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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 mistake in reasoning






3. A formal - often pompous - speech






4. Exaggeration






5. Events that take place before the story begins






6. A direct comparison






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






8. Word order or organization






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






10. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






11. The underlying message






12. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






13. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






14. When the story begins






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






16. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






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






18. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






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






20. An overused expression






21. Direct contrast or opposite






22. The answer to a question






23. A sermon or moralistic lecture






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






25. A conclusion drawn from presented details






26. Words that create mental pictures






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






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






29. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






30. Words which evoke sorrow






31. Technical - specialized language






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






33. Repetition of vowel sounds






34. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






35. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






36. Emotional definition of a word






37. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






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






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






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






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






42. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






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






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






45. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






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






47. Contrasting words placed together for effect






48. An inscription on a tombstone






49. A comparison using like or as






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