Rhetorical Devices Quiz

What is the repetition of the same sound beginning several words in sequence called?

• Alliteration

• Anadiplosis

• Antistrophe

• Assonance

What is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines?

• Anaphora

• Antithesis

• Apostrophe

• Euphemism

Which term refers to the opposition or contrast of ideas or words in a balanced or parallel construction?

• Antithesis

• Metaphor

• Irony

• Oxymoron

What is a form of ellipse by which a speaker comes to an abrupt halt, seemingly overcome by passion or modesty?

• Aposiopesis

• Anadiplosis

• Chiasmus

• Hyperbaton

What is a sudden turn from the general audience to address a specific group or person absent or present?

• Apostrophe

• Metonymy

• Euphemism

• Onomatopoeia

What is the lack of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words?

• Asyndeton

• Chiasmus

• Hyperbaton

• Irony

What is the substitution of an agreeable or non-offensive expression for one whose plainer meaning might be harsh?

• Euphemism

• Metaphor

• Oxymoron

• Irony

What is the exaggeration for emphasis or rhetorical effect?

• Hyperbole

• Irony

• Metonymy

• Onomatopoeia

What is a paradox?

• Use of similar sounding words

• Attribution of personality to an impersonal thing

• An assertion seemingly opposed to common sense

• Repetition of an idea in a different word

What is paronomasia?

• Use of superfluous words

• Use of similar sounding words

• Repetition of conjunctions

• Use of a word with two others