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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. How does the author define an idea?

2. What kind of traits should a writer use when first introducing a character?

3. Which of the following is not an example of a minor character's function?

4. What type of physical appearance can make a character more engaging?

5. How necessary is it for characters to be more than stereotypes in a narrative where an idea is the primary focus?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What techniques does the author describe in Chapter 3 about characters from unrelated ideas?

4. What is milieu and which types of stories feature it as the main narrative?

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

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

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

8. What is the intent of the author in "Characters and Viewpoint"?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the different techniques used to make a character more appealing and the ones used to generate a negative response. Also, explain how the events are affected by characters, the initial impressions, and how they are developed throughout a narrative. Be sure to include examples that display the overall purposes for a positive or negative character.

Essay Topic 2

There are four basic factors that can be found in all narrative writing.

1) Describe milieu, how it works, and which stories feature it as the primary narrative.

2) Explain what the idea of a story is, which stories revolve around it, and how it changes the way the characters are developed.

3) Define character, the difficulties associated with a narrative based on character, and the techniques a writer can use to overcome them.

4) Explain what the event is, which types of stories are based on it, and the way fiction can use events to help make reality seem more logical.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the different voices people use and how they can change depending on the situation. Then, explain how those voices are incorporated into fiction, and which steps a writer takes in deciding the voice and tense of the narrator for their story.

(see the answer keys)

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