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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. Who are the two authors that Anne says have written well about plot?

2. Instead of writing towards a plot, what does Anne suggest?

3. How does Anne define clutter?

4. How does knowledge of your characters emerge, according to Anne?

5. What image does Anne use to help her gather dialog for characters?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the one-inch picture frame on Anne's desk put her in the mind to write a short assignment?

2. Plot is the main part of your story. How does the plot best grow organically, according to Anne?

3. How does Anne suggest writing about school lunches be beneficial for a writer?

4. In Part 2, The Writing Frame of Mind, Section 1, Looking Around, what is writing about, and how do we see the writer?

5. How does Anne suggest writers offer hope to readers?

6. How does Anne compare writing a first draft to watching a Polaroid develop?

7. Alice Adams suggests the ABDCE formula for writing a short story. How can formulas be a great way to get us started?

8. How do you know when you are done, according to Anne?

9. How does Anne state dialogue affects a reader?

10. How does Anne say perfectionism affects writing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Anne likens the process of writing a first draft to a Polaroid picture developing. Compare and contrast the two.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast finding a writing partner to forming a reading group, and discuss the effectiveness of both.

Essay Topic 3

Why is publication so important so some writers? Do you think these people will ever see writing its own reward? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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