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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 comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






2. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






3. 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.)






4. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






5. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






6. Change and growth of the character






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






8. Time and place of a story






9. A story that functions on the symbolic level






10. Dictionary definition of a word






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






12. Words which evoke sorrow






13. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






14. An inscription on a tombstone






15. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






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






17. A comparison using like or as






18. Emotional definition of a word






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






20. Word order or organization






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






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






23. Exaggeration






24. Literary - historical - artistic reference






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






26. A formal speech praising one who has died






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






28. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






29. Same beginning sound






30. An unexpected outcome






31. Direct contrast or opposite






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






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






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






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






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






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






38. Events that take place before the story begins






39. Contrasting words placed together for effect






40. Emotional response of the reader






41. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






42. A formal - often pompous - speech






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






44. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






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






46. Word choice






47. Unexpected outcome in the plot






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






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






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