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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. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






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






3. A short witty statement






4. Direct contrast or opposite






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






6. A detail - image - or character type that occurs frequently in myth and literature - thought to appeal to the unconscious






7. Word order or organization






8. Emotional response of the reader






9. A comparison using like or as






10. The underlying message






11. Technical - specialized language






12. A conclusion drawn from presented details






13. Literary - historical - artistic reference






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






15. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






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






17. Unexpected outcome in the plot






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






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






20. Time and place of a story






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






22. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






23. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






24. Inanimate objects or abstract ideas given human characteristics






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






26. Same beginning sound






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






28. Word choice






29. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






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






31. Dictionary definition of a word






32. Exaggeration






33. Scholarly - academic writing that is difficult to understand






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






35. A sermon or moralistic lecture






36. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






37. A formal - often pompous - speech






38. An unexpected outcome






39. Contrasting words placed together for effect






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






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






42. Events that take place before the story begins






43. A mistake in reasoning






44. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






45. A formal speech praising one who has died






46. 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.)






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






48. Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach






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






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






Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?



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