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






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






3. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






5. The main character in a work of literature






6. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






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






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






10. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






11. The work of poets - particularly those of the seventeenth century - that uses elaborate conceits - is highly intellectual - and expresses the complexities of love and life






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






13. The organization of language into meaningful structure; every sentence has a particular pattern of words






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






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






16. A story consisting of events from which a moral or spiritual truth may be derived






17. The general form - pattern - and manner of expression of a work of literature






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






19. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






22. A brief explanation - summary - or evaluation of a text or work of literature






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






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






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






26. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






28. Providing hints of things to come in a story or play






29. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






31. A group of two or more lines in poetry combined according to subject matter - rhyme - or some other plan






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






33. '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.






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






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






36. 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'






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






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






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






40. The works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied






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






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






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






44. In poetry - the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them






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






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






47. An imaginary story that has become an accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group or society






48. 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






49. 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...'






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