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






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






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






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






5. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






6. '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.






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






8. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






9. Two rhymed lines written in iambic pentameter and used widely in eighteenth-century verse.






10. A unit of stressed and unstressed syllables used to determine the meter of a poetic line.






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






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






13. A series of comparisons between two unlike objects






14. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






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






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






18. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






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






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






23. 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






24. 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






25. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






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






28. An extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places






29. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






30. 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...'






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






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






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






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






35. 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






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






37. The emotional tone in a work of literature






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






39. 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






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






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






42. Providing hints of things to come in a story or play






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






44. A simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited






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






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






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






48. A synonym for poetry. Also a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry






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






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