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






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






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






4. 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'






5. A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things






6. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






7. Poetry written in iambic pentameter - the primary meter used in English poetry and the works of Shakespeare and Milton






8. As distinguished from Apollonian - the word refers to sensual - pleasure-seeking impulses






9. 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






10. A discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of the written or spoken words






11. A short tale often featuring nonhuman characters that act as people whose actions enable the author to make observations or draw useful lessons about human behavior






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






13. The main character in a work of literature






14. The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase






15. A form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity. Ex: He's not a bad dancer






16. The emotional tone in a work of literature






17. 'In the middle of things'--a Latin term for a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events - but at some other critical point.






18. The author's attitude toward the subject being written about. The spirit or quality that is the work's emotional essence






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






20. An extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places






21. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






23. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






24. A narrator with unlimited awareness - understanding - and insight of characters - setting - background - and all other elements of the story






25. A form of verse or prose that tells a story






26. Similar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is.






27. A saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language






28. The relation in which a narrator or speaker stands to the story or subject matter of a poem.






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






30. 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






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






32. A tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood. The character may develop understanding via disillusionment - education - doses of reality - or any other experiences that alter his or her emotional or intellectual maturi






33. A term used to describe literary forms - such as novel - play - and essay






34. A variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse - but sometimes with a satirical thrust






35. The Anglo-Saxon language spoken in what is now England from approximately 450 to 1150 A.D.






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






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






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






39. A story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic - metaphorical - or possibly an ethical meaning






40. A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity






41. Literally - 'seize the day'; enjoy life while you can - a common theme in literature






42. An imaginary story that has become an accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group or society






43. The quickness of intellect and the power and talent for saying brilliant things that suprise and delight by their unexpectedness; the power to comment subtly and pointedly on the foibles of the passing scene






44. The repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals - used mostly in poetry.






45. A reference to a person - place - or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea






46. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






47. A narrative told by a character involved in the story - using first-person pronouns such as I and we.






48. A lyric poem usually marked by serious - respectful - and exalted feeling towards the subject






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






50. A figure of speech in which objects and animals are given human characteristics