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 form of logic that moves from the general to the specific






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






3. An unexpected outcome






4. The underlying message






5. Attitude the narrator wants the reader to take toward a setting - character - or idea






6. When the story begins






7. A moment of great revelation






8. A sermon or moralistic lecture






9. A conclusion drawn from presented details






10. A formal - often pompous - speech






11. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






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






13. An overused expression






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






15. Contrasting words placed together for effect






16. Emotional definition of a word






17. Direct contrast or opposite






18. Words that create mental pictures






19. Repetition of vowel sounds






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






21. Word order or organization






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






23. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






24. Words which evoke sorrow






25. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






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






27. Dictionary definition of a word






28. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






29. An inscription on a tombstone






30. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






31. The recreation of regional spoken language






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






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






34. The answer to a question






35. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






36. Emotional response of the reader






37. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






38. 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.)






39. A political comment through the use of humor






40. A direct comparison






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






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






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






44. Time and place of a story






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






46. Same beginning sound






47. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






48. Sound words - imitative harmony






49. Change and growth of the character






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