AP Latin Flashcards: Figures of speech and emphasis by word order
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
What is alliteration?
Alliteration is the repetition of the same sound or letter at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words. It creates a musical effect and can draw attention to specific phrases.
Card 1 of 10
All Flashcards (10)
What is alliteration?
Alliteration is the repetition of the same sound or letter at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words. It creates a musical effect and can draw attention to specific phrases.
Define anaphora.
Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. It is used to create emphasis, rhythm, and emotional impact.
Explain chiasmus.
Chiasmus is a rhetorical device in which two or more clauses are balanced against each other by the reversal of their structures to produce an artistic effect. An example is 'Never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you.'
How can word order inversion create emphasis?
Inversion, or anastrophe, involves reversing the normal word order of a sentence (e.g., placing the verb before the subject or an adjective after the noun). This deviation from typical syntax draws attention to the inverted phrase, highlighting its importance or creating a poetic effect.
What is a metaphor?
A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as,' stating that one thing *is* another. It creates a vivid image and deepens understanding by transferring qualities from one item to another.
Define hyperbole.
Hyperbole is the exaggeration of a statement or idea for emphasis or effect. It is not meant to be taken literally and is used to create humor, drama, or to make a point more forcefully.
What is parallelism in rhetoric?
Parallelism is the use of components in a sentence that are grammatically similar or identical in their construction, sound, meaning, or meter. It creates rhythm, clarity, and emphasis, often used in lists or series.
Explain antithesis.
Antithesis is a rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect. It often uses parallel structures to highlight the opposition, such as 'Man proposes, God disposes.'
How does juxtaposition create emphasis?
Juxtaposition is the placement of two contrasting elements side by side to highlight their differences or to create a particular effect. This close placement often emphasizes the qualities of both elements or reveals a deeper meaning.
What is an oxymoron?
An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms or ideas, often for a rhetorical effect. Examples include 'jumbo shrimp' or 'deafening silence,' which create a surprising or thought-provoking phrase.