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Quizzes > Literature & Language > English & Grammar

Rhetorical Devices Quiz: Test Your Rhetorical Analysis Skills

Think you know every rhetorical device? Dive in and ace these analysis questions!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper cut style quiz illustration featuring magnifying glass question mark speech bubble on coral background

This Rhetorical Analysis Quiz helps you spot and explain rhetorical devices in short, real-world passages. Use it to build speed and confidence while you practice ethos, pathos, logos, and tone. For a quick warm-up, use the devices practice and the quick check .

What is a simile?
An exaggeration for effect
A question asked for effect
An indirect reference
A direct comparison using 'like' or 'as'
A simile makes a comparison between two unlike things using the words 'like' or 'as', helping to create vivid imagery for the reader. Unlike a metaphor, which implies the comparison directly, a simile states it explicitly. It is one of the most basic figures of speech taught in rhetorical analysis. Learn more at .
What is alliteration?
Repetition of initial consonant sounds
Repetition of vowel sounds
Use of exaggerated statements
A question asked for emphasis
Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of closely connected words. It is often used to create rhythm or mood in a sentence or phrase. Writers use alliteration to draw attention to particular words or themes. See more at .
What is personification?
Attributing human qualities to non-human things
A repeated structure at the beginning of clauses
A direct comparison without 'like' or 'as'
The omission of conjunctions
Personification assigns human traits or actions to inanimate objects, animals, or concepts to make descriptions more vivid. This device helps readers connect emotionally with non-human elements by giving them relatable qualities. It is a common trope in both poetry and prose. Further reading at .
What is hyperbole?
Repetition of vowel sounds
A direct comparison using 'like' or 'as'
A mild or indirect word substituted for a harsher one
An intentional exaggeration for emphasis
Hyperbole involves purposeful exaggeration to underscore a point or evoke strong feelings. It is not meant to be taken literally but to amplify emotions or impressions. Hyperbole is commonly used in everyday speech and literary contexts. See examples at .
What is a metaphor?
The substitution of a mild term for a harsh one
Repetition of sounds
A direct comparison stating one thing is another
A question where no answer is expected
A metaphor makes an implicit, implied, or hidden comparison between two unrelated things by stating one thing is another. Metaphors enrich meaning and understanding by linking the familiar with the unfamiliar. Unlike similes, metaphors do not use 'like' or 'as'. More detail at .
What is onomatopoeia?
A word that imitates a sound
A comparison using like or as
A rhetorical question for emphasis
An exaggeration for effect
Onomatopoeia uses words whose pronunciation imitates the sound of the thing they describe, like 'buzz' or 'clang'. This device enhances sensory experience and brings scenes to life. It is often found in poetry and comic texts. Explore examples at .
What is an oxymoron?
A mild word substituted for a harsh one
A form of exaggeration
Repeating the same word at the start of clauses
A phrase that combines contradictory terms
An oxymoron places two opposing or contradictory terms in a single phrase, such as 'deafening silence'. It creates a paradoxical effect that can highlight complexity or irony. Writers use oxymora to draw attention or provoke thought. Read more at .
What is parallelism?
Using the same grammatical structure in related phrases
A question that expects no answer
A deliberate overstatement
Substituting a mild term for a harsh one
Parallelism involves using the same pattern of words or grammatical structures to show equal importance and create rhythm. It can occur at the word, phrase, or clause level. This device enhances readability and can emphasize contrasts or similarities. More at .
In the sentence "The wind whispered through the trees," which device is used?
Onomatopoeia
Hyperbole
Personification
Metaphor
The phrase attributes the human action of whispering to the wind, which is personification. This device makes the description more vivid by giving natural elements human traits. Personification is frequently used to evoke an emotional response. See examples at .
In "She has a heart of gold," which rhetorical device is present?
Hyperbole
Metaphor
Synecdoche
Simile
The statement directly equates the person's heart with gold, implying value and purity without using 'like' or 'as', which makes it a metaphor. Metaphors are powerful for conveying meaning succinctly. They differ from similes, which require comparative words. More at .
Which appeal relies on the speaker's credibility and authority?
Kairos
Ethos
Logos
Pathos
Ethos is an appeal based on the character, credibility, or reliability of the speaker or writer. Establishing ethos helps persuade audiences by demonstrating authority or trustworthiness. This is distinct from pathos (emotion) and logos (logic). Learn more at .
Which rhetorical appeal is focused on logical reasoning and evidence?
Logos
Mythos
Ethos
Pathos
Logos appeals to logic by using facts, statistics, examples, and logical arguments. It helps build a rational case that supports the speaker's or writer's position. This differs from ethos (credibility) and pathos (emotions). More details at .
