A02 - Structural Techniques

Which of these is an example of a shift in focus?

• A character speaks in an angry tone

• The story moves from describing a setting to introducing a new character

• The writer uses a metaphor to describe a storm

• A character’s emotions are exaggerated

What does cyclical structure mean?

• The story repeats the same event multiple times

• The story jumps back and forth between past and present

• The story begins and ends in a similar way

• The story starts with a flashback

Why might a writer use short sentences in a tense moment?

• They can speed up action scenes by creating urgency

• They make the writing seem unstructured

• They always slow the pace down

• They are only used in dialogue

What is foreshadowing?

• The use of detailed imagery

• A sudden shift in the time period

• A focus on describing the setting

• A hint about what will happen later in the story

How does starting a story ‘in media res’ affect the reader?

• It makes the story more predictable

• It confuses the reader because they don’t know what’s happening

• It immediately throws them into the action, creating excitement

• It helps explain the background of the characters before the action starts

Which of these is an example of withholding information?

• The writer describes everything in great detail

• The writer immediately explains the twist in the story

• The writer repeats the same idea multiple times

• The writer deliberately hides key facts to build suspense

What effect does shifting perspective have on a story?

• It speeds up the pace of the story

• It makes the reader feel closer to just one character

• It makes the story harder to follow

• It allows the reader to see different viewpoints, adding mystery and depth

How can a contrast between settings affect the reader?

• It makes the story harder to follow

• It can highlight changes in mood or tension

• It forces the reader to pay more attention to the plot

• It has no real effect

Which of these sentences best shows a structural shift in time?

• "The clock ticked loudly on the wall."

• "Ten years ago, he had walked these same streets, unaware of what was to come."

• "She ran down the street, her heart pounding in fear."
  

• "The wind howled as the storm approached."

What is the purpose of a slow build-up in tension?

• To bore the reader before something exciting happens

• To confuse the reader by making them wait for answers

• To create suspense and keep the reader engaged

• To add more description to the setting