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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 form of logic that moves from the general to the specific






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






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






4. Words which evoke sorrow






5. The use of slang in writing






6. Emotional response of the reader






7. Exaggeration






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






9. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






10. A short witty statement






11. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






12. Literary devices that enable an author to operate on levels other than the literal (simile - metaphor - etc)






13. A mistake in reasoning






14. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






15. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






16. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






17. Repetition of vowel sounds






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






19. Literary - historical - artistic reference






20. The answer to a question






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






22. A story that functions on the symbolic level






23. A numbered list






24. Same beginning sound






25. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






26. A sermon or moralistic lecture






27. Word choice






28. Unexpected outcome in the plot






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






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






31. Events that take place before the story begins






32. Where the audience knows more than the character






33. When the story begins






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






35. Making a situation seem less important or serious than it is






36. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






37. A moment of great revelation






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






39. A political comment through the use of humor






40. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






41. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






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






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






44. Dictionary definition of a word






45. A direct comparison






46. Time and place of a story






47. Emotional definition of a word






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






49. Word order or organization






50. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand