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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. Dictionary definition of a word






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






3. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






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






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






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






7. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






8. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






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






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






11. A numbered list






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






13. Technical - specialized language






14. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






15. A particularly clever extended metaphor






16. An overused expression






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






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






19. Where the audience knows more than the character






20. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






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






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






23. The recreation of regional spoken language






24. Direct contrast or opposite






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






26. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






27. Word order or organization






28. A conclusion drawn from presented details






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






30. Change and growth of the character






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






32. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






33. Time and place of a story






34. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






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






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






37. Direct contrast or opposite






38. Emotional definition of a word






39. A political comment through the use of humor






40. A mistake in reasoning






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






42. An unexpected outcome






43. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






44. A sermon or moralistic lecture






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






46. The underlying message






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






48. A story that functions on the symbolic level






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






50. Word choice