Audience: Who is the author trying to persuade? How does the use of rhetoric affect the audience?
• Purpose: What is the author's goal? Is it to inform, persuade, entertain, or something else?
• Context: What is the historical, social, and cultural context of the text? How does this context influence the use of rhetoric?
• Tone: What is the overall tone of the text (e.g., formal, informal, humorous, serious)? How does the rhetoric contribute to the tone?
• Effect: What is the overall effect of the rhetorical choices on the reader? How do they contribute to the author's argument or message?

IV. Putting it all Together: A Practical Example

Let’s analyze a short passage using some of these rhetorical devices:

"The war was not won by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of God. It was not won by clever strategy or superior weaponry; it was won by faith, by unwavering hope, by the quiet strength of those who believed. Their sacrifice— their tireless work, their unwavering commitment— echoed through the ages."

• Parallelism: The repetition of "It was not won by..." creates parallelism, emphasizing the contrast between worldly means and spiritual strength.
• Antithesis: "Might, nor by power" contrasts with "by the Spirit of God." This antithesis highlights the spiritual nature of victory.
• Anaphora: The repeated use of "by" reinforces the importance of the specific factors contributing to victory.
• Polysyndeton: The use of multiple conjunctions ("and," "by") creates a sense of abundance, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the effort.

By identifying and analyzing these rhetorical choices, we can understand how the author crafts a persuasive and emotionally powerful message.

V. Conclusion: Mastering Rhetorical Analysis for AP Lang Success

Mastering rhetorical analysis is essential for success on the AP Language and Composition exam. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of numerous rhetorical schemes and tropes. Remember to always analyze these devices within their context to fully appreciate their significance and impact. By practicing identification and analysis, you'll develop a strong foundation for interpreting complex texts and crafting compelling arguments of your own. Continuous practice, coupled with a deep understanding of the author's intent and the impact of the language used, will empower you to confidently navigate the complexities of rhetorical analysis. This understanding will not only improve your AP Lang score, but will also be a valuable asset in all aspects of your writing and critical thinking abilities.