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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 do the motives of a believable character affect the direction of the story?

2. How does a flashback affect the present narrative?

3. In comedy, how should a transformation be presented?

4. According to the author in Chapter 13, what is the writer's responsibility?

5. What type of humor is injected into a comedy?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the topic of transformations lead the author to an important reason that fiction exists?

2. What is the difference between a presentation and a representation perspective?

3. What are some of the limitations and advantages of the first person narrative?

4. What happens when a reader interprets a change in a character that was not intended?

5. In what ways can a character change him/herself?

6. What is the difference between first person narrative and third person narrative?

7. What is the author's theory of how people experience transformations in life?

8. What can contribute to a powerful sense of attitude for a character?

9. How does the importance of a character affect the change undergone, and what effect does it have on the writing of the narrative?

10. What is the value of justification and how does a writer decide the amount to include in a story?

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

Although the sources of inspiration are unlimited, analyze the following three places that a writer can find ideas for new characters.

1) Describe all of the people, places, and events in a person's life that can provide ideas for characters.

2) Explain how writers can find new characters within themselves and how those characters can be applied to fiction.

3) Describe the process for finding new characters in the story itself as well as the past experiences of existing characters.

Essay Topic 3

The narrator is a crucial part of fiction because he/she is responsible for telling the story. 1) Describe a first person narrative, its advantages and disadvantages, and the techniques a writer uses when writing in first person.

2) Describe the advantages and disadvantages of a third person narrative, including the differences between the omniscient and viewpoint narrator.

3) Explain the importance of the narration in fiction and how it can be written to engage the reader fully.

(see the answer keys)

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