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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. Words which evoke sorrow






2. Technical - specialized language






3. Emotional response of the reader






4. Contrasting words placed together for effect






5. The use of slang in writing






6. Unexpected outcome in the plot






7. A formal speech praising one who has died






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






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






10. A formal - often pompous - speech






11. Time and place of a story






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






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






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






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






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






17. Direct contrast or opposite






18. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






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






20. Sound words - imitative harmony






21. Making something sound nicer than it is; candy-coated words






22. When the story begins






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






24. A direct comparison






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






26. A numbered list






27. Repetition of vowel sounds






28. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






29. A moment of great revelation






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






31. A mistake in reasoning






32. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






33. A conclusion drawn from presented details






34. Word order or organization






35. A political comment through the use of humor






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






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






38. A particularly clever extended metaphor






39. 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.)






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






41. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






42. A story that functions on the symbolic level






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






44. The answer to a question






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






46. The recreation of regional spoken language






47. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






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






49. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






50. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things