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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 brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature






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






3. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






4. 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






5. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






6. A statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before






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






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






9. The emotional tone in a work of literature






10. 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.






11. 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






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






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






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






15. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






21. 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






22. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






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






25. 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.






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






27. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






30. A term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation.






31. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






32. An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing - ex. sun-bright topaz - sun-lit lake - sun-bright lake






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






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






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






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






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






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






39. 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






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






41. A work of literature dealing with rural life






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






49. A verse with five poetic feet per line






50. 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'