15 Must Know Rhetorical Terms for AP English

The repetition of the same initial consonants of words or of stressed syllables in any sequence of neighboring words

• alliteration

• allusion

• analogy

• antithesis

• consonance

An indirect or passing reference to an event, person, place, or artistic work

• alliteration

• antithesis

• analogy

• consonance

• allusion

Comparing two things or instances in time often based on their structure and used to explain a complex idea in simpler terms

• alliteration

• analogy

• allusion

• antithesis

• consonance

Repetition of consonant sounds two or more times in short succession within a sentence or phrase

• alliteration

• antithesis

• consonance

• analogy

• allusion

A device used to create contrast by placing two parallel but opposite ideas in a sentence

• alliteration

• consonance

• analogy

• allusion

• antithesis

Refers to the author’s word choice

• diction

• ellipsis

• imagery

• hyperbole

• ethos

When one or more words are omitted from a sentence

• diction

• ellipsis

• ethos

• hyperbole

• imagery

A characteristic spirit of a given culture, era, or community or its beliefs; is a label used to identify an appeal to the moral principles of a culture or individual

• ellipsis

• diction

• ethos

• imagery

• hyperbole

An intentionally exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally but creating a desired humorous effect

• diction

• ellipsis

• ethos

• hyperbole

• imagery

Visually descriptive or figurative language used to characterize objects by appealing to the physical senses

• ellipsis

• diction

• imagery

• hyperbole

• ethos