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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 figurative comparison using the words like or as






2. 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'






3. The interpretation or analysis of a text.






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






5. 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.






6. A phrase - idea - or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature






7. A literary form in which events are exaggerated in order to create an extreme emotional response






8. 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






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






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






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






12. 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






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






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






15. Pleasing - harmonious sounds






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






17. The emotional tone in a work of literature






18. The choice of words in oral and written discourse






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






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






21. Three periods (. . .) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation






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






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






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






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






26. The manner in which an author uses and arranges words -






27. The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry






28. That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow






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






30. 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






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






32. A poet; in olden times - a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment






33. A term used to describe literary forms - such as novel - play - and essay






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






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






36. Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect






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






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






39. 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






40. A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth






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






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






43. An extended narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero that is generally larger than life and is often considered a legendary figure - i.e. Odysseus - Beowulf - Homer's Iliad - Vergil's Aeneid.






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






45. Inflated - pretentious language used for trivial subjects






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






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






48. 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...'






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






50. The high point - or turning point - of a story or play