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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.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

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 the middle of things'--a Latin term for a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events - but at some other critical point.






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






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






4. A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness - although it may have a serious - scornful purpose.






5. French term for the world of books - criticism - and literature in general






6. A synonym for poetry. Also a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry






7. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






8. A form of literature in which the hero is destroyed by some character flaw and a set of forces that cause the hero considerable anguish






9. 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






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






11. The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality






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






13. A statement that seems self-contradictory but is nevertheless true






14. An extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places






15. A direct verbal assault; a denunciation






16. The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning






17. A person - scene - event - or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set






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






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






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






21. The main character in a work of literature






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






23. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






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






25. The interrelationship among the events in a story; the plot line is the pattern of events - including exposition - rising action - climax - falling action - and resolution.






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






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






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






29. 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.






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






31. A character or force in a work of literature that - by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict






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






33. An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem






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






35. A form of verse or prose that tells a story






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






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






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






39. A pair of rhyming lines in a poem






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






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






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






43. A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words. In the sentence 'May was hot and June the same -' the verb 'was' is omitted from the second clause






44. The works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied






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






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






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






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






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






50. 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