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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 term for the title character of a work of literature






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






3. A brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature






4. A parody of traditional epic form. It usually treats a frivolous topic with extreme seriousness - using conventions such as invocations to the Muse - action-packed battle scenes - and accounts of heroic exploits.






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






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






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






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






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






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






11. A structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative






12. A cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy






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






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






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






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






17. Personal - reflective poetry that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject






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






19. A work of literature dealing with rural life






20. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






21. 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






22. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






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






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






27. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






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






30. A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present






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






32. A character whose name appears in the title of the novel or play; also known as the eponymous character






33. A literary form in which events are exaggerated in order to create an extreme emotional response






34. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






35. The language of a work and its style; words - often highly emotional - used to convince or sway an audience






36. A kind of poetry without rhymed lines - rhythm - or fixed metrical feet






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






38. A feeling of association or identification with an object or person






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






40. 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.






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






42. A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation






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






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






45. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






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






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






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






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