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






2. Literary - historical - artistic reference






3. A formal - often pompous - speech






4. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






5. A story that functions on the symbolic level






6. Unexpected outcome in the plot






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






8. Direct contrast or opposite






9. Events that take place before the story begins






10. When the story begins






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






12. Dictionary definition of a word






13. The answer to a question






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






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






16. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






17. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






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






19. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






20. A short witty statement






21. A political comment through the use of humor






22. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






23. Time and place of a story






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






25. Emotional response of the reader






26. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






27. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






28. The use of slang in writing






29. An overused expression






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






31. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






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






33. Repetition of vowel sounds






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






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






36. A numbered list






37. An unexpected outcome






38. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






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






40. Words which evoke sorrow






41. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






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






43. The underlying message






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






45. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






46. Word choice






47. Word order or organization






48. Where the audience knows more than the character






49. Change and growth of the character






50. A formal speech praising one who has died