AP Vocabulary list 2Rhetorical 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.