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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 short witty statement






2. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






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






4. A numbered list






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






6. Making something sound nicer than it is; candy-coated words






7. A particularly clever extended metaphor






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






9. Sound words - imitative harmony






10. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






11. The answer to a question






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






13. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






14. Same beginning sound






15. Dictionary definition of a word






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






17. Same ending sounds






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






19. A comparison using like or as






20. Unexpected outcome in the plot






21. An inscription on a tombstone






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






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






24. A moment of great revelation






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






26. A political comment through the use of humor






27. Words which evoke sorrow






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






29. Where the audience knows more than the character






30. Time and place of a story






31. 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.)






32. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






33. The underlying message






34. Technical - specialized language






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






36. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






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






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






39. Exaggeration






40. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






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






42. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






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






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






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






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






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






48. Events that take place before the story begins






49. An overused expression






50. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea