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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. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






2. 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.






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






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






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






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






7. '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.






8. 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






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






10. The general form - pattern - and manner of expression of a work of literature






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






12. An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research






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






14. A narrative told by a character involved in the story - using first-person pronouns such as I and we.






15. Language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject






16. A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation






17. A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased






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






19. 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






20. A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness - although it may have a serious - scornful purpose.






21. 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.






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






23. A figure of speech that uses the name of one thing to represent something else with which it is associated. Ex: 'The White House says...'






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






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






26. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






28. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






29. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






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






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






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






34. 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






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






36. Poetry written in iambic pentameter - the primary meter used in English poetry and the works of Shakespeare and Milton






37. 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






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






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






40. 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.






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






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






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






44. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






46. A statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before






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






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






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






50. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects