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






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






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






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






5. 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






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






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






8. 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






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






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






11. '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.






12. 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.






13. As distinguished from Apollonian - the word refers to sensual - pleasure-seeking impulses






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






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






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






17. The role or facade that a character assumes or depicts to a reader - a viewer - or the world at large






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






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






20. Grating - inharmonious sounds






21. The implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature






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






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






24. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






26. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words. In the sentence 'May was hot and June the same -' the verb 'was' is omitted from the second clause






27. 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






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






29. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






32. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






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






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






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






38. 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






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






40. The interrelationship among the events in a story; the plot line is the pattern of events - including exposition - rising action - climax - falling action - and resolution.






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






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






43. In literature - the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem






44. A tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood. The character may develop understanding via disillusionment - education - doses of reality - or any other experiences that alter his or her emotional or intellectual maturi






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






46. The emotional tone in a work of literature






47. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






50. 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