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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 that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish






2. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






3. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






13. Faulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects






14. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






16. 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






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






18. The author's attitude toward the subject being written about. The spirit or quality that is the work's emotional essence






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






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






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






22. A circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character - ex. Oedipus Rex






23. 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






24. 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'






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






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






27. A verse with five poetic feet per line






28. One of the ancient Greek goddesses presiding over the arts. The imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer






29. 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...'






30. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






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






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






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






36. A variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse - but sometimes with a satirical thrust






37. A subordinate or minor collection of events in a novel or play - usually connected to the main plot






38. A piece of writing that reveals weaknesses - faults - frailties - or other shortcomings






39. The emotional tone in a work of literature






40. A novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terrors pervades the action






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






42. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






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






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






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






47. Similar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is.






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






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






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







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