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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 sermon or moralistic lecture






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






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






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






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






6. A comparison using like or as






7. Direct contrast or opposite






8. The answer to a question






9. The 'unravelling' or resolution of the story - falling action






10. Change and growth of the character






11. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






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






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






14. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






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






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






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






18. A short witty statement






19. A numbered list






20. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






21. The underlying message






22. A story that functions on the symbolic level






23. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






24. A particularly clever extended metaphor






25. The use of a quotation at the beginning of the work which often hints at a theme






26. Emotional definition of a word






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






28. When the story begins






29. Time and place of a story






30. Emotional response of the reader






31. Literary - historical - artistic reference






32. Contrasting words placed together for effect






33. Repetition of vowel sounds






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






35. A conclusion drawn from presented details






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






37. Same beginning sound






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






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






40. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






41. Exaggeration






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






43. An unexpected outcome






44. Unexpected outcome in the plot






45. A story that operates on the symbolic level and teaches a lesson or moral






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






47. A mistake in reasoning






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






49. Word order or organization






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