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






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






3. 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






4. 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






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






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






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






8. A narrative told by a character involved in the story - using first-person pronouns such as I and we.






9. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






11. 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






12. 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






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






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






15. 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.






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






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






18. A group of two or more lines in poetry combined according to subject matter - rhyme - or some other plan






19. 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






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






21. A short - pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment






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






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






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






25. Novels written for mass consumption - often emphasizing exciting and titillating plots






26. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






27. 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






28. A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






38. 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.






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






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






41. 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...'






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






43. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






44. A figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole ('fifty masts' for fifty ships) or the whole signifies the part ('days' for life - as in 'He lived his days in Canada'). Also when the name of the material stands for the thing itself ('pigskin'






45. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






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






48. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






49. The background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature






50. 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