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






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






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






4. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






5. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






6. Exaggeration






7. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






8. Dictionary definition of a word






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






10. Sound words - imitative harmony






11. The use of slang in writing






12. A formal - often pompous - speech






13. A story that functions on the symbolic level






14. A short witty statement






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






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






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






18. Emotional response of the reader






19. Change and growth of the character






20. The answer to a question






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






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






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






24. A formal speech praising one who has died






25. A particularly clever extended metaphor






26. A political comment through the use of humor






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






28. A conclusion that can be arrived at without any observations of the world - but relies only on logical connections between ideas






29. The underlying message






30. Direct contrast or opposite






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






32. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






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






34. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






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






36. Events that take place before the story begins






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






38. Literary - historical - artistic reference






39. Words which evoke sorrow






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






41. Technical - specialized language






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






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






44. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






45. 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.)






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






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






48. Word choice






49. Time and place of a story






50. Same beginning sound