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






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






3. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






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






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






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






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






9. The main character in a work of literature






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






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






12. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






13. French for a novel in which hisotrical events and actual people appear under the guise of fiction






14. 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






15. A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased






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. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






19. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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






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






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






25. The action in a play or story that occurs after the climax and that leads to the conclusion and often to the resolution of the conflict






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






27. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






29. The role or facade that a character assumes or depicts to a reader - a viewer - or the world at large






30. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






31. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






41. The total environment for the action in a novel or play. It includes time - place - historical milieu - and social - political - and even spiritual circumstances






42. 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.






43. A form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity. Ex: He's not a bad dancer






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






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






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






47. 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'






48. 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






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






50. 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







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