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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. Same ending sounds






2. The answer to a question






3. An unexpected outcome






4. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






5. Events that take place before the story begins






6. The underlying message






7. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






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






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






10. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






11. A formal speech praising one who has died






12. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






13. Literary - historical - artistic reference






14. When the story begins






15. The recreation of regional spoken language






16. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






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






18. Contrasting words placed together for effect






19. Direct contrast or opposite






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






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






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






23. Where the audience knows more than the character






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






25. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






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






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






28. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






29. Emotional response of the reader






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






31. A short witty statement






32. Unexpected outcome in the plot






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






34. Word order or organization






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






36. An inscription on a tombstone






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






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






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






40. Repetition of vowel sounds






41. 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.)






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






43. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






44. A political comment through the use of humor






45. Time and place of a story






46. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






47. Words that create mental pictures






48. A formal - often pompous - speech






49. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






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