AP Vocabulary list 2 Rhetorical Tools—words to help analyze rhetoric

Imagery In a work of literature, any detail that appeals to any of the five senses. Used to evoke a concrete sensation. Note that imagery goes beyond just the visual.

Bandwagon Argument Also known as authority of the many, this is a way of proving an argument by suggesting that the claim is valid because the majority of people, or many people, agree with the claim. “Everyone’s doing it, therefore, so should you.”

Conceit Most often a type of metaphor or simile, a conceit is an elaborate, lengthy comparison OR a comparison between two things that are startlingly unrelated.

Paralellism Also known as parallel structure, this is the repetition of words or phrases that have similar grammatical structure. Ex. “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Personification A figure of speech in which an object, animal, or abstraction is given human attributes (thoughts, feelings, actions). This is a type of metaphor.

Allusion A reference to someone or something that is known from history, religion, literature, art, politics, sports, science, or any other branch of culture. Allusion is often used to create a metaphor.

Logos Appeal A persuasive appeal to logic.

Pathos Appeal A persuasive appeal to emotions.

Ethos Appeal A persuasive appeal based on the character of the speaker/writer.