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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. Time and place of a story






2. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






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






4. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






5. Dictionary definition of a word






6. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






7. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






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






9. A political comment through the use of humor






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






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






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






13. 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.)






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






15. The use of slang in writing






16. A mistake in reasoning






17. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






18. A comparison using like or as






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






20. Exaggeration






21. Where the audience knows more than the character






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






23. A short witty statement






24. Sound words - imitative harmony






25. Same beginning sound






26. Unexpected outcome in the plot






27. An overused expression






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






29. Change and growth of the character






30. Same ending sounds






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






32. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






33. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






34. Contrasting words placed together for effect






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






36. Emotional definition of a word






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






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






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






40. An inscription on a tombstone






41. Events that take place before the story begins






42. A conclusion drawn from presented details






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






44. A formal - often pompous - speech






45. Words that create mental pictures






46. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






47. A story that functions on the symbolic level






48. Word choice






49. An unexpected outcome






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