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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. What type of imperfections can be appealing to readers?

2. What place can writers use as inspiration for their characters?

3. What is the author's theory about fiction in Chapter 5?

4. What two ideals is the author blending in Chapter 9?

5. How many different aspects of creative writing are there?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. How can a negative character become more intriguing?

7. How can writers find characters within themselves?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A writer can use a number of different techniques to define their characters.

1) Analyze stereotyping, its uses and application, and examples of how it can be used to introduce characters as well as develop them.

2) Describe a character's network and how it can be used to develop that character.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the reasons why a character must be believable and how a writer can create them in a way that makes them more believable. Use the book as a reference to provide examples of how major characters and minor characters are developed in fiction.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the differences between the "showing" and "telling" style of narration, the purposes of each, and the techniques used for them. Use the book to describe at least 2 examples of each style and what they add to the story.

(see the answer keys)

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