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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. In poetry - the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them






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






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






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






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






6. 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






7. 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






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






9. The dictionary definition of a word






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






17. A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea - often stated in figurative language






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






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






20. The author's attitude toward the subject being written about. The spirit or quality that is the work's emotional essence






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






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






23. 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






24. A story containing unreal - imaginary features






25. 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.






26. The excessive pride that often leads tragic heroes to their death






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






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






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






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






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






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






33. A brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature






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






35. The quickness of intellect and the power and talent for saying brilliant things that suprise and delight by their unexpectedness; the power to comment subtly and pointedly on the foibles of the passing scene






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






37. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






38. A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation






39. A term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation.






40. A popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme.






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






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






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






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






45. A group of two or more lines in poetry combined according to subject matter - rhyme - or some other plan






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






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






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






49. The main idea or meaning - often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built






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