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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. Gardner writes in Chapter 3, "Young writers want to ____ because they're unsure of themselves."

2. Gardner writes in Chapter 2 that in the workshop he is teaching he encountered a story which he hopes to publish titled what?

3. What is the name of the writer's conference where Gardner has frequently worked with writing assistants?

4. In Chapter 2, what does Gardner say the world has far more than it needs?

5. The main commitment of famous writers as teachers is what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does the author's manuscript go after he reviews the copywriter's corrections?

2. Describe some of the qualities of bad writing workshops in Chapter 2.

3. What does Gardner open Chapter 3 with, regarding the young writer's focus on publication?

4. Why must a teacher avoid projecting their aesthetic view on writers?

5. What does Gardner remark about the loyalty of an editor?

6. What brings the author feelings of virtue in Chapter 2?

7. How does Gardner explain the detailed letter from an editor and the author's choice of revision?

8. Why is writing usually rejected, according to Gardner?

9. What does Gardner say of editors in Chapter 3? What can one do to appeal to an editor?

10. Are all good writers good teachers? What does Gardner say of this in Chapter 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss what Gardner refers to as "faith" in the final chapter. Where does the author find faith? How should the author go about escaping writer's block?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the exceptions that Gardner makes in reference to James Joyce, Franz Kafka, and Samuel Beckett. What in their writing differs from the traditional and still "works"?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the differences between Melville's Onoo and Moby Dick. How does Gardner illustrate this in the text?

(see the answer keys)

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