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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. Emotional response of the reader






2. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






3. Events that take place before the story begins






4. Technical - specialized language






5. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






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






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






8. Word order or organization






9. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






10. A moment of great revelation






11. A particularly clever extended metaphor






12. Literary - historical - artistic reference






13. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






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






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






16. When the story begins






17. Same beginning sound






18. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






19. Change and growth of the character






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






21. Same ending sounds






22. A direct comparison






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






24. Contrasting words placed together for effect






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






26. Unexpected outcome in the plot






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






28. Sound words - imitative harmony






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






30. The answer to a question






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






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






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






34. An overused expression






35. A story that functions on the symbolic level






36. A formal - often pompous - speech






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






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






39. Dictionary definition of a word






40. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






41. Direct contrast or opposite






42. An inference that does not follow logically from the premise (literally - does not follow)






43. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






44. A short witty statement






45. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






46. The recreation of regional spoken language






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






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






49. The underlying message






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