Which appeal aims to evoke an emotional response in the audience?
Ethos
Pathos
Telos
Logos
Pathos appeals to the audience's emotions, aiming to generate feelings that support the speaker's argument. It can use vivid language, anecdotes, or charged words. Pathos is one of the three classical rhetorical appeals alongside ethos and logos. See .
What is the primary function of a rhetorical question?
To introduce a new topic
To provide statistical evidence
To create alliteration
To engage the audience and prompt internal reflection
A rhetorical question is asked for effect, not to elicit an answer, and encourages listeners or readers to think more deeply about the subject. It can emphasize a point or lead the audience toward the speaker's stance. It is not meant to be answered literally. More at .
Which device involves the deliberate omission of conjunctions between related clauses?
Asyndeton
Anaphora
Epanalepsis
Polysyndeton
Asyndeton removes conjunctions (like 'and' or 'but') between clauses to speed up the rhythm and create tension or emphasis. It contrasts with polysyndeton, which uses multiple conjunctions. Writers may use asyndeton for a concise, impactful style. Details at .
What is a euphemism?
A repetition of sounds
A mild or indirect term substituted for a harsh one
An exaggeration
A direct comparison
A euphemism replaces harsher or more direct terms with milder language to soften the impact, such as saying 'passed away' instead of 'died'. It is commonly used in polite speech or writing. Euphemisms can also be used to obscure meaning. Explore more at .
Identify the device in the phrase "All hands on deck."
Synecdoche
Metonymy
Metaphor
Irony
Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a part stands for the whole or vice versa. In 'All hands on deck,' 'hands' (part of the sailors) represents the sailors themselves (the whole). This device is often used to create shorthand references. Further reading at .
What device is used in "The pen is mightier than the sword"?
Alliteration
Synecdoche
Metonymy
Oxymoron
Metonymy replaces a concept with something closely related; here, 'pen' stands for writing or ideas and 'sword' for military force or violence. It emphasizes how words can be more powerful than weapons. Metonymy differs from synecdoche, which uses a part to represent a whole. See .
Identify the device in this excerpt: "We shall fight on the beaches. We shall fight on the landing grounds. We shall fight in the fields."
Epistrophe
Chiasmus
Anaphora
Epanalepsis
Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. Winston Churchill's repeated 'We shall fight' builds momentum and unity. This device emphasizes perseverance and resolve. More at .
What is chiasmus?
A reversal in the order of words in two parallel phrases
An exaggerated statement
Omission of conjunctions
Repetition at the end of clauses
Chiasmus flips the structure of two parallel phrases (ABBA format), creating a mirror-like effect. An example is 'Never let a Fool Kiss You or a Kiss Fool You.' It often highlights contrast or creates a memorable turn of phrase. Read more at .
Which device describes a single word modifying two others in different ways, as in "She broke his car and his heart"?
Asyndeton
Zeugma
Syllepsis
Polysyndeton
Zeugma occurs when a single word (often a verb) applies to two or more words in different senses, creating a surprising or humorous effect. In 'She broke his car and his heart,' 'broke' applies literally to the car and figuratively to the heart. Syllepsis is a closely related term but typically restricts grammatically. More at .
What is polysyndeton?
The use of multiple conjunctions between clauses
The omission of conjunctions
Inversion of word order
Repetition of initial consonants
Polysyndeton inserts extra conjunctions (e.g., 'and', 'or') to slow down the rhythm and create emphasis or a sense of abundance. It contrasts with asyndeton, which removes conjunctions for speed. Authors use it to convey multiplicity or intensity. Learn more at .
What is epistrophe?
A type of metaphor
An ironic statement
Repetition at the beginning of clauses
Repetition of a word at the end of successive clauses
Epistrophe repeats a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses, creating a rhythmic emphasis on that term. For example, 'See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.' It is the counterpart to anaphora, which repeats words at the beginning. More details at .
In the sentence "The city is a hungry beast, devouring all peace," which device is predominantly used?
Hyperbole
Personification
Irony
Synecdoche
The sentence attributes human and animal qualities - hunger and the act of devouring - to an inanimate city, which is classic personification. Although it also contains metaphorical elements, the dominant effect is giving the city human-like behavior. This enriches the imagery and underscores the city's oppressive nature. For more, see .
In the phrase "We must fight ignorance with education and hatred with tolerance," which combination of devices is present?
Polysyndeton and asyndeton
Antithesis and parallelism
Chiasmus and zeugma
Anaphora and epistrophe
This phrase balances contrasting ideas - ignorance versus education, hatred versus tolerance - using parallel grammatical structures. The contrast is antithesis, and the repeated structure is parallelism. Together, they strengthen the argument by highlighting oppositions in a balanced form. More at and .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Core Rhetorical Concepts -

