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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. According to Cullers in Chapter 6, what form of literature has been studied the most in the 20th century?

2. In the 20th century, what is the most popular form of literature, according to Culler?

3. What era defined rhetoric as "the art of eloquence"?

4. Culler suggests that performative language aids is the understanding of ______________.

5. According to Culler, what power is given to literature by literary performatives?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is poetics, as explained by "Chapter 5, Rhetoric, Poetics, and Poetry"?

2. According to Culler, what prompts a reader to finish reading a novel?

3. Who believed that performative language could be somewhat humorous?

4. According to theorists, what gives the reader the most pleasure when reading a novel?

5. In terms of the "I," what do literary works offer?

6. Why do some theorists believe that popular characterizations in novels create bad influences?

7. According to Chapter 6, from where does unreliable narration typically come?

8. What extra understanding does performative language allow an audience, according to theorists?

9. According to Chapter 5, genre is very important to a reader. Why?

10. How does a rhetorical figure use language in poetry?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Within a novel, there are several different forms of narration. Identify one form of narration and answer the following questions:

1) What does this type of narration accomplish?

2) What is the relationship between the reader and this type of narrator?

3) What are the positives and negatives with this form of narration?

Essay Topic 2

According to Aristotle, three different plot points should appear in any good novel.

1) Identify these plot points.

2) Define these plot points.

3) Analyze why they are important to the structure of a novel.

Essay Topic 3

According to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, words can limit the ability of thought and, therefore, the reading experience.

1) What is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

2) Who created it?

3) What are the implications of this theory, in terms of its impact upon classical literature?

(see the answer keys)

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