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






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






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






4. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






6. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






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






9. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






11. 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'






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






13. 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






14. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






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






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






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






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






20. The language spoken in England roughly between 1150 and 1500 A.D.






21. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words. In the sentence 'May was hot and June the same -' the verb 'was' is omitted from the second clause






22. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






23. A return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present action or circumstances.






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






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






26. A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity






27. The role or facade that a character assumes or depicts to a reader - a viewer - or the world at large






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






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






30. An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form






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






32. A synonym for view or feeling; also a refined and tender emotion in literature






33. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






35. The emotional tone in a work of literature






36. 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






37. The dictionary definition of a word






38. '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.






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






40. A form of verse or prose that tells a story






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






42. The manner in which an author uses and arranges words -






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






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






45. 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






46. One of the ancient Greek goddesses presiding over the arts. The imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer






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






48. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






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






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