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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 particularly clever extended metaphor






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






3. An inscription on a tombstone






4. A story that functions on the symbolic level






5. Dictionary definition of a word






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






7. When the story begins






8. Direct contrast or opposite






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






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






11. Contrasting words placed together for effect






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






13. Repetition of vowel sounds






14. A direct comparison






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






16. Word choice






17. An overused expression






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






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






20. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






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






22. Unexpected outcome in the plot






23. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






24. A short witty statement






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






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






27. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






28. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






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






30. A moment of great revelation






31. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






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






33. Where the audience knows more than the character






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






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






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






37. Exaggeration






38. A political comment through the use of humor






39. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






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






41. A mistake in reasoning






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






43. A comparison using like or as






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






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






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






47. Same beginning sound






48. The use of slang in writing






49. A numbered list






50. A sermon or moralistic lecture