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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 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'






2. 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






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






4. A story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic - metaphorical - or possibly an ethical meaning






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






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






7. Similar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is.






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






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






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






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






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






13. A style of writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind






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






15. A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place






16. Language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject






17. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






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






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






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






22. Personal - reflective poetry that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject






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






24. A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present






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






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






27. 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.






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






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






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






31. 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






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






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






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






35. The relation in which a narrator or speaker stands to the story or subject matter of a poem.






36. A verse with five poetic feet per line






37. A forceful sermon - lecture - or tirade






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






39. A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time






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






41. 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.






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






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






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






45. The total environment for the action in a novel or play. It includes time - place - historical milieu - and social - political - and even spiritual circumstances






46. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






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






49. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






50. A short tale often featuring nonhuman characters that act as people whose actions enable the author to make observations or draw useful lessons about human behavior