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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 rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words - clauses - or sentences: 'They promised freedom but provided slavery'






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






3. The language of a work and its style; words - often highly emotional - used to convince or sway an audience






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






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






6. 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.






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






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






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






10. Grating - inharmonious sounds






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






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






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






14. A kind of poetry without rhymed lines - rhythm - or fixed metrical feet






15. An imaginary story that has become an accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group or society






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






17. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






18. 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






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






20. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






21. The pattern of rhymes within a given poem






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






23. A statement that seems self-contradictory but is nevertheless true






24. French term for the world of books - criticism - and literature in general






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






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






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






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






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






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






31. 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.






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






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






34. A novel focusing on and describing the social customs and habits of a particular social group






35. 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






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






37. A humorous play on words - using similar-sounding or identical words to suggest different meanings






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






39. A group of two or more lines in poetry combined according to subject matter - rhyme - or some other plan






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






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






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






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






44. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






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






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