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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. An overused expression






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






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






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






5. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






6. Unexpected outcome in the plot






7. Word order or organization






8. Same beginning sound






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






10. A sermon or moralistic lecture






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






12. A political comment through the use of humor






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






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






15. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






16. An inscription on a tombstone






17. A numbered list






18. Contrasting words placed together for effect






19. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






20. Direct contrast or opposite






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






22. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






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






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






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






26. A formal - often pompous - speech






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






28. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






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






30. Where the audience knows more than the character






31. The answer to a question






32. A short witty statement






33. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






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






35. Words that create mental pictures






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






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






38. Words which evoke sorrow






39. 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.)






40. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






41. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






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






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






44. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






45. The use of slang in writing






46. A comparison using like or as






47. Events that take place before the story begins






48. A formal speech praising one who has died






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






50. Direct contrast or opposite