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






2. The use of slang in writing






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






4. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






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






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






7. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






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






9. A formal - often pompous - speech






10. Same beginning sound






11. The answer to a question






12. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






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






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






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






16. Technical - specialized language






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






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






19. Word order or organization






20. A moment of great revelation






21. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






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






23. An inscription on a tombstone






24. A sermon or moralistic lecture






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






26. Direct contrast or opposite






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






28. The recreation of regional spoken language






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






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






31. A numbered list






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






33. A direct comparison






34. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






35. Sound words - imitative harmony






36. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






37. A short witty statement






38. Where the audience knows more than the character






39. Same ending sounds






40. Events that take place before the story begins






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






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






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






44. The underlying message






45. Words that create mental pictures






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






47. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






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






49. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






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