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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. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






2. The answer to a question






3. An overused expression






4. Sound words - imitative harmony






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






6. A political comment through the use of humor






7. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






8. An inscription on a tombstone






9. Word order or organization






10. Emotional definition of a word






11. 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.)






12. Events that take place before the story begins






13. Clues that tip the reader off as to What is to come later in the work






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






15. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






16. Character whose behavior and values contrast with those of another character






17. Literary devices that enable an author to operate on levels other than the literal (simile - metaphor - etc)






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






19. The recreation of regional spoken language






20. When the reader expects a climax to occur and it doesn't happen






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






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






23. Choices a character makes in relation to an obstacle (problem)






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






25. Dictionary definition of a word






26. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






27. Direct contrast or opposite






28. Exaggeration






29. A comic imitation that ridicules the original. It can be mocking or gently humorous






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






31. Direct contrast or opposite






32. Word choice






33. A device that enables a writer to refer to past thoughts - events - episodes






34. Sentences - or parts of a sentence with similar structure






35. Technical - specialized language






36. Literary - historical - artistic reference






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






38. An unexpected outcome






39. Same ending sounds






40. A rhetorical strategy that attacks the person rather than the idea






41. A moment of great revelation






42. Repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of consecutive lines or sentences






43. Words - phrases - ideas placed side by side for effect






44. A direct comparison






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






46. Same beginning sound






47. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






48. Form of personification - speaking to an absent or dead person or object as if it is there






49. Emotional response of the reader






50. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis