Test your basic knowledge |

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. Word order or organization






2. A particularly clever extended metaphor






3. A mistake in reasoning






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






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






6. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






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






8. Change and growth of the character






9. Words which evoke sorrow






10. When the story begins






11. A political comment through the use of humor






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






13. A formal speech praising one who has died






14. Exaggeration






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






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






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






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






19. Events that take place before the story begins






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






21. Word choice






22. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






23. Contrasting words placed together for effect






24. Words that create mental pictures






25. An inscription on a tombstone






26. The answer to a question






27. A direct comparison






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






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






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






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






32. Direct contrast or opposite






33. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






34. A sermon or moralistic lecture






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






36. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






37. Emotional definition of a word






38. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






39. A moment of great revelation






40. Same beginning sound






41. A comparison using like or as






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






43. Same ending sounds






44. A conclusion drawn from presented details






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






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






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






48. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






49. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






50. The underlying message