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






2. 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






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






4. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






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






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






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






9. 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.






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






11. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






13. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






14. 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






15. 'In the middle of things'--a Latin term for a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events - but at some other critical point.






16. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






17. 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






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






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






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






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






22. A sharp - caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt; different from irony - which is more subtle






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






24. A humorous play on words - using similar-sounding or identical words to suggest different meanings






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






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






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






28. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






37. 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






38. A word or phrase representing that which can be seen - touched - tasted - smelled - or felt






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






40. The dictionary definition of a word






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






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






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






44. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






45. 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






46. A form of verse or prose that tells a story






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






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






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






50. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects