AP Language Rhetorical Devices

The implied meaning of a term

"seriously handicap our efforts to prevent an inflationary spiral from eating up pensions”

Intellectually amusing language

“Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina” -MLK Jr.

She had an obstinate chin, a cruel mouth and small arrogant eyes.

The highways edges weren’t like picture-perfect postcards

What if I am rich, and another is poor—strong, and he is weak—elevated, and he is depraved?

Using “he” or “she” pronouns 

"though the mind here a cookie-cutter and the land were dough"

We shall pay any price, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival of liberty.

Leonardo DaVinci had a good idea or two.

Donald Trump isn't the most humble individual

All men are mortal. Socrates is a man. Therefore, Socrates is a mortal. 

"I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination."

An exaggeration of a person’s distinctive physical features for comic effect

Make no mistake, they’re the enemy, and they won’t stop until we’re all destroyed.

“an inch more of rain and this country would be paradise-- an Eden on Earth."

Having “God-like” knowledge

The tiny Christmas Elves make a mean short-bread. 

This blessed plot this earth, this realm, this England, this teeming womb of royal kings.

It takes a family; it takes teachers; it takes business people; it takes community leaders. 

From the clamor and the clangor of the bells!  

The opening of an argument where the author/speaker establishes credibility

the fact that only teams from the U.S. and Canada play in the World Series

A figure of speechusing deliberate exaggeration or overstatement

I work, and I eat, and I sing, and I play. 

He was a mountain climber, navigator, skipper, tactician, airplane pilot, and adventurer.

direct or indirect reference to something historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical

“synthetic nature” or “cruel kindness”

A brief story that is significant to the topic at hand and adds personal knowledge/experience

“such imagination as Hawthorne’s, such wisdom as Emerson’s, such poetry as Longfellow’s...”

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...”

The big sycamore by the creek was gone. The willow tangle was gone. The bluegrass was gone.

I am so thirsty I could drink the whole ocean

Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art

Ms. Klause, we agreed, was a not unclever, unattractive young woman.

“One should eat to live, not live to eat.”—Moliere

an ice-cold can of pop gorgeously beaded with condensation

Who could pretend that a history of migration has immunized the United States against bigotry?

I can resist anything but temptation. 

Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears.  

She sat there paler and whiter than anyone in the vast ocean of anxious faces about her. 

I got a new set of wheels for my birthday

The opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite in parallel structure

The people became so silent you could hear a beating heart from across the room.

By-and-by Pap got too handy with his hick'ry, and I could't stand it. I was allover withwelts.

This book cover is an example of what rhetorical device?

Targets human vices, follies, social institutions, and conventions for reform or ridicule

Implied comparison of seemingly unlike things

Parting is such sweet sorrow

Saying "pre-owned" instead of "used"

And it was dark and there was water standing in the street and no lights and windows broken.