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






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






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






4. A particularly clever extended metaphor






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






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. Word choice






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






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






11. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






12. Direct contrast or opposite






13. An inscription on a tombstone






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






15. A political comment through the use of humor






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






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






18. Emotional definition of a word






19. Sound words - imitative harmony






20. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






21. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






22. The underlying message






23. Exaggeration






24. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






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






26. Change and growth of the character






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






28. A direct comparison






29. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






30. A numbered list






31. Events that take place before the story begins






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






33. Contrasting words placed together for effect






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






35. Unexpected outcome in the plot






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






37. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






38. 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.)






39. The use of slang in writing






40. Technical - specialized language






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






42. A story that functions on the symbolic level






43. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






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






45. A formal speech praising one who has died






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






47. An overused expression






48. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






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






50. A short witty statement