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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. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






3. 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...'






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






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






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






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






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






9. The main character in a work of literature






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






11. 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'






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






13. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






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






16. 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






17. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






18. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






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






21. The act of determining the meter of a poetic line.






22. A story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic - metaphorical - or possibly an ethical meaning






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






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






25. 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






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






27. A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea - often stated in figurative language






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






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






30. 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






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






32. 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






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






34. A feeling of association or identification with an object or person






35. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






36. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






37. A story consisting of events from which a moral or spiritual truth may be derived






38. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






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






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






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






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






44. The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose






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






46. The emotional tone in a work of literature






47. Novels written for mass consumption - often emphasizing exciting and titillating plots






48. An imaginary story that has become an accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group or society






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






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