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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 for the title character of a work of literature






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






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






4. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






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






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






8. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






11. The dictionary definition of a word






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






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






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






15. The main character in a work of literature






16. 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.






17. The depiction of people - things - and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect.






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






19. 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






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






21. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






23. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






24. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






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






28. A structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative






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






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






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






32. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






33. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry






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






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






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






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






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






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






40. '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.






41. A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature






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






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






44. A form of literature in which the hero is destroyed by some character flaw and a set of forces that cause the hero considerable anguish






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






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






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






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






49. 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






50. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects