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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. Two rhymed lines written in iambic pentameter and used widely in eighteenth-century verse.






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






3. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






5. The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose






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






7. 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






8. 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.






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






10. 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






11. The dictionary definition of a word






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






13. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






14. The works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied






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






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






17. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






18. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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






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






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






23. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






25. 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






26. A term for the title character of a work of literature






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






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






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






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






31. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






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






34. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






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






37. A novel focusing on and describing the social customs and habits of a particular social group






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






39. A German word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal






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






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






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






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






44. 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.






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






46. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






48. A term used to describe literary forms - such as novel - play - and essay






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






50. A work of fiction of roughly 20 -000 to 50 -000 words--longer than a short story - but shorter than a novel