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






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






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






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






5. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






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






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






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






9. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






16. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






24. 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






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






26. The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase






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






28. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






35. 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






36. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






48. Three periods (. . .) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation






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






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