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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 German word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal






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






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






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






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






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






7. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






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






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






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






12. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






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






14. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






15. 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...'






16. The Anglo-Saxon language spoken in what is now England from approximately 450 to 1150 A.D.






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






18. A saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language






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






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






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






22. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






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






25. A term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish






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






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






28. 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.






29. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






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






32. 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






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






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






35. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






36. 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






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






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






39. 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'






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






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






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






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






44. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






45. 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






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






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






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






49. The background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature






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