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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.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

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 short - pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment






2. 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






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






4. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






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






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






9. A synonym for poetry. Also a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry






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






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






12. 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...'






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






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






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






16. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






17. 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.






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






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






20. A version of a text put into simpler - everyday words






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






22. The main idea or meaning - often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built






23. 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






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






25. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






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






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






30. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






32. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






40. A French verse form calculated to appear simple and spontaneous but consisting of nineteen lines and a prescribed pattern of rhymes






41. 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.






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






43. 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.






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






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






46. Three periods (. . .) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation






47. A term consisting of contradictory elements juxtaposed to create a paradoxical effect






48. 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






49. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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