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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.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

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






2. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






10. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






12. A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time






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






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






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






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






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






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






19. 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






20. 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.






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






22. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






28. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






30. A novel focusing on and describing the social customs and habits of a particular social group






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






32. 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






33. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






35. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






37. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






38. The dictionary definition of a word






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






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






41. A mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term; i.e. 'pass away' instead of 'die'






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






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






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






45. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






47. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






50. A return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present action or circumstances.