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

2. What kind of jeopardy can a character be placed in to evoke an emotional response from the reader?
(a) Physical or emotional, but unbelievable.
(b) Physical or emotional, but believable.
(c) Only physical and believable.
(d) Only emotional and unbelievable.

3. What will many experienced authors claim about their characters?
(a) They were inspired by history.
(b) They were taken from other literary works.
(c) They were taken from life.
(d) They were completely invented for the story.

4. In defining a fictional character, what causes people to behave differently?
(a) The society they live in.
(b) The network they are in.
(c) Their education.
(d) Their age.

5. When an idea is the primary focus, what is the role of the characters?
(a) They define the plot completely.
(b) Simple plot functionaries.
(c) Complex plot functionaries.
(d) They define the plot in some way.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why should sources of inspiration be altered?

2. What does the author hope to give writers who read the book?

3. Which one of the following is not an example of a story where milieu is the prime narrative?

4. What do the two questions the author poses at the end of Chapter 2 add to a novel?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the main point of Chapter 9, "The Hero and the Common Man"?

2. What technique does the author recommend when first introducing a character?

3. Which traits will trigger dislike for a character?

4. As explained in the Introduction, on what are the author's suggestions based?

5. What is the difference between "walk-ons" and minor characters?

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

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

8. What are some of the ways a reader can know a character that is well written?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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