Wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

American Lit terms 2021

Total questions: 32

Worksheet time: 16mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

the listener, viewer, or reader of a text

a)

argument

b)

persona

c)

audience

d)

persuasive purpose

2.

time, place, and purpose in which the speech/article or text is given.

a)

anaphora

b)

argument

c)

allusion

d)

rhetorical occasion

3.

A reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art

a)

anaphora

b)

allusion

c)

alliteration

d)

antithesis

4.

The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.

a)

anaphora

b)

ambiguity

c)

antithesis

5.
the direct opposite, a sharp contrast, used to emphasize the contrasting characteristic
a)
antithesis
b)
allusion
c)
anaphora
6.

the repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of consecutive lines or sentences

a)

alliteration

b)

allusion

c)

argument

d)

anaphora

7.

the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.

a)

ambiguity

b)

alliteration

c)

allusion

d)

anastrophe

8.

the tools a writer uses to make his or her writing powerful and effective.

a)

anaphora

b)

rhetoric

c)

rhetorical devices

d)

argument

9.

the inversion of the usual order of words or clauses (Yoda speech)

a)

alliteration

b)

anaphora

c)

antithesis

d)

anastrophe

10.
the art of using language effectively and persuasively
a)
rhetoric
b)
ambiguity
c)
devices
11.

the goal to move by argument, to a belief, position, or course of action

a)

audience

b)

persona

c)

persuasive purpose

d)

argument

12.

the reasons given in order to move the audience to a belief, position, or course of action.

a)

argument

b)

persuasive purpose

c)

persona

d)

audience

13.

The face or character that a speaker shows to his or her audience; the "voice" we hear or see.

a)

persuasive purpose

b)

argument

c)

argument

d)

persona

14.
the reason the speech needs to be given; the event or issue or crisis that led to the need to make the speech.
a)
exigence
b)
argument
c)
persuasive purpose
15.

appeal to emotion through emotional language and images, an appeal to feelings rather than to strict reason

a)

appeal to ethos

b)

appeal to pathos

c)

appeal to logos

16.

an appeal to a person's (the speaker's) character, credibility, sincerity, or trustworthiness

a)

appeal to ethos

b)

appeal to pathos

c)

appeal to logos

17.

When a writer tries to persuade the audience based on logic through statistics, facts, and reasons

a)

appeal to ethos

b)

appeal to pathos

c)

appeal to logos

18.

This ad is an appeal to

a)

ethos

b)

logos

c)

fear (subcategory of Pathos)

19.

Which word is a colloquialism?

a)

Oh, snap!

b)

cholesterol

c)

exclusive

d)

comma

20.

Which of the following is NOT common ground.

a)

While two political parties strongly advocate different economic policies, both parties are deeply concerned about the economic welfare of the country.

b)

When the prosecution and the defense want to see justice done even though in a legal case differ fundamentally on the matter of guilt or innocence.

c)

You like dogs and your brother prefers cats so you refuse to get a pet at all.

d)

You and your neighbor may not vote for the same political candidate, but you have a shared belief in fair elections, free speech, and the democratic process

21.

Which is not an example of Diversion (aka a Red Herring)?

a)

In business, arguing against giving raises - "Sure, we haven't given raises in over five years to our employees. You know, we work really hard to make a good product. We try to ensure the best customer service, too." shift off appeal for a raise to the good product and customer service.

b)

In government, arguing for raising taxes - "We need more revenue to support the programs that we have. Children are our future. Let's support children." Shift off higher taxes to helping children.

c)

In conversation - "When you start saying things to me like I need to eat healthier or get more exercise, that says to me that you think I'm fat. I like me, and I like the way I look and more people should have better self-esteem." Shift off healthy habits to self-esteem.

d)

In conversation - "I really want to bring my grade up in the class. I think I will write book recommendations since they would give me extra credit points.

22.

Emotional Language

a)

stilted careful precise words

b)

loaded words that provoke feelings

c)

technical detailed words

23.

Euphemism is. . .

a)

a foul or offensive word

b)

long exaggerated wording

c)

an alternative to a word that is too harsh or offensive

24.

Hyperbole is . . .

a)

an alternative to a word that is too harsh or offensive

b)

a loaded word that provokes feelings

c)

words that are exaggerated or overstated

25.

Which sentence is not parallel?

a)

I love reading books, writing letters, and watching movies.

b)

"We will rekindle new faith in our values, new pride in our history, ad a new spirit of unity. . . "

c)

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

d)

His favorite things are his basketballs, riding his motorcycle, and to play football.

26.
A statement that seems to contradict itself is a. . .
a)
Paradox
b)
Oxymoron
c)
Parable
d)
Onomatopoeia
27.
Paralipsis is. . .
a)
when the speaker draws attention to something in the act of declaring that he or she will not speak a word about it.
b)
when a speaker mistakenly says a word that sounds similar to the one he or she intended.
c)
a fancy word for kissing.
28.

Referencing the past can. . .

a)

remind people of where they came from.

b)

set a context for future direction.

c)

help the audience to connect with the speaker with their shared experiences.

d)

do all of these things.

29.

Satire is. . .

a)

vicious sarcasm

b)

joking around

c)

ridiculing something in order to cause change.

d)

logical argument

30.
Jargon is. . .
a)
words associated with a specific profession
b)
words associated with a specific location
c)
slang
31.
Gobbledygook is. . .
a)
a slang and insulting word for jargon
b)
the sticky gross stuff you find in the treads of your sneakers.
c)
turkey-speak
32.

A warrant is. . .

a)

a really mean 6 legged insect.

b)

the priorities, feelings, values and circumstances of the audience that make a particular argument especially effective for an audience.

c)

the cause that sparks the need to talk about the issue in the first place.