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






2. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






5. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






7. 'In the middle of things'--a Latin term for a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events - but at some other critical point.






8. The main character in a work of literature






9. 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






10. A concise but ingenious - witty - and thoughtful statement






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






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






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






14. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






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






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






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






19. A word or phrase representing that which can be seen - touched - tasted - smelled - or felt






20. 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






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






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






23. 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






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






25. A literary style used to poke fun at - attack - or ridicule an idea - vice - or foible - often for the purpose of inducing change






26. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






27. The emotional tone in a work of literature






28. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






39. A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness - although it may have a serious - scornful purpose.






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






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






42. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






43. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






44. Language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject






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






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






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






48. 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






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






50. A person - scene - event - or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set