Rhetoric/Author's Purpose
Rhetorical Appeals
Dramatic Conventions
Steel Magnolias
Steel Magnolias
100

What is "rhetoric?" 

A. Giving speeches

B. The art of intimidating people

C. A metaphor

D. The art of persuasive communication 

D. The art of persuasive communication. 
100

"By donating only 50 cents a day, you can help give a suffering child clean drinking water."

A. ethos

B. logos

C. pathos

C. pathos 

100

In drama, what is an "aside?" 

A. A snarky comment made from one character to anoher 

B. A speech given by one character

C. A character directly addressing the audience 

D. A dialogue between two or more characters 

C. A character directly addressing the audience

100

Which statement best sums up Shelby's outlook on life? 

A. "I twirled to the music from 'Hawaii 5-0.' It was my theme song."

B. "I would rather have 30 minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special."

C. "Don't talk about me like I'm not here." 

D. "I'm going to leave if you don't leave me alone." 

B. "I would rather have 30 minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special."

100

What does this play say about female relationships?

A. Women thrive and grow stronger when they have a community of supportive women to help them overcome obstacles.

B. Women rarely create a strong bond of sisterhood with those around them. 

C. Sometimes family is more about who you choose to include in your life than blood relations. 

D. Women are often competitive and jealous of one another. 

A. Women thrive and grow stronger when they have a community of supportive women to help them overcome obstacles.

200

What are the three major rhetorical appeals? 

A. logos, ethos, pathos

B. logos, bogos, pathos

C. ethos, pathos, tone

D. figurative language 

A. logos, ethos, pathos

200

"The Centers for Disease Control recommends getting a flu vacine each fall." 

A. ethos 

B. logos 

C. pathos

A. ethos 

200

What is a "sililoquy?"

A. A character directly addressing the audience 

B. A monologue to one's self; often thoughts out loud 

C. A long speech given to a large audience 

D. A critique of one character's speech 

B. A monologue to one's self; often thoughts out loud 

200

Why is the setting of Steel Magnolias based in a hair salon?

A. It provides a safe space for women to speek freely to one another in sisterhood.

B. It offers little protection from the outside world and its judgments. 

C. It is a place of familiarity and comfort to Truvy. 

D. It is a hostile place where true emotions reveal themselves. 

A. It provides a safe space for women to speek freely to one another in sisterhood.

200

Which of the following is NOT a possible theme from Steel Magnolias?

A. Life is a series of constant changes for women, including love, careers, marriage, motherhood, and death.

B. The cycle of life is continuous and time is too precious to waste on regrets, insecurities, fear, or anger. 

C. The majority of women are better off single.

D. Life is precious and must be cherished--sometimes life itself becomes the ultimate gift and sacrifice.  

C. The majority of women are better off single.

300

Authors write with an intended purpose. What are three of the most common purposes for writing?

A. inform, persuade, entertain 

B. inform, entertain, confuse

C. persuade, entertain, lecture

D. persuade, reform, reprimand

A. inform, persuade, entertain 

300

"Since my little brother has to start school before me, I should let him shower first."

A. ethos

B. logos

C. pathos 

B. logos

300

What type of drama best categorizes Steel Magnolias?

A. Melodrama 

B. Tragedy 

C. Comedy

D. Tragicomedy 

D. Tragicomedy 

300

What does the conversation about the Miss Merry Christmas Pageant reveal? 

A. Society values and encourages the intellectual pursuits of young women. 

B. Society values superficial beauty and often overlooks true talent or wisdom.

C. The judges of the pageant are actually corrupt and often play favorites. 

D. The success of the pageant winner often predicts the future success of that young lady in town. 

B. Society values superficial beauty and often overlooks true talent or wisdom.

300

How does the author represent dialogue that is realistic, or a "slice of life?"

A. The dialogue is error free, reflecting normal speech.

B. The dialogue is crisp, witty, and full of banter that reflects friendship.

C. The dialogue is intentionally vague and full of mystery.

D. The dialogue is imperfect, full of fragments, comma splices, and run on sentences that reflect normal speech. 

B. The dialogue is crisp, witty, and full of banter that reflects friendship.

400

You want to convince your parents to let you borrow their car. Use LOGOS:

A. You are a good driver who has never gotten a speeding ticket or been in an accident.

B. You guilt trip them by reminding them that your sister is allowed to go wherever she wants.

C. You promise you will call them as soon as you get there/when you leave, and that you will fill the gas tank.

D. You lie about where you are going. 

A. You are a good driver who has never gotten a ticket or been in an accident. 

400

"Nearly 33% of all car accidents are caused by drivers using cell phones will driving."

A. ethos

B. logos

C. pathos 

B. logos 

400

What irony about the strength of men and women is touched on by M'Lynne during Shelby's passing? 

A. The men, symbols of strength, are unable to stay in the room when the machines are turned off--leaving M'Lynne and Shelby alone. 

B. The women, seen as fragile, display a different kind of strength to get through hardship.

C. The men and women are equally strong enough to say goodbye to Shelby.

D. Both A and B

D. Both A and B

400

How might the radio symbolize Shelby?

A. It continues to play at the end, leaving a lasting impression of Shelby who will never really leave them. 

B. It is a gift to Truvy, but everyone still refers to it as Shelby's radio--a tribute to her lasting legacy of generosity. 

C. It represents Shelby and her failing health, as it plays fine at first, then fades as Shelby's last health degenerates. 

D. All of the above. 

D. All of the above. 

500

You are arguing with a friend that your favorite movie is better than theirs. Use ETHOS: 

A. You point out how few awards your movie has won.

B. You point out all the A-list celebrities that are in the movie. 

C. You tell them how terrible the acting is in their favorite movie. 

D. You tell them that movie critics have given your movie a much higher rating. 

D. You tell them that the movie critics have given your movie a much higher rating. 

500

"My coach suggested I cross-train on Sundays to work different muscle groups."

A. ethos

B. logos

C. pathos 

A. ethos 

500

Why are the changing of the seasons significant throughout the play?

A. They foreshadow events, both happy and sad.

B. They reflect the changing seasons in the women's lives and represent important rituals and traditions. 

C. They represent a resistance to change present in most of the women. 

D. They represent hardship and obstacles to be overcome. 

A. They foreshadow events, both happy and sad. 

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