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






2. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






5. A work of fiction of roughly 20 -000 to 50 -000 words--longer than a short story - but shorter than a novel






6. 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






7. In contrast to Dionysian - it refers to the most noble - godlike qualities of human nature and behavior






8. '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.






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






10. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






18. A style of writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind






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






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






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






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






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






24. The background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature






25. A quick succession of images or impressions used to express an idea






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






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






28. The main character in a work of literature






29. A word or phrase representing that which can be seen - touched - tasted - smelled - or felt






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






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






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






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






34. A sharp - caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt; different from irony - which is more subtle






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






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






37. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






38. Deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality - objectivity - simplicity - and restraint






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






40. 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






41. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






43. 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






44. A character or force in a work of literature that - by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict






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






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






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






48. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






49. A unit of stressed and unstressed syllables used to determine the meter of a poetic line.






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