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Rhetoric Vocab

Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A detail - image - or character type that occurs frequently in myth and literature - thought to appeal to the unconscious






2. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






3. A type of pun where the use of a word modifies two or more words - but used for different meanings (On the fishing trip - he caught three trout and a cold.)






4. A story that functions on the symbolic level






5. Making something sound nicer than it is; candy-coated words






6. Statement that contradicts itself - "the more you learn the less you know"






7. A play on words that are identical or similar in sounds but differ in meaning






8. Words which evoke sorrow






9. A part is used to represent the whole (crown=king)






10. Unexpected outcome in the plot






11. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






12. A numbered list






13. Reaching for the sublime - the tone results in the absurd






14. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






15. Exaggeration






16. Attitude the narrator wants the reader to take toward a setting - character - or idea






17. The use of slang in writing






18. A form of logic that moves from the general to the specific






19. The underlying message






20. A particularly clever extended metaphor






21. A conclusion drawn from presented details






22. A form a logic that moves from the specific to the general






23. Sound words - imitative harmony






24. A statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is reversed ('Susan walked - and in rushed Mary.')






25. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






26. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






27. When the story begins






28. Change and growth of the character






29. Where the audience knows more than the character






30. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






31. A form of personification - only it is not a character in the story






32. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






33. Events that take place before the story begins






34. Word choice






35. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






36. Same ending sounds






37. A mistake in reasoning






38. Contrasting words placed together for effect






39. Literary - historical - artistic reference






40. An inference that does not follow logically from the premise (literally - does not follow)






41. Point of understanding or awakening (not necessarily emotional)






42. An inscription on a tombstone






43. Ashort account of an interesting or humorous incident - intended to illustrate or support some point






44. Same beginning sound






45. The recreation of regional spoken language






46. Making a situation seem less important or serious than it is






47. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






48. Type of irony in which a person seems to be praising something but actually insulting






49. A formal argument that consists of a major premise - a minor one - and a conclusion






50. Direct contrast or opposite