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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 numbered list






2. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






3. 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.)






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






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






6. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






7. Technical - specialized language






8. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






9. The use of slang in writing






10. The recreation of regional spoken language






11. Change and growth of the character






12. Unexpected outcome in the plot






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






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






15. Word order or organization






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






17. A short witty statement






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






19. Emotional definition of a word






20. An overused expression






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






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






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






24. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






25. Emotional response of the reader






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






27. An unexpected outcome






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






29. Contrasting words placed together for effect






30. Where the audience knows more than the character






31. Repetition of vowel sounds






32. A formal - often pompous - speech






33. A conclusion drawn from presented details






34. Exaggeration






35. When the story begins






36. A direct comparison






37. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






38. An inscription on a tombstone






39. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






40. A political comment through the use of humor






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






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






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






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






45. Sound words - imitative harmony






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






47. Events that take place before the story begins






48. A story that functions on the symbolic level






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






50. A question that does not expect an explicit answer