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






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






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






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






5. The underlying message






6. A conclusion drawn from presented details






7. Contrasting words placed together for effect






8. Exaggeration






9. Time and place of a story






10. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






11. An overused expression






12. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






13. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






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






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






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






17. Events that take place before the story begins






18. 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.)






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






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






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






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






23. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






24. Emotional response of the reader






25. When the story begins






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






27. The use of slang in writing






28. Unexpected outcome in the plot






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






30. A formal speech praising one who has died






31. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






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






33. A direct comparison






34. Same beginning sound






35. A moment of great revelation






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






37. The recreation of regional spoken language






38. Emotional definition of a word






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






40. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






41. A formal - often pompous - speech






42. The answer to a question






43. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






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






45. A sermon or moralistic lecture






46. Literary - historical - artistic reference






47. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






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






49. Dictionary definition of a word






50. An unexpected outcome