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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. In literature - the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem






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






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






4. A four-line poem or a four-line unit of a longer poem






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






6. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






8. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






10. The resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction






11. A poet; in olden times - a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment






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






13. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






15. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






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






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






19. A character or force in a work of literature that - by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict






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






21. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






22. The excessive pride that often leads tragic heroes to their death






23. A pause somewhere in the middle of a verse - often (but not always) marked by punctuation






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






25. A kind of poetry without rhymed lines - rhythm - or fixed metrical feet






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






27. The Anglo-Saxon language spoken in what is now England from approximately 450 to 1150 A.D.






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






29. A mocking - satirical assault on a person or situation






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






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






32. 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...'






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






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






35. 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






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






37. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






38. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






39. 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






40. 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






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






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






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






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






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






46. A popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme.






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






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






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






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