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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 question that does not expect an explicit answer






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






3. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






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






5. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






6. A numbered list






7. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






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






9. Same ending sounds






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






11. A sermon or moralistic lecture






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






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






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






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






16. Events that take place before the story begins






17. Contrasting words placed together for effect






18. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






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






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






21. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






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






23. A short witty statement






24. When the story begins






25. An unexpected outcome






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






27. Sound words - imitative harmony






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






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






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






31. Exaggeration






32. The use of slang in writing






33. Unexpected outcome in the plot






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






35. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






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






37. 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.)






38. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






39. Where the audience knows more than the character






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






41. Direct contrast or opposite






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






43. A formal speech praising one who has died






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






45. Change and growth of the character






46. Same beginning sound






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






48. A formal - often pompous - speech






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






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