AP Lit Terms - Test 3

Question 1

An atmosphere created by a writer’s diction and the details selected.

Answer 1

Mood

Question 2

A recurring image, word, phrase, action, idea, object, or situation used throughout a work (or in several works by one author), unifying the work by tying the current situation tp previous ones, or new ideas to the theme.

Answer 2

Motif

Question 3

The reasons for a character’s behavior.

Answer 3

Motivation

Question 4

The use of words whose sounds echo their sense.

Answer 4

Onomatopoeia

Question 5

A figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.

Answer 5

Oxymoron

Question 6

A relatively short story that teachs a moral, or lesson, about how to lead a good life.

Answer 6

Parable

Question 7

A statement that appears self-contradictory, but that reveals a kind of truth.

Answer 7

Paradox

Question 8

A paradox used in Zen Buddhism to gain intuitive knowledge.

Answer 8

Koan

Question 9

The repetition of words or phrases that have similar grammatical structures.

Answer 9

Parallel Structure

Question 10

Simply juxtaposes clauses or sentences.

Answer 10

Paratactic Sentence

Question 11

A work that makes fun of another work by imitating some aspect of the writer’s style.

Answer 11

Parody

Question 12

Sentence that places the main idea or central complete thought at the end of the sentance, after all introductory elements.

Answer 12

Periodic

Question 13

A figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes.

Answer 13

Personification

Question 14

The series of related events in a story or play, sometimes called the storyline.

Answer 14

Plot

Question 15

Introduces characters, situation and setting.

Answer 15

Exposition

Question 16

Complicates in conflict and situations (may introduce new ones as well).

Answer 16

Rising Action

Question 17

That point in a plot that creates the greatest intensity, suspense, or interest. Also called “turning point.”

Answer 17

Climax

Question 18

The conclusion of a story, when all or most of the conflicts have been settled; often called the denouement.

Answer 18

Resolution

Question 19

The vantage point from which the writer tells the story.

Answer 19

Point of View

Question 20

An all knowing narrator tells the story, also using the third person pronouns. This narrator, instead of focusing on one character only, often tells us everything about many characters.

Answer 20

Omniscient Point of View

Question 21

A narrator who is totally impersonal and objective tells the story, with no comment on any characters or events.

Answer 21

Objective Point of View

Question 22

One of the characters tells the story.

Answer 22

First Person Point of View

Question 23

An unknown narrator tells the story, but this narrator zooms in to focus on the thoughts and feelings of only one character.

Answer 23

Third Person Point of View

Question 24

Sentance which uses a conjunction with NO commas to separate the items in a series. Instead of X, Y, and Z…one would write X and Y and Z.

Answer 24

Polysyndeton

Question 25

The central character in a story, the one who intitates or drives the action.

Answer 25

Protagonist