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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 term for the title character of a work of literature






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






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 device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities - as in 'ring-giver' for king and 'whale-road' for ocean






5. A French verse form calculated to appear simple and spontaneous but consisting of nineteen lines and a prescribed pattern of rhymes






6. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






7. A pause somewhere in the middle of a verse - often (but not always) marked by punctuation






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






9. 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






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






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






12. 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






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






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






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






16. 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






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






18. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






21. 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.






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






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






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






25. The use of one object to evoke ideas and associations not literally part of the original object






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






27. 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






28. A discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of the written or spoken words






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






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






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






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






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






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






35. 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






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






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






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






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






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






41. The total environment for the action in a novel or play. It includes time - place - historical milieu - and social - political - and even spiritual circumstances






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






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






44. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






45. A simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited






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






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






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






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






50. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem