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. An inscription on a tombstone






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






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






4. When the story begins






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






6. A direct comparison






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






8. Events that take place before the story begins






9. A metaphor which changes and grows throughout the story






10. Unexpected outcome in the plot






11. Same beginning sound






12. Dictionary definition of a word






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






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






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






16. A story that functions on the symbolic level






17. Describing something indirectly by referring to things around it






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






19. A conclusion drawn from presented details






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






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






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






23. Change and growth of the character






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






25. Sound words - imitative harmony






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






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






28. The answer to a question






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






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






31. Literary - historical - artistic reference






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






33. Emotional response of the reader






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






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






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






37. Where the audience knows more than the character






38. Using the same word or phrase for emphasis






39. A sermon or moralistic lecture






40. A political comment through the use of humor






41. A formal speech praising one who has died






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






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






44. Meaning or emotion underneath the words






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






46. The manipulation of words for a specific purpose






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






48. A metaphor around which the entire story revolves






49. A form of personification - only it is not a character in the story






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