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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 numbered list






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






3. Word order or organization






4. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






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






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






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






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






9. A conclusion drawn from presented details






10. Emotional definition of a word






11. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






12. A direct comparison






13. Sound words - imitative harmony






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






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






16. Same beginning sound






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






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






19. 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.)






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






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






22. The answer to a question






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






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






25. Repetition of vowel sounds






26. A formal - often pompous - speech






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






28. Events that take place before the story begins






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






30. Direct contrast or opposite






31. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






32. Words that create mental pictures






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






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






35. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






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






37. Contrasting words placed together for effect






38. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






39. When the story begins






40. Dictionary definition of a word






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






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






43. Direct contrast or opposite






44. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






45. Technical - specialized language






46. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






47. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






48. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






49. Emotional response of the reader






50. A comparison using like or as