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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. Where the audience knows more than the character






2. Direct contrast or opposite






3. The use of slang in writing






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






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






6. A mistake in reasoning






7. A conclusion drawn from presented details






8. The answer to a question






9. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






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






11. A story that functions on the symbolic level






12. A direct comparison






13. The recreation of regional spoken language






14. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






15. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






16. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






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






18. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






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






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






21. A sermon or moralistic lecture






22. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






23. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






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






25. A comparison using like or as






26. Dictionary definition of a word






27. Technical - specialized language






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






29. A formal speech praising one who has died






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






31. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






32. A form of personification - only it is not a character in the story






33. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






34. Unexpected outcome in the plot






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






36. Time and place of a story






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






38. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






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






40. Exaggeration






41. Same beginning sound






42. A numbered list






43. A formal - often pompous - speech






44. A political comment through the use of humor






45. Word choice






46. When the story begins






47. Emotional definition of a word






48. Words that create mental pictures






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






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