    Grasp the fundamental principles behind rhetorical analysis questions and recognize how authors use persuasive techniques across different texts.

  2. Identify Key Rhetorical Devices -

    Spot common devices such as metaphors, parallelism, and rhetorical questions within our engaging rhetorical devices quiz with confidence and precision.

  3. Analyze Persuasive Strategies -

    Break down how each rhetorical device functions to influence audiences and examine why certain techniques resonate more effectively in context.

  4. Apply Analytical Skills to Texts -

    Practice using insights from our identify rhetorical devices quiz to interpret and dissect device usage in new passages and examples.

  5. Evaluate Rhetoric Effectiveness -

    Assess how different rhetorical device examples shape tone, engage readers, and strengthen arguments in both written and spoken material.

  6. Enhance Your Writing with Devices -

    Leverage your knowledge of rhetoric quizzes online to incorporate powerful rhetorical devices into your own writing for greater clarity and persuasion.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Mastering the Three Appeals -

    Dive into Aristotle's ethos, pathos, and logos to unlock persuasive power; ethos builds trust, pathos stirs emotion, and logos leverages logic, as explained by sources like Purdue OWL. A handy mnemonic - "EPL" (Ethos, Pathos, Logos) - can help you quickly identify appeals in any rhetorical analysis question. Test yourself with rhetoric quizzes online to see how well you spot each appeal in real-world texts.

  2. Spotting Key Tropes and Schemes -

    Learn to identify metaphors, similes, parallelism, and antithesis as outlined by the University of North Carolina Writing Center; for instance, "I came, I saw, I conquered" is a classic parallelism example. Use the mnemonic "TPS" (Tropes, Parallelism, Schemes) when you tackle any rhetorical devices quiz. Practicing with a rhetorical device examples quiz will sharpen your recognition skills in minutes.

  3. Analyzing Structure and Arrangement -

    Focus on how an author organizes introduction, body, and conclusion to enhance persuasion - check out resources from Harvard's Writing Center for structure templates. Remember "ABC" (Attention, Building, Closing) to dissect arrangement in rhetorical analysis questions. Practicing with passages in identify rhetorical devices quiz formats helps you see how structure reinforces the message's impact.

  4. Considering Audience and Purpose -

    Refer to Georgetown University's communication studies for insights on tailoring tone and style to specific audiences; a formal report demands different devices than a social media post. Ask yourself "Who am I talking to?" and "Why now?" when assessing any rhetoric quizzes online. This step ensures you choose the right device - be it emotional, ethical, or logical - to sway your audience effectively.

  5. Practicing with Authentic Texts -

    Apply your skills by dissecting speeches, op-eds, or ads from JSTOR or The Rhetoric Society journals to answer real rhetorical analysis questions. Keep a running log of examples - like identifying anaphora in MLK's speeches - to build a personalized study guide. Regular drills with an identify rhetorical devices quiz or other rhetoric quizzes online will boost your confidence and speed.

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