AP notes 21-40 Flashcards
Anaphora
in writing speech, the deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect. Anaphora, possibly the oldest literary device, has its roots in Biblical al Psalms used to emphasize certain words or phrases. Gradually Elizabethan and Romantic writers brought this device into practice.
Epistrophe
derived from a Greek word that means turning upon, which indicates the same word returns at the end of each sentence. Epistrophe is a stylistic device that can be defined as the repetition of phrases or words at the end of the clauses or sentences. It is also called epiphora. Epistrophe examples are frequently found in literary pieces, in persuasive writing and speeches.
Asyndeton
derived from the Greek word asyndeton which means unconnected. It is a stylistic device used in literature and poetry to intentionally eliminate conjunctions between the phrases and in the sentence, yet maintain the grammatical accuracy. This literary tool helps in reducing the indirect meaning of the phrase and presents it in a concise form. Asyndeton helps in speeding up the rhythm of words. Mostly this technique is employed in speech but can be used in written works. “This is the villain among you WHO DECEIVED YOU, WHO CHEATED YOU, WHO MEANT TO BETRAY YOU”
Polysyndeton
The term polysyndeton comes fro a Greek word meaning “bound together” It makes use of coordinating conjunctions like “and”, “or”, “but” and “nor” (mostly and and or) which are used to join successive words, phrases, or clauses in such a way that these conjunctions are even used where they might’ve been ommited.
Synecdoche
a literary device in which a part of something represents the whole or it may use a whole part to represent a part. Distinguishing between this and metonymy often takes some thoughtful consideration.
The word “bread” refers to food or money as in “Writing is my bread and butter” or “breadwinner”
Tone
in a written composition, is an attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience. It is something important for the reader to “sense” to determine an argument. Tone is generally conveyed through a choice of words or the written viewpoint of a writer on a particular subject.
Process Analysis
a step-by-step breakdown of the phrases of a process used to convey the details of each phase of thinking, an operation, etc. It is often used to improve understanding and also to breakdown an argument to make it more comprehensible
Syntax
a set of rules in a language. It dictates how words from different parts of speech are put together in order to convey a complete thought. In plain English, “syntax” refers to how we choose to arrange our words. The choice of those specific words is called DICTION. Thus the two are closely related in creating an argument
Provocative Diction
“diction” is our choice of words. Thus, “provocative Diction” is the purposeful choice of words serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate a provocative question that will frame a rhetorical argument.
Classification
the action or process of classifying something according to shared qualities or characteristics. This often is a strategy of argumentative response in an effort to provide the reader with structure to YOUR argument. It would be considered a support to both LOGOS and ETHOS in presenting an argument.
Understatement
For example, you win 10 million dollars in the lottery, when you tell a news reporter “ I am delighted.” You are making an understatement. Similarly, suppose a team loses to its opponents 50 to 0 in a soccer match and the captain of the team says, “we did not do well,” it is an understatement. He is trying to decrease the intensity of the loss, It is the opposite of a HYPERBOLE or OVERSTATEMENT
Colorful Diction
Diction is your conscious choice of words as a writer. It stands to reason that “colorful diction” is a very purposeful word choice that will serve sere to accentuate meaning and tone.
Counter Argument
an argument or set of reasons put forward to oppose an idea or theory developed in another argument. When writing in the argumentative mode, it is MANDATORY that the writer acknowledges the “other” side to his or her argument. It is part of the refutation of someone else claim to support your own “side” of the argument that you are making.
Claim
if somebody gives an argument to support his/her position it is called making a claim. Different reasons are usually presented to prove why a certain point should be accepted as logical. A general model is given below to explain the steps following making a claim.
Evidence
evidence is a type of literary device that appears in different categories of essays and theses in the form of paraphrase and quotations. It is presented to persuade the readers and used with powerful arguments in the texts or essays. In rhetoric, when a person makes a claim or presents an argument, he needs to present evidence in support of his claim and argument in order to establish the veracity and authenticity of his claim or argument
