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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. 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






2. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






3. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry






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






5. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






8. A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present






9. A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words - clauses - or sentences: 'They promised freedom but provided slavery'






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






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






12. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






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






16. 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...'






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






18. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






19. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry






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






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






22. A term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation.






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






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






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






26. A term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






39. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






40. 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






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






42. The depiction of people - things - and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect.






43. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






45. 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.






46. 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'






47. 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






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






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






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






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