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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. Culler suggests that the occasional confusion that results from the use of metaphor is due to __________.

2. The way the plot is presented is referred to as the ________.

3. According to some theorists, what idea was created by literature?

4. In Chapter 8, what forms of entertainment encourage feelings and virtue?

5. In literature, what is it called when events take place opposite of expectation?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to theorists, what gives the reader the most pleasure when reading a novel?

2. According to Chapter 5, what is rhetoric?

3. In terms of the "I," what is the product of someone's core?

4. Who believed that performative language could be somewhat humorous?

5. According to Chapter 7, who developed the idea of performative language?

6. According to Chapter 7, what is accomplished by attempting to identify literary performatives?

7. Who believed that performative language had to be serious in order to set a standard?

8. What is the occasional confusion that results from the use of metaphor?

9. What is poetics, as explained by "Chapter 5, Rhetoric, Poetics, and Poetry"?

10. Why do some theorists believe that popular characterizations in novels create bad influences?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Literary performatives shape the use and meaning of language. Write an essay, examining the following:

1) What are the rules of literary performatives?

2) What is accomplished by literary performatives?

3) Why is the study of literary performatives significant to literature?

Essay Topic 2

Readers identify with characters in literature. Theorists believe this identification can accomplish many things, both on a personal and societal level. Write an essay analyzing the many ways reader identification can influence a reader, citing examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

The use of the individual or the "I" as a focal point in literature causes alarm for some theorists, as some of them feel that the focus on the individual detracts from potential influence on a group mentality. Write an essay arguing for or against this concern, citing examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 546 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample