Test your basic knowledge |

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






2. Where the audience knows more than the character






3. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






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






5. A moment of great revelation






6. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






7. Emotional definition of a word






8. Word choice






9. Words which evoke sorrow






10. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






11. Repetition of vowel sounds






12. The underlying message






13. Unexpected outcome in the plot






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






15. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






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






17. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






18. A formal - often pompous - speech






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






20. An unexpected outcome






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






22. Word order or organization






23. Dictionary definition of a word






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






25. A story that functions on the symbolic level






26. Pattern; repeated image - symbol - idea






27. 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.)






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






29. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






30. The use of slang in writing






31. Clues that tip the reader off as to What is to come later in the work






32. The recreation of regional spoken language






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






34. The answer to a question






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






36. Direct contrast or opposite






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






38. A formal speech praising one who has died






39. When the story begins






40. A direct comparison






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






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






43. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






44. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






45. A comparison using like or as






46. Exaggeration






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






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






49. Words that create mental pictures






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