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






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






3. A direct comparison






4. Same beginning sound






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






6. A political comment through the use of humor






7. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






8. Where the audience knows more than the character






9. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






10. Word choice






11. Literary - historical - artistic reference






12. An unexpected outcome






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






14. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






15. Words which evoke sorrow






16. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






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






18. Dictionary definition of a word






19. A numbered list






20. A formal - often pompous - speech






21. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






22. A conclusion drawn from presented details






23. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






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






25. The recreation of regional spoken language






26. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






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






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






29. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






30. Change and growth of the character






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






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






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






34. Direct contrast or opposite






35. A particularly clever extended metaphor






36. Contrasting words placed together for effect






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






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






39. Technical - specialized language






40. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






41. 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.)






42. Unexpected outcome in the plot






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






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






45. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






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






47. Emotional response of the reader






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






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






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