Test your basic knowledge |

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






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






3. A conclusion drawn from presented details






4. A comparison using like or as






5. The answer to a question






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






7. Where the audience knows more than the character






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






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






10. Unexpected outcome in the plot






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






12. Literary - historical - artistic reference






13. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






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






15. When the story begins






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






17. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






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






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






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






21. Change and growth of the character






22. A particularly clever extended metaphor






23. 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.)






24. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






25. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






26. A formal speech praising one who has died






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






28. Emotional definition of a word






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






30. A political comment through the use of humor






31. An inscription on a tombstone






32. Direct contrast or opposite






33. Exaggeration






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






35. Same beginning sound






36. Emotional response of the reader






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






38. The use of slang in writing






39. Word choice






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






41. Same ending sounds






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






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






44. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






45. The underlying message






46. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






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






48. Technical - specialized language






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






50. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics