English Literature Vocabulary Exam
1. Abstract - ANS -An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work
of scholarship or research
2. Adage - ANS -A saying or proverb containing a truth based
on experience and often couched in metaphorical
language
3. Allegory - ANS -A story in which the narrative or
characters carry an underlying symbolic, metaphorical, or
possibly an ethical meaning
4. Alliteration - ANS -The repetition of one or more initial
consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose
5. Allusion - ANS -A reference to a person, place, or event
meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an
idea
6. Ambiguity - ANS -A vagueness of meaning; a conscious
lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and
interpretation
,7. Anachronism - ANS -A person, scene, event, or other
element in literature that fails to correspond with the time
or era in which the work is set
8. Analogy - ANS -A comparison that points out similarities
between two dissimilar things
9. Annotation - ANS -A brief explanation, summary, or
evaluation of a text or work of literature
10. Antagonist - ANS -A character or force in a work of
literature that, by opposing the protagonist produces
tension or conflict
11. Antithesis - ANS -A rhetorical opposition or contrast
of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words,
clauses, or sentences: "They promised freedom but
provided slavery"
12. Aphorism - ANS -A short, pithy statement of a
generally accepted truth or sentiment
,13. Apollonian - ANS -In contrast to Dionysian, it refers to
the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and
behavior
14. Apostrophe - ANS -A locution that addresses a person
or personified thing not present
15. Archetype - ANS -An abstract or ideal conception of a
type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or
form
16. Assonance - ANS -The repetition of two or more
vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and
prose
17. Ballad - ANS -A simple narrative verse that tells a
story that is sung or recited
18. Bard - ANS -A poet; in olden times, a performer who
told heroic stories to musical accompaniment
19. Bathos - ANS -The use of insincere or overdone
sentimentality
, 20. Belle-lettres - ANS -French term for the world of
books, criticism, and literature in general
21. Bibliography - ANS -A list of works cited or otherwise
relevant to a subject or other work.
22. Bildungsroman - ANS -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
23. Blank verse - ANS -Poetry written in iambic
pentameter, the primary meter used in English poetry and
the works of Shakespeare and Milton
24. Bombast - ANS -Inflated, pretentious language used
for trivial subjects
25. Burlesque - ANS -A work of literature meant to
ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation
26. Cacophony - ANS -Grating, inharmonious sounds
1. Abstract - ANS -An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work
of scholarship or research
2. Adage - ANS -A saying or proverb containing a truth based
on experience and often couched in metaphorical
language
3. Allegory - ANS -A story in which the narrative or
characters carry an underlying symbolic, metaphorical, or
possibly an ethical meaning
4. Alliteration - ANS -The repetition of one or more initial
consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose
5. Allusion - ANS -A reference to a person, place, or event
meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an
idea
6. Ambiguity - ANS -A vagueness of meaning; a conscious
lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and
interpretation
,7. Anachronism - ANS -A person, scene, event, or other
element in literature that fails to correspond with the time
or era in which the work is set
8. Analogy - ANS -A comparison that points out similarities
between two dissimilar things
9. Annotation - ANS -A brief explanation, summary, or
evaluation of a text or work of literature
10. Antagonist - ANS -A character or force in a work of
literature that, by opposing the protagonist produces
tension or conflict
11. Antithesis - ANS -A rhetorical opposition or contrast
of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words,
clauses, or sentences: "They promised freedom but
provided slavery"
12. Aphorism - ANS -A short, pithy statement of a
generally accepted truth or sentiment
,13. Apollonian - ANS -In contrast to Dionysian, it refers to
the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and
behavior
14. Apostrophe - ANS -A locution that addresses a person
or personified thing not present
15. Archetype - ANS -An abstract or ideal conception of a
type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or
form
16. Assonance - ANS -The repetition of two or more
vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and
prose
17. Ballad - ANS -A simple narrative verse that tells a
story that is sung or recited
18. Bard - ANS -A poet; in olden times, a performer who
told heroic stories to musical accompaniment
19. Bathos - ANS -The use of insincere or overdone
sentimentality
, 20. Belle-lettres - ANS -French term for the world of
books, criticism, and literature in general
21. Bibliography - ANS -A list of works cited or otherwise
relevant to a subject or other work.
22. Bildungsroman - ANS -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
23. Blank verse - ANS -Poetry written in iambic
pentameter, the primary meter used in English poetry and
the works of Shakespeare and Milton
24. Bombast - ANS -Inflated, pretentious language used
for trivial subjects
25. Burlesque - ANS -A work of literature meant to
ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation
26. Cacophony - ANS -Grating, inharmonious sounds
