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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. Which one of the following is not an example of a character trait that will gain an emotional connection with the reader?

2. What is a writer's fundamental responsibility?

3. What can cause a reader to become more engaged with a character?

4. What should a writer do when adding layers to a stereotyped character?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. In what way can the story itself provide a writer with additional characters?

5. What does a character who becomes more heroic convey to the reader?

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

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

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

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

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

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

According to the author, writers have a responsibility to the reader and the world around them.

1) Describe the contract that a writer has with a reader and how it affects the way a story is presented and delivered.

2) Explain writers' responsibility in observing the events that take place in their life, how receptive they should be to them, and the way the events are analyzed when writing fiction.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 891 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample