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






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






3. A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation






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






5. A literary style used to poke fun at - attack - or ridicule an idea - vice - or foible - often for the purpose of inducing change






6. A structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative






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






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






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






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






12. A four-line poem or a four-line unit of a longer poem






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






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






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






16. 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.






17. Language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject






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






19. A tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood. The character may develop understanding via disillusionment - education - doses of reality - or any other experiences that alter his or her emotional or intellectual maturi






20. 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'






21. A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place






22. 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.






23. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






25. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






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






28. The general form - pattern - and manner of expression of a work of literature






29. The role or facade that a character assumes or depicts to a reader - a viewer - or the world at large






30. Providing hints of things to come in a story or play






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






32. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






33. The high point - or turning point - of a story or play






34. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






36. The relation in which a narrator or speaker stands to the story or subject matter of a poem.






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






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






39. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






48. A unit of stressed and unstressed syllables used to determine the meter of a poetic line.






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






50. 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