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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 comparison using like or as






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






4. Repetition of vowel sounds






5. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






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






7. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






8. Technical - specialized language






9. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






10. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






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






12. Dictionary definition of a word






13. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






14. The underlying message






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






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






17. A sermon or moralistic lecture






18. Same beginning sound






19. A formal - often pompous - speech






20. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






21. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






22. Same ending sounds






23. Events that take place before the story begins






24. Emotional response of the reader






25. Contrasting words placed together for effect






26. Sound words - imitative harmony






27. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






28. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






29. The recreation of regional spoken language






30. Words which evoke sorrow






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






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






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






34. Exaggeration






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






36. Literary - historical - artistic reference






37. A direct comparison






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






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






40. Direct contrast or opposite






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






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






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






44. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






45. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






46. Change and growth of the character






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






48. Emotional definition of a word






49. A mistake in reasoning






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