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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 formal - often pompous - speech






2. Technical - specialized language






3. An unexpected outcome






4. A moment of great revelation






5. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






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






7. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






8. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






9. Literary - historical - artistic reference






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






11. Change and growth of the character






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






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






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






15. A story that operates on the symbolic level and teaches a lesson or moral






16. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






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






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






19. Words that create mental pictures






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






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






22. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






23. Time and place of a story






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






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






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






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






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






29. Unexpected outcome in the plot






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






31. A direct comparison






32. A conclusion drawn from presented details






33. Sound words - imitative harmony






34. An inscription on a tombstone






35. The recreation of regional spoken language






36. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






37. An overused expression






38. A mistake in reasoning






39. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






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






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






42. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






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






44. The underlying message






45. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






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






47. Repetition of vowel sounds






48. A sermon or moralistic lecture






49. 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.)






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