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






2. The main character in a work of literature






3. 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.






4. A piece of writing that reveals weaknesses - faults - frailties - or other shortcomings






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






6. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






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






10. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






16. The generic name for a figure of speech such as image - symbol - simile - and metaphor






17. 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






18. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry






19. The emotional tone in a work of literature






20. The real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker






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






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






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






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






25. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






26. An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing - ex. sun-bright topaz - sun-lit lake - sun-bright lake






27. A version of a text put into simpler - everyday words






28. A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work.






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






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






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






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






33. 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






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






35. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






36. The language spoken in England roughly between 1150 and 1500 A.D.






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






38. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






39. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






41. The main idea or meaning - often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built






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






43. A literary form in which events are exaggerated in order to create an extreme emotional response






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






45. 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






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






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






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






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






50. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation