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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Part III: Chapter 18 Writing About the Arts: Critics and Columnists.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What was the best advice Zinsser ever received about having opinions in writing?
(a) To always second guess an argument and make a pro and con list.
(b) To never second guess a story.
(c) Take a stand and stick to it. One should never "go peeing down both legs."
(d) It was to argue both sides of a story.

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

3. How does a thesaurus help with brainstorming?
(a) There are pictures of mindmaps within each thesaurus.
(b) The book provides brainstorming exercises.
(c) Looking up a word leads to a list of related words and gives overal word choices and concepts.
(d) The book gives a list of unrelated words that weeds out the bad choices.

4. Does Zissner believe in the journalism model for good writing?
(a) No, journalism is dead and the writing is poor.
(b) No because journalists use cheap words and buzz words.
(c) Yes, it saves space and uses modern words.
(d) Yes, it is efficient and catchy.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What is a major job of a nonfiction writer?

3. Why should interview questions be written before the interview?

4. What does a Thesaurus help a writer with, besides finding alternate words?

5. Do criticism writers need to take a stance on a show?

(see the answer key)

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