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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 comparison using like or as






2. Direct contrast or opposite






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






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






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






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






7. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






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






9. Literary - historical - artistic reference






10. Same beginning sound






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






12. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






13. Words that create mental pictures






14. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






15. The answer to a question






16. A sermon or moralistic lecture






17. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






18. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






19. 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.)






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






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






22. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






23. Technical - specialized language






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






25. Exaggeration






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






27. A mistake in reasoning






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






29. A political comment through the use of humor






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






31. Same ending sounds






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






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






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






35. Time and place of a story






36. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






37. Where the audience knows more than the character






38. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






39. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






40. Emotional definition of a word






41. When the story begins






42. An inscription on a tombstone






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






44. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






45. Word order or organization






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






47. Sound words - imitative harmony






48. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






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






50. Direct contrast or opposite