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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 repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry






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






3. The work of poets - particularly those of the seventeenth century - that uses elaborate conceits - is highly intellectual - and expresses the complexities of love and life






4. Providing hints of things to come in a story or play






5. A brief explanation - summary - or evaluation of a text or work of literature






6. A term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation.






7. Also called 'pen name' or 'nom de plume'; a false name or alias used by writers. Ex: Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)






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






9. A story consisting of events from which a moral or spiritual truth may be derived






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






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






12. A character or force in a work of literature that - by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict






13. The main character in a work of literature






14. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






15. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






16. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






18. A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things






19. A figure of speech that uses the name of one thing to represent something else with which it is associated. Ex: 'The White House says...'






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






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






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






23. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






25. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






26. A person - scene - event - or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set






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






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






29. In contrast to Dionysian - it refers to the most noble - godlike qualities of human nature and behavior






30. A sentence that follows the customary word order of English sentences - i.e. subject-verb-object. The main idea of the sentence is presented first and is then followed by one or more subordinate clauses






31. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






33. 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.






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. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






36. Deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality - objectivity - simplicity - and restraint






37. A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased






38. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






40. A mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term; i.e. 'pass away' instead of 'die'






41. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry






42. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






43. 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'






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






45. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






47. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry






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






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






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