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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 rhetorical strategy that attacks the person rather than the idea






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






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






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






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






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






7. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






8. A sermon or moralistic lecture






9. Same beginning sound






10. A mistake in reasoning






11. A particularly clever extended metaphor






12. When the story begins






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






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






15. Technical - specialized language






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






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






18. Contrasting words placed together for effect






19. A formal speech praising one who has died






20. An unexpected outcome






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






22. Dictionary definition of a word






23. Direct contrast or opposite






24. The use of slang in writing






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






26. Sound words - imitative harmony






27. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






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






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






30. A political comment through the use of humor






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






32. Where the audience knows more than the character






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






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






35. A conclusion drawn from presented details






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






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






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






39. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






40. 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.)






41. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






42. Words that create mental pictures






43. A moment of great revelation






44. Repetition of vowel sounds






45. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






46. Change and growth of the character






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






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






49. A short witty statement






50. A formal - often pompous - speech