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. A short witty statement






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






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






4. The use of a quotation at the beginning of the work which often hints at a theme






5. A direct comparison






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






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






8. Emotional response of the reader






9. Exaggeration






10. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






11. A mistake in reasoning






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






13. The use of slang in writing






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






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






16. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






17. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






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






19. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






20. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






21. Literary - historical - artistic reference






22. An inscription on a tombstone






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






24. Unexpected outcome in the plot






25. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






26. Where the audience knows more than the character






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






28. Direct contrast or opposite






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






30. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






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






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






33. The answer to a question






34. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






35. Word choice






36. A conclusion drawn from presented details






37. A formal speech praising one who has died






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






39. Sound words - imitative harmony






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






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






42. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






43. Change and growth of the character






44. Emotional definition of a word






45. An unexpected outcome






46. When the story begins






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






48. A comparison using like or as






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






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