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






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






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






4. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






5. The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose






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






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






8. 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






9. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






10. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






11. 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






12. A popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme.






13. '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.






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






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






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






17. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






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






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






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






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






23. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






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






26. An extended narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero that is generally larger than life and is often considered a legendary figure - i.e. Odysseus - Beowulf - Homer's Iliad - Vergil's Aeneid.






27. A mocking - satirical assault on a person or situation






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






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






30. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






32. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






34. 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.






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






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






37. The main character in a work of literature






38. A figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole ('fifty masts' for fifty ships) or the whole signifies the part ('days' for life - as in 'He lived his days in Canada'). Also when the name of the material stands for the thing itself ('pigskin'






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






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






41. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






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






44. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






47. A term consisting of contradictory elements juxtaposed to create a paradoxical effect






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






49. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






50. 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