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. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






2. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






3. A formal - often pompous - speech






4. Unexpected outcome in the plot






5. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






6. A direct comparison






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






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






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






10. A numbered list






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






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






13. Change and growth of the character






14. The use of slang in writing






15. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






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






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






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






19. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






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






21. Emotional definition of a word






22. A story that functions on the symbolic level






23. Sound words - imitative harmony






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






25. An unexpected outcome






26. The answer to a question






27. Time and place of a story






28. Emotional response of the reader






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






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






31. A comparison using like or as






32. 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.)






33. Dictionary definition of a word






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






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






36. Direct contrast or opposite






37. Repetition of vowel sounds






38. Words which evoke sorrow






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






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






41. Words that create mental pictures






42. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






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






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






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






46. Word choice






47. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






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






49. Exaggeration






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