An indirect reference to something well-known without saying it specifically. “Five score years ago” - MLK referring to Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address “Dear brothers and sisters” - Malala Yousafzai referring to the Bible He’s the Einstein of our class.

The use of familiar, conversational language which reflects specific regions, cultures or everyday interactions. Makes content more relatable and authentic. Bill Clinton’s choice of words: (Now wait a minute, let’s look at…) “Y’all” “Gonna” “Wanna”

A polite word or expression used to replace harsh, offensive terms. George Bush 9/11 Speech: “Thousands of lives were suddenly ended” (instead of killed) “Passed away” (instead of died) A boss telling an employee they are “let go” (instead of fired)

Using exaggeration to emphasize strong feelings, add intensity or create humor. “They are blasting schools everyday” - Malala Yousafzai UN Speech “I’ve told you like a million times already.” “I can eat a horse right now.”

Specialized words or phrases used by specific groups that are generally not understood by outsiders “Rugged Individualism” Herbert Hoover’s 1928 campaign speech for presidency “Air Ball” - basketball “And-one” - basketball

The placement of two opposite elements to highlight their differences “We realize the importance of light when we see darkness.” - Malala Yousafzai UN Speech “She spoke softly, while she was being heartbroken”.

Compares two unrelated things by stating one IS the other “… let us empower ourselves with the weapon of knowledge and let us shield ourselves with unity and togetherness” - Malala UN Speech Comparison is the thief of joy. Family is priceless.

Understatement/Litote

A phrase that minimizes the importance of something to create emphasis “I remember that it was not that bad, just flesh wounds, they were back at work not long after” - (The Displaced by Nguyen) “It’s raining a little bit” - during a severe flood

A question that is not meant to have an answer, or the answer is very obvious. “Ain’t I a Woman” - Sojourner Truth’s speech in the 1851 Women’s Rights Convention (challenging gender and racial inequality) “Is the sky blue?” “Is grass green?”

Comparing two different things with the words like or as. “We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream” - MLK I Have A Dream “Your friend is sneaky as a snake.”

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Rhetorical Devices

AP LANG

Term	Definition
Allusion	An indirect reference to something well-known without saying it specifically. “Five score years ago” - MLK referring to Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address “Dear brothers and sisters” - Malala Yousafzai referring to the Bible He’s the Einstein of our class.
Colloquial (Diction)	The use of familiar, conversational language which reflects specific regions, cultures or everyday interactions. Makes content more relatable and authentic. Bill Clinton’s choice of words: (Now wait a minute, let’s look at…) “Y’all” “Gonna” “Wanna”
Euphemism	A polite word or expression used to replace harsh, offensive terms. George Bush 9/11 Speech: “Thousands of lives were suddenly ended” (instead of killed) “Passed away” (instead of died) A boss telling an employee they are “let go” (instead of fired)
Hyperbole	Using exaggeration to emphasize strong feelings, add intensity or create humor. “They are blasting schools everyday” - Malala Yousafzai UN Speech “I’ve told you like a million times already.” “I can eat a horse right now.”
Jargon (Diction)	Specialized words or phrases used by specific groups that are generally not understood by outsiders “Rugged Individualism” Herbert Hoover’s 1928 campaign speech for presidency “Air Ball” - basketball “And-one” - basketball
Juxtaposition	The placement of two opposite elements to highlight their differences “We realize the importance of light when we see darkness.” - Malala Yousafzai UN Speech “She spoke softly, while she was being heartbroken”.
Metaphor	Compares two unrelated things by stating one IS the other “… let us empower ourselves with the weapon of knowledge and let us shield ourselves with unity and togetherness” - Malala UN Speech Comparison is the thief of joy. Family is priceless.
Understatement/Litote	A phrase that minimizes the importance of something to create emphasis “I remember that it was not that bad, just flesh wounds, they were back at work not long after” - (The Displaced by Nguyen) “It’s raining a little bit” - during a severe flood
Rhetorical Question	A question that is not meant to have an answer, or the answer is very obvious. “Ain’t I a Woman” - Sojourner Truth’s speech in the 1851 Women’s Rights Convention (challenging gender and racial inequality) “Is the sky blue?” “Is grass green?”
Similie	Comparing two different things with the words like or as. “We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream” - MLK I Have A Dream “Your friend is sneaky as a snake.”

Created by: mah dih

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