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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 story that functions on the symbolic level






2. Technical - specialized language






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






4. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






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






6. A direct comparison






7. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






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






9. A sermon or moralistic lecture






10. The recreation of regional spoken language






11. Emotional response of the reader






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






13. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






14. The answer to a question






15. Contrasting words placed together for effect






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






17. 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.)






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






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






20. Change and growth of the character






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






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






23. Emotional definition of a word






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






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






26. An inscription on a tombstone






27. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






28. Same ending sounds






29. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






30. Direct contrast or opposite






31. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






32. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






33. A formal speech praising one who has died






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






35. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






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






37. The use of slang in writing






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






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






40. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






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






42. Literary - historical - artistic reference






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






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






45. Direct contrast or opposite






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






47. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






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






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






50. A moment of great revelation