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






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






3. A subordinate or minor collection of events in a novel or play - usually connected to the main plot






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






5. 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






6. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






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






9. An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form






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






11. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






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






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






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






16. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






18. The works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied






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






20. 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.






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






22. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






23. 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






24. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






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






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






28. A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things






29. The emotional tone in a work of literature






30. 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






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






32. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






35. 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.






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






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






38. 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






39. The dictionary definition of a word






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






41. The action in a play or story that occurs after the climax and that leads to the conclusion and often to the resolution of the conflict






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






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






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






45. A term for the title character of a work of literature






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






47. A brief explanation - summary - or evaluation of a text or work of literature






48. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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