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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. In what type of courses does the author take part ?

2. Who wrote a story about a potentate whose wife died?

3. What should emerge once a story evolves, according to Knight?

4. When the hero is perfect, what does the story lack?

5. What does Knight describe as being a writer's job?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does it mean for a writer to write only what he knows?

2. What tips does Knight give for naming characters?

3. Describe the first stage of the developing writer.

4. Describe some of the traits of the genres that Knight mentions.

5. Why is the first person perspective difficult for the writer?

6. Describe the work habits that a writer must have.

7. How can a writer get out of the first stage of the developing writer?

8. How can a writer avoid the expository lump?

9. What conclusion did Knight come to about teaching students how to write?

10. What is mood?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the different viewpoints that Knight presents in his book. Which is the most advantageous? Which is the most difficult? Why?

Essay Topic 2

What is the importance of revision when it comes to a short story? What elements of a story should be revised? At what point should a writer scrap their work and start over?

Essay Topic 3

Why must a writer be empathetic to create a good piece of work? How does a writer's empathy differ from the empathy of a non-writer? How can a writer learn to empathize?

(see the answer keys)

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