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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Part IV: Chapter 20 The Sound of Your Voice.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the danger of overusing humor in writing?
(a) A writer's credibility will tank.
(b) It can get tiresome and jokes over time will become weaker.
(c) Rejection from not being funny enough, or at all.
(d) A writer will not be taken seriously.

2. Who are two authors that Zissner admires for solid writing and ornamentation?
(a) Normal Mailer and Virginia Wolfe.
(b) Sylvia Plath and Jane Austen.
(c) Virginia Woolfe and Sylvia Plath.
(d) Norman Mailer and Tom Wolfe.

3. What problem does a scientist have when writing about science?
(a) Not following basic grammar rules.
(b) Formatting simple sentences.
(c) Using jargon that only scientists can understand.
(d) He or she forgets to be human, and writes strictly about the science.

4. What is one task that a good writer constantly does?
(a) Participates in writing workshops.
(b) Takes writing classes often.
(c) Sends manuscripts out like crazy.
(d) Reads contemporary and classic works of other writers.

5. What is the best way to add humor into writing?
(a) Making seperate paragraphs that only have the funny line in them.
(b) Adding asterisks to funny lines.
(c) Making all funny lines italicized.
(d) Making a funny sentence sneak up on a reader to get an unexpected laugh.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does a writer need to start to get his or her voice discovered?

2. What happens when writers do not stick to proper grammar rules?

3. Can a writer simply write the article with one interview?

4. What does Zinsser think about this misconception?

5. How are writers like painters?

(see the answer key)

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