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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. Emotional definition of a word






2. Events that take place before the story begins






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






4. The use of slang in writing






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






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






7. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






8. A particularly clever extended metaphor






9. The recreation of regional spoken language






10. A formal - often pompous - speech






11. Unexpected outcome in the plot






12. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






13. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






14. A numbered list






15. Literary - historical - artistic reference






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






17. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






18. Saying one thing but meaning the opposite






19. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






20. Emotional response of the reader






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






22. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






23. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






24. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






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






26. The underlying message






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






28. 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.)






29. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






30. Direct contrast or opposite






31. An overused expression






32. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






33. A mistake in reasoning






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






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






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






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






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






39. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






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






41. Word choice






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






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






44. Technical - specialized language






45. Dictionary definition of a word






46. An inscription on a tombstone






47. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






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






49. A moment of great revelation






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