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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 is the name of the writer's conference where Gardner has frequently worked with writing assistants?

2. In Chapter 2, Gardner notes that "The wide range of opinion in a class affords increases the writer's chance of getting a _____."

3. Gardner compares the first thrill of achievement of the writer to that of an oboist or what?

4. Which magazine does Gardner refer to as elegant and rather timid, perfect for selling clothes and fine china?

5. What publishing house did Gardner send Grendel to first?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Gardner open Chapter 3 with, regarding the young writer's focus on publication?

2. What does Gardner say of editors in Chapter 3? What can one do to appeal to an editor?

3. What are Gardner's workshops like for writers?

4. What brings the author feelings of virtue in Chapter 2?

5. What does Gardner say regarding the study of philosophy and psychology?

6. Are all good writers good teachers? What does Gardner say of this in Chapter 2?

7. What does Gardner write of writers' workshops in Chapter 2?

8. What should the successful teacher do for his writing students, according to Gardner?

9. Why is writing usually rejected, according to Gardner?

10. What does Gardner say of finding support for the author in Chapter 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss what Gardner refers to as "faith" in the final chapter. Where does the author find faith? How should the author go about escaping writer's block?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss what Gardner refers to as "special intelligence" in the writer. How does Gardner's definition of intelligence differ from the dictionary definition?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the qualities which make a good or a bad teacher in a fiction writing class. What are some of the "red flags" which indicate an author should leave the program?

(see the answer keys)

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