Test your basic knowledge |

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. An overused expression






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






3. Unexpected outcome in the plot






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






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






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






7. Same beginning sound






8. Emotional definition of a word






9. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






10. Words which evoke sorrow






11. The use of slang in writing






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






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






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






15. A political comment through the use of humor






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






17. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






18. A formal speech praising one who has died






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






20. 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.)






21. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






22. A conclusion drawn from presented details






23. Dictionary definition of a word






24. When the story begins






25. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






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






27. A moment of great revelation






28. Word choice






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






30. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






31. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






32. Technical - specialized language






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






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






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






36. Emotional response of the reader






37. A particularly clever extended metaphor






38. Change and growth of the character






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






40. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






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






42. A mistake in reasoning






43. Direct contrast or opposite






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






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






46. Same ending sounds






47. Repetition of vowel sounds






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






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






50. Direct contrast or opposite