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Literary And Rhetorical Vocab

Subject : english
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
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  • Match each statement with the correct term.
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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 vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretations






2. The resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction






3. Literally 'seize the day'; enjoy life while you can - a common theme in literature






4. The language spoken in England roughly between 1150 and 1500 AD






5. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






6. An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form






7. A term consisting of contradictory elements juxtaposed to create a paradoxical effect






8. A term for the title character of a work of literature






9. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






10. A reference to a person - place - or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea






11. A false name or alias used by writers






12. As opposed to concrete language it represents thoughts






13. The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase. contrast with denotation






14. The total environment for the action in a novel or play. it includes time - place - historical milieu and social - political and even spiritual circumstances






15. The dictionary definition of a word. contrast with connotation






16. The main idea or meaning - often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built






17. A style of writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind






18. A kind of poetry without rhymed lines - rhythm or fixed metrical feet






19. The real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker






20. A novel focusing on and describing social customs and habits of a particular social group






21. A term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation






22. Providing hints of things to come in a story or play






23. A phrase - idea or event that through representation serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature






24. A figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole or the whole signifies the part - also when the name of a material stands for the thing itself






25. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






26. An imaginary story that has become an accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group or society






27. A lyric poem usually marked by serious - respectful and exalted feelings toward the subject






28. A term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish






29. An imitation of a work meant to ridicule its style and subject






30. A humorous play on words - using similar sounding or identical words to suggest different meanings






31. A variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse - but sometimes with a satirical thrust






32. A sentence that follows the customary word order of english sentences - ie subject verb object. the main idea of the sentence is presented first and is then followed by one or more subordinate clauses






33. The language of a work and its style; words - often highly emotional - used to convince or sway an audience






34. An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing






35. A figure of speech whose effectiveness has been worn out through overuse and excessive familiarity






36. Sentence with interrogative pronouns






37. Personal - reflective poetry that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject






38. A parody of traditional epic form






39. A story in which a second meaning is to be read beneath the surface






40. A narrator with unlimited awareness - understanding - and insight of characters - setting - background and all other elements of the story






41. A mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated - often implying ridicule or light sarcasm; a state of affairs or events that is the reverse of what might have been expected






42. A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature






43. The high point - or turning point - of a story or play






44. One in which two parallel elements are set off against each other like equal weights on a scale.






45. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






46. In poetry - the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them






47. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






48. In contrast to literal language - implies meanings






49. A simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited






50. The background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature