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 particularly clever extended metaphor






2. A numbered list






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






4. Words that create mental pictures






5. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






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






7. Word order or organization






8. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






9. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






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






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






12. Literary - historical - artistic reference






13. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






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






15. A comparison using like or as






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






17. When the story begins






18. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






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






20. Same beginning sound






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






22. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






23. A direct comparison






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






25. Technical - specialized language






26. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






27. Repetition of vowel sounds






28. A sermon or moralistic lecture






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






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






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






32. Where the audience knows more than the character






33. A story that functions on the symbolic level






34. A mistake in reasoning






35. Unexpected outcome in the plot






36. The answer to a question






37. 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.)






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






39. Exaggeration






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






41. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






42. An inscription on a tombstone






43. The recreation of regional spoken language






44. An unexpected outcome






45. Dictionary definition of a word






46. Direct contrast or opposite






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






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






49. A formal speech praising one who has died






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