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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. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






2. A term often used as a synonym for realism - also a view of experience that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic.






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






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






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






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






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






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






9. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






10. A person - scene - event - or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set






11. The main character in a work of literature






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






13. A work of literature dealing with rural life






14. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






15. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






16. A tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood. The character may develop understanding via disillusionment - education - doses of reality - or any other experiences that alter his or her emotional or intellectual maturi






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






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






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






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






21. 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.






22. 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






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






24. 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






25. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






26. The quickness of intellect and the power and talent for saying brilliant things that suprise and delight by their unexpectedness; the power to comment subtly and pointedly on the foibles of the passing scene






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






28. A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature






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






30. The structural form of a line of verse as revealed by the number of feet it contains. For example: monometer = 1foot; tetrameter = 4 feet; pentameter = 5 feet - and so forth






31. 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






32. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






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






36. 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






37. In literature - the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem






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






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






40. 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...'






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






42. A novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terrors pervades the action






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






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






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






46. A poet; in olden times - a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment






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






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






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






50. 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.







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