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






2. A direct comparison






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






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






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






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






7. Dictionary definition of a word






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






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






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






11. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






12. The underlying message






13. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






14. A numbered list






15. A comparison using like or as






16. The answer to a question






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






18. A story that functions on the symbolic level






19. Direct contrast or opposite






20. Word choice






21. Words which evoke sorrow






22. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






23. An overused expression






24. A political comment through the use of humor






25. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






26. Repetition of vowel sounds






27. Unexpected outcome in the plot






28. A formal speech praising one who has died






29. An inscription on a tombstone






30. Literary - historical - artistic reference






31. Where the audience knows more than the character






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






33. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






34. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






35. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






36. Events that take place before the story begins






37. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






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






39. A sermon or moralistic lecture






40. Direct contrast or opposite






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






42. Change and growth of the character






43. A particularly clever extended metaphor






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






45. Word order or organization






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






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






48. A short witty statement






49. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






50. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings