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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which one of the following is not an example of a character trait that will gain an emotional connection with the reader?
(a) Ambiguity.
(b) Positive attitude.
(c) Negativity.
(d) Cleverness.

2. Which of the following is not an example of a broad stroke definition?
(a) Antagonistic/responsive.
(b) Old/young.
(c) Big/small.
(d) Male/female.

3. What does having more complex characters lead to?
(a) More confusion.
(b) Less confusion.
(c) More possibilities.
(d) Less possibilities.

4. Why should sources of inspiration be altered?
(a) To make them more effective.
(b) To make them more unrealistic
(c) To make them more familiar.
(d) To make them more mysterious.

5. How many ways are there to know a character?
(a) None.
(b) Only one.
(c) Several.
(d) A few.

Short Answer Questions

1. What part of a character's name provides a clear starting point for defining that character's context?

2. What technique can help avoid cliché?

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

4. What does the author think about characters from unrelated ideas?

5. What word is used to describe the life ideally given to fictional characters?

Short Essay Questions

1. How well do readers want to know the fictional characters they are reading about, and what is the purpose of fiction in general?

2. What is the contract that a writer makes with a reader, and when is it introduced?

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

4. What are the main functions of major and minor characters, and how can a writer achieve them?

5. What is writing based on "issue", and how can it be a source for characters?

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

7. How does a writer create a strong initial impression for a character?

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

9. What is the role of a major character?

10. What are some characteristics that make characters more appealing in general?

(see the answer keys)

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