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






2. The implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature






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






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






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






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






7. In poetry - the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them






8. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






9. The act of determining the meter of a poetic line.






10. A subordinate or minor collection of events in a novel or play - usually connected to the main plot






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






12. French term for the world of books - criticism - and literature in general






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






14. 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.






15. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






16. An extended narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero that is generally larger than life and is often considered a legendary figure - i.e. Odysseus - Beowulf - Homer's Iliad - Vergil's Aeneid.






17. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






20. A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation






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






22. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






23. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






25. 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.






26. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






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






29. The total environment for the action in a novel or play. It includes time - place - historical milieu - and social - political - and even spiritual circumstances






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






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






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






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






34. A device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities - as in 'ring-giver' for king and 'whale-road' for ocean






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






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






37. 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






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






39. 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






40. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






41. The generic name for a figure of speech such as image - symbol - simile - and metaphor






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






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






44. 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.






45. A return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present action or circumstances.






46. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






48. A concise but ingenious - witty - and thoughtful statement






49. 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






50. An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research