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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 conclusion drawn from presented details






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






3. A formal speech praising one who has died






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






5. Unexpected outcome in the plot






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






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






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






9. Word order or organization






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






11. A numbered list






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






13. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






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






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






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






17. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






18. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






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






20. Word choice






21. When the story begins






22. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






23. A mistake in reasoning






24. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






25. A story that functions on the symbolic level






26. Repetition of vowel sounds






27. Dictionary definition of a word






28. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






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






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






31. An unexpected outcome






32. The use of slang in writing






33. A short witty statement






34. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






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






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






37. The recreation of regional spoken language






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






39. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






40. Contrasting words placed together for effect






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






42. A moment of great revelation






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






44. A comparison using like or as






45. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






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






47. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






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






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






50. A direct comparison