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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. 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






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






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






4. 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






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






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






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






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






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






10. A sharp - caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt; different from irony - which is more subtle






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






12. The emotional tone in a work of literature






13. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






22. An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing - ex. sun-bright topaz - sun-lit lake - sun-bright lake






23. A brief explanation - summary - or evaluation of a text or work of literature






24. 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.






25. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






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






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






29. A novel focusing on and describing the social customs and habits of a particular social group






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






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






32. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






39. 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...'






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






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






42. A figure of speech that compares unlike objects






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






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






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






46. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






47. 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'






48. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






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