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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 pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






3. A concise but ingenious - witty - and thoughtful statement






4. A verse with five poetic feet per line






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






6. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






8. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






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






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






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






12. Faulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects






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






14. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






16. 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






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






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






19. 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...'






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






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






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






23. 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'






24. A term consisting of contradictory elements juxtaposed to create a paradoxical effect






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






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






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






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






29. 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






30. Deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality - objectivity - simplicity - and restraint






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






32. 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






33. A story consisting of events from which a moral or spiritual truth may be derived






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






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






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






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






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






39. A figurative comparison using the words like or as






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






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






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






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






44. 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






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






46. The emotional tone in a work of literature






47. A reference to a person - place - or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea






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






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






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