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

2. How does Chapter 1 end?

3. What should the writer's own experiences have in order to be used as fictional inspiration?

4. What type of imperfections can be appealing to readers?

5. Why does a character in a novel pursue a transformation in his/her life?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the role of a major character?

2. What is a helpful tip about keeping track of character names that the author provides at the end of Chapter 4?

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

4. What is an event-focused narrative and how much characterization is necessary for it?

5. How can a negative character become more intriguing?

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

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

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

9. Is it possible to use less characterization in a story?

10. How can writers find characters within themselves?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the main purpose of writing by answering the following:

1) What is the purpose of fiction and characters that are written effectively?

2) What is the expectations that a reader has of a fictional story and why?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Compare and contrast the hierarchy of the three types of characters in fiction. Use the book to provide and describe examples of walk-ons, minor characters, and major characters, the main functions of each, and any similarities between them.

(see the answer keys)

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