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






2. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






3. A comparison between two dissimilar ideas or things






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






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






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






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






8. Technical - specialized language






9. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






10. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






11. Same ending sounds






12. Deliberately unclear - having multiple meanings






13. Exaggeration






14. Emotional response of the reader






15. Unexpected outcome in the plot






16. Emotional definition of a word






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






18. A short witty statement






19. 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.)






20. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






21. A particularly clever extended metaphor






22. Word order or organization






23. A direct comparison






24. Contrasting words placed together for effect






25. The underlying message






26. A comparison using like or as






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






28. A sermon or moralistic lecture






29. Words which evoke sorrow






30. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






31. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






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






33. A moment of great revelation






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






35. A political comment through the use of humor






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






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






38. An overused expression






39. Time and place of a story






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






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






42. Change and growth of the character






43. An inscription on a tombstone






44. Direct contrast or opposite






45. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






46. Same beginning sound






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






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






49. Events that take place before the story begins






50. The use of slang in writing