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AP Literary Terms

Subjects : english, ap, literature
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
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  • Match each statement with the correct term.
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This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






2. An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form






3. A pause somewhere in the middle of a verse - often (but not always) marked by punctuation






4. A synonym for view or feeling; also a refined and tender emotion in literature






5. Language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject






6. The manner in which an author uses and arranges words -






7. A phrase - idea - or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature






8. An episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits. Ex: Don Quixote - Moll Flanders






9. A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea - often stated in figurative language






10. The main idea or meaning - often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built






11. A form of literature in which the hero is destroyed by some character flaw and a set of forces that cause the hero considerable anguish






12. A poet; in olden times - a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment






13. The use of one object to evoke ideas and associations not literally part of the original object






14. A statement that seems self-contradictory but is nevertheless true






15. The excessive pride that often leads tragic heroes to their death






16. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words. In the sentence 'May was hot and June the same -' the verb 'was' is omitted from the second clause






17. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






18. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






19. A figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole ('fifty masts' for fifty ships) or the whole signifies the part ('days' for life - as in 'He lived his days in Canada'). Also when the name of the material stands for the thing itself ('pigskin'






20. One of the ancient Greek goddesses presiding over the arts. The imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer






21. The depiction of people - things - and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect.






22. A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work.






23. A popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme.






24. Also called figure of speech. In contrast to literal language - it implies meanings. Includes metaphors - similes - and personification - among others.






25. The high point - or turning point - of a story or play






26. A simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited






27. The structural form of a line of verse as revealed by the number of feet it contains. For example: monometer = 1foot; tetrameter = 4 feet; pentameter = 5 feet - and so forth






28. A sharp - caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt; different from irony - which is more subtle






29. A novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terrors pervades the action






30. A circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character - ex. Oedipus Rex






31. A piece of writing that reveals weaknesses - faults - frailties - or other shortcomings






32. A mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated - often implying ridicule or light sarcasm; a state of affairs or events that is the reverse of what might have been expected






33. The emotional tone in a work of literature






34. A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words - clauses - or sentences: 'They promised freedom but provided slavery'






35. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






36. Two rhymed lines written in iambic pentameter and used widely in eighteenth-century verse.






37. The resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction






38. A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature






39. French for a novel in which hisotrical events and actual people appear under the guise of fiction






40. The action in a play or story that occurs after the climax and that leads to the conclusion and often to the resolution of the conflict






41. An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing - ex. sun-bright topaz - sun-lit lake - sun-bright lake






42. A humorous play on words - using similar-sounding or identical words to suggest different meanings






43. A mocking - satirical assault on a person or situation






44. The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose






45. A term for the title character of a work of literature






46. A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place






47. The general form - pattern - and manner of expression of a work of literature






48. A sentence that departs from the usual word order of English sentences by expressing its main though only at the end. In other words - the particulars in the sentence are presented before the idea they support.






49. A novel focusing on and describing the social customs and habits of a particular social group






50. The organization of language into meaningful structure; every sentence has a particular pattern of words