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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 situation does Aristotle explain occurs more frequently in tragedy?

2. Aristotle teaches that the beginning of a well-written tragedy starts at what point?

3. The object poetry portrays is what, according to Aristotle?

4. Aristotle says that storytelling with episodic plots is to be favored by whom?

5. What does Aristotle say about the element of surprise in a tragedy?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Aristotle say about the actions described in a tragic plot?

2. Based on Section I of Aristotle's "Poetics", how is the medium specific to poetry similar to and different from prose?

3. How does Aristotle differentiate the arts from one another?

4. What are two reasons Aristotle says that men are drawn to write poetry?

5. According to Aristotle, how does the method of imitation differ?

6. How does Aristotle say that poetry differs from history?

7. Aristotle points out that good poets may also write episodic stories. What reason does he give?

8. Is the unity of plot the same as the unity of a character's actions? Explain.

9. How does Aristotle define comedy as a type of poetry?

10. According to Aristotle, different types of poetry emerge from the personalities of different types of men. What are two examples Aristotle gives in relationship to personality of men and types of poetry?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When constructing the plot, Aristotle says that the poet ought to do what first and why? When should the poet begin to fill out the individual episodes and scenes of the story? Why is it important to construct the plot in this way?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to write about:

1) Based on your interpretation of "Poetics", compare the writing styles and balance of well written poetry versus poorly written poetry.

2) Discuss why a poet, according to Aristotle, must always be sure to keep the plots for his stories simple.

3) Compare history and poetry through the eyes of Aristotle. Explain the mistake many writers make when writing stories from history.

Essay Topic 3

Based on Aristotle's teachings, with what type of actions does tragedy concern itself? How does tragedy accomplish its goals of inspiring certain emotions in the audience? What is the foundation of good poetry writing according to Aristotle?

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