Rhetorical Devices

Question 1

A concise statement designed to make a point or illustrate a commonly held belief

Answer 1

Aphorism

Question 2

A brief story or take told by a character in a piece of literature

Answer 2

Anecdote

Question 3

Aphorism

Answer 3

A concise statement designed to make a point or illustrate a commonly held belief

Question 4

Oxymoron

Answer 4

A figure of speech that combines two apparently contradictory elements as in deafening silence.

Question 5

A figure of speech that combines two apparently contradictory elements as in deafening silence.

Answer 5

Oxymoron

Question 6

Allusion

Answer 6

A figure of speech which makes brief even casual reference to a historical or literary figure, event or object to create a resonance in the reader or to apply a symbolic meaning to the character or object of which the allusion exists.

Question 7

A figure of speech which makes brief even casual reference to a historical or literary figure, event or object to create a resonance in the reader or to apply a symbolic meaning to the character or object of which the it exists.

Answer 7

Allusion

Question 8

Syllogism

Answer 8

A form of deduction. An extremely subtle, sophisticated, or deceptive argument.

Question 9

A form of deduction. An extremely subtle, sophisticated, or deceptive argument

Answer 9

Syllogism

Question 10

Satire

Answer 10

A literary style used to make fun of or ridicule an idea or human vice or weakness

Question 11

A literary style used to make fun of or ridicule an idea or human vice or weakness

Answer 11

Satire

Question 12

Bildungsroman

Answer 12

A novel or story whose theme is the moral or physiological growth of the main character.

Question 13

A novel or story whose theme is the moral or physiological growth of the main character.

Answer 13

Bildungsroman

Question 14

Foil

Answer 14

A person or thing that makes another seem better by contrast

Question 15

A person or thing that makes another seem better by contrast

Answer 15

Foil

Question 16

Epistolary

Answer 16

A piece of literature contained in or carried on by written letters

Question 17

A piece of literature contained in or carried on by written letters

Answer 17

Epistolary

Question 18

Epitaph

Answer 18

A piece of writing in praise of a deceased person

Question 19

A piece of writing in praise of a deceased person

Answer 19

Epitaph

Question 20

Parody

Answer 20

A satirical imitation of a work of art for purpose of ridiculing its style or subject

Question 21

A satirical imitation of a work of art for purpose of ridiculing its style or subject

Answer 21

Parody

Question 22

Delayed sentence

Answer 22

A sentence that withholds it’s main idea until the end.

Question 23

A sentence that withholds it’s main idea until the end.

Answer 23

Delayed sentence

Question 24

Expletive

Answer 24

A single word or short phrase intended to emphasize surrounding words. Commonly set off by commas. (In fact, of course)

Question 25

A single word or short phrase intended to emphasize surrounding words. Commonly set off by commas. (In fact, of course)

Answer 25

Expletive

Question 26

Eulogy

Answer 26

A speech or writing in praise of a person or thing; an oration in honor of a deceased person

Question 27

A speech or writing in praise of a person or thing; an oration in honor of a deceased person

Answer 27

Eulogy

Question 28

Paradox

Answer 28

A statement that seems contradictory but is actually true

Question 29

A statement that seems contradictory but is actually true

Answer 29

Paradox

Question 30

Epiphany

Answer 30

A sudden or intuitive insight or perception into the reality or essential meaning of something usually brought on by a simple or common experience or occurrence

Question 31

A sudden or intuitive insight or perception into the reality or essential meaning of something usually brought on by a simple or common experience or occurrence

Answer 31

Epiphany

Question 32

Onomatopoeia

Answer 32

A word capturing or approximating the sound of what it describes (buzz, bang)

Question 33

A word capturing or approximating the sound of what it describes (buzz, bang)

Answer 33

Onomatopoeia

Question 34

Utopia

Answer 34

An imaginary place of ideal perfection.

Question 35

An imaginary place of ideal perfection.

Answer 35

Utopia

Question 36

Hyperbole

Answer 36

An overstatement characterized by exaggerated language

Question 37

An overstatement characterized by exaggerated language

Answer 37

Hyperbole

Question 38

Deus ex machina

Answer 38

Use of an artificial device or contrived solution to solve a difficult situation, usually introduced suddenly and unexpectedly

Question 39

Use of an artificial device or contrived solution to solve a difficult situation, usually introduced suddenly and unexpectedly

Answer 39

Deus ex machina

Question 40

Inductive

Answer 40

Conclusion or type of reasoning whereby observation or information about a part of a class is applied to the class as a whole

Question 41

Conclusion or type of reasoning whereby observation or information about a part of a class is applied to the class as a whole

Answer 41

Inductive

Question 42

Nostalgia

Answer 42

Desire to return in thought or fact to a former time

Question 43

Desire to return in thought or fact to a former time

Answer 43

Nostalgia

Question 44

Anecdote

Answer 44

A brief story or take told by a character in a piece of literature