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Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. There is an old adage in writing: write what you know. How does King feel about this?
2. Which genre does King feel Misery will belong to when he begins to write the story?
3. What is unusual about the character Annie Wilkes?
4. King also suggests limiting speaker attributes. What are speaker attributes?
5. King has been called a hack over the years. What is a hack?
Short Essay Questions
1. What inference can you make from King's claim in On Writing that a writer should have a specific space in which to work?
2. In the chapter, On Writing, King discusses symbolism and theme as elements best ignored in first drafts. What is the relationship between symbolism and theme in King's work?
3. What are some of the most important aspects of grammar that an aspiring writer should observe according to King?
4. In the chapter, On Writing, King says characters should be multi-dimensional. What motive is there for trying to give all characters evil, as well as good, characteristics?
5. Both with vocabulary and 'above all else' King emphasizes honesty. Explain 'honesty' according to King and in your own words.
6. King stated aspiring writers should not use speaker attributes other than said. What are speaker attributes and why would King warn against using them?
7. What evidence can you find about King's feelings on Strunk and White's Elements of Style?
8. What is the second most important tool according to King?
9. What is King trying to tell the aspiring writer about finding his voice?
10. Explain King's beliefs on vocabulary.
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
King believed that characters must be multi-dimensional rather than cardboard figures. Has King been successful in creating multi-dimensional characters? Citing examples from the book, On Writing, how would you evaluate the characters in King's different novels?
Essay Topic 2
King claims that in order to be a good writer, you must read. Why does King believe reading to be important to a writer? What does he say about writers who don't read? Cite reasons from the text to support your argument.
Essay Topic 3
When King says there are some elements of writing that are highly unexplainable, what is he trying to say? King also claims writing is magic. What evidence can you find in the book, On Writing, that writing is magic? Defend your answer with specific examples from the text.
This section contains 1,141 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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