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






2. When the story begins






3. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






4. Dictionary definition of a word






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






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






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






8. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






9. An overused expression






10. Same ending sounds






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






12. Direct contrast or opposite






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






14. A short witty statement






15. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






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






17. The underlying message






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






19. A formal - often pompous - speech






20. Words that create mental pictures






21. Technical - specialized language






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






23. Contrasting words placed together for effect






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






25. The recreation of regional spoken language






26. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






27. Where the audience knows more than the character






28. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






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






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






31. A story that functions on the symbolic level






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






33. Change and growth of the character






34. A formal speech praising one who has died






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






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






37. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






38. A comparison using like or as






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






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






41. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






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






43. 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.)






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






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






46. A political comment through the use of humor






47. Word choice






48. Word order or organization






49. An unexpected outcome






50. An inscription on a tombstone