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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What should the writer's own experiences have in order to be used as fictional inspiration?

2. What do the most engaging characters reveal about themselves?

3. How many basic factors are there common to all forms of narrative writing?

4. What balance must be met when creating an endearing character?

5. According to the author, where do characters come from?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is an event-focused narrative and how much characterization is necessary for it?

2. What is the idea of a story, and how is it used?

3. What are some places that a writer can look to find the inspiration for characters?

4. How does character factor into a narrative and why is it often a complex process?

5. How can writers find characters within themselves?

6. How and why should a writer vary the names used in their stories?

7. What does the author mean when he writes about "raising the emotional stakes"?

8. What techniques can a writer use to raise the emotional stakes?

9. What kind of act is writing and how does it compare to other mediums?

10. What is the role of a major character?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Transformations are a key part to the emotional connection between a reader and a fictional story.

1) Explain how transformations can be misunderstood or feared, and why fiction is a way for people to feel less uncomfortable.

2) Describe the way a character can be transformed in fiction based on external events and characters or events that they have no control over.

3) Describe how characters can transform themselves, the reasons for this type of change, and which stories feature it the most.

4) Describe why it is possible for a character to go through a random transformation, the difficulties in writing it, and how they can be overcome.

5) Analyze the different techniques available to writers when developing a transformation in characters.

Essay Topic 2

Creating names for characters can give the reader clues about those characters' intentions and traits. Describe the selection process for names, what a writer should consider when naming their characters, how and why the names should vary, and what a name can represent. Also, explain the use of a list of characters and their traits along with how it can help writers maintain consistency in their work.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the presentation perspective with the representation perspective. Include a detailed definition of each one and their applications in fiction. Also, provide relevant examples of how a perspective can change a story and its characters.

(see the answer keys)

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