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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. The manner in which an author uses and arranges words -






2. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






4. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






5. 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






6. A statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before






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






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






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






10. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






12. A brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature






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






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






15. A discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of the written or spoken words






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






17. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






24. 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






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






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






27. Similar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is.






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






29. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






32. 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






33. 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






34. The main character in a work of literature






35. 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






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






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






38. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






40. A German word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal






41. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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