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 mistake in reasoning






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






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






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






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






6. A conclusion drawn from presented details






7. The recreation of regional spoken language






8. The answer to a question






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






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






11. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






12. Literary - historical - artistic reference






13. The use of slang in writing






14. A comparison using like or as






15. Contrasting words placed together for effect






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






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






18. An unexpected outcome






19. An inscription on a tombstone






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






21. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






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






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






24. A direct comparison






25. Exaggeration






26. Word order or organization






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






28. A moment of great revelation






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






30. A particularly clever extended metaphor






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






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






33. A political comment through the use of humor






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






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






36. A sermon or moralistic lecture






37. Dictionary definition of a word






38. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






39. Same ending sounds






40. Word choice






41. A formal speech praising one who has died






42. A short witty statement






43. A formal - often pompous - speech






44. Time and place of a story






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






46. A question that does not expect an explicit answer






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






48. A word that represents a larger idea or concept






49. Direct contrast or opposite






50. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis