View a FREE sample

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 problem with American writing?
(a) Americans are bad at fact checking.
(b) It isn't complex enough.
(c) It is too complex.
(d) The writing is too sloppy.

2. What does it convey when anyone says he can write a book if he wanted to?
(a) It reveals the misconception that writing is easy.
(b) It shows that people are ignorant.
(c) It reveals how easy it is to write a book.
(d) It shows that there are many talented people in the world.

3. What trap do journalists and editors fall into often?
(a) Not doing grammar checks.
(b) Usin too many dashes.
(c) Using cliches and made up words.
(d) Using too many commas.

4. Can a writer simply write the article with one interview?
(a) Yes, but it is better to have mulitple interviews and meld them together into one incident.
(b) Yes, but it should be avoided because people forget things in the first interview.
(c) No, editing is too hard with just one interview.
(d) No, there should always be mulitple interviews.

5. Why is the above a problem?
(a) Writers don't put enough effort into their writing.
(b) Writers need to start at the end and work their way up.
(c) Writers end up editing too much.
(d) Usually the first two or three paragraphs of a piece can be cut.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Zissner have the ability to choose words for the American Heritage Dictionary?

2. What is the best way to learn to write with humor?

3. What is one of Zissner's biggest pet peeves?

4. What period in U.S. history does Zissner point out as a time filled with euphemisms?

5. What problem does a scientist have when writing about science?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 393 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample