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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. In literature - the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem






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






3. A term often used as a synonym for realism - also a view of experience that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic.






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






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






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






7. A style of writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind






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






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






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






11. A poem or prose selection that laments or mediates on the passing or death of something or someone of value






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






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






14. 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






15. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






17. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






18. A word or phrase representing that which can be seen - touched - tasted - smelled - or felt






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






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






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






22. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






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






25. 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






26. The real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker






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






28. A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness - although it may have a serious - scornful purpose.






29. 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






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






31. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






33. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






35. '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.






36. The interrelationship among the events in a story; the plot line is the pattern of events - including exposition - rising action - climax - falling action - and resolution.






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






38. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






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






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






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






43. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






45. The language spoken in England roughly between 1150 and 1500 A.D.






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






47. 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...'






48. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






49. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






50. A quick succession of images or impressions used to express an idea







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