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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 story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic - metaphorical - or possibly an ethical meaning






2. 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






3. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






4. The use of one object to evoke ideas and associations not literally part of the original object






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






6. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






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






10. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






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






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






14. 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'






15. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






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






18. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






21. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






22. A term often used as a synonym for realism - also a view of experience that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic.






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






24. Two rhymed lines written in iambic pentameter and used widely in eighteenth-century verse.






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






26. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






28. The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry






29. An extended narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero that is generally larger than life and is often considered a legendary figure - i.e. Odysseus - Beowulf - Homer's Iliad - Vergil's Aeneid.






30. Grating - inharmonious sounds






31. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






32. The real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker






33. A humorous play on words - using similar-sounding or identical words to suggest different meanings






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






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






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






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






38. The main idea or meaning - often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built






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






40. A work of fiction of roughly 20 -000 to 50 -000 words--longer than a short story - but shorter than a novel






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






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






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






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






45. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






46. 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






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






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






49. The dictionary definition of a word






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