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






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






3. A political comment through the use of humor






4. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






5. An unexpected outcome






6. A detail - image - or character type that occurs frequently in myth and literature - thought to appeal to the unconscious






7. Literary - historical - artistic reference






8. 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.)






9. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






10. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






11. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






12. An inscription on a tombstone






13. The recreation of regional spoken language






14. An overused expression






15. A comparison using like or as






16. Unexpected outcome in the plot






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






18. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






19. A mistake in reasoning






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






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






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






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






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






25. Same ending sounds






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






27. A formal speech praising one who has died






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






29. Events that take place before the story begins






30. A particularly clever extended metaphor






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






32. A direct comparison






33. Words that create mental pictures






34. The answer to a question






35. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






36. Word order or organization






37. Exaggeration






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






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






40. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






41. When the story begins






42. Direct contrast or opposite






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






44. The underlying message






45. The use of slang in writing






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






47. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






48. Direct contrast or opposite






49. Contrasting words placed together for effect






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