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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Part I: Chapter 6 Words.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. A musician must practice scales, and a writer must practice ______________.
(a) Grammar.
(b) Spelling.
(c) Sentences.
(d) The marketplace.

2. What does Zissner think of gimmicky writing?
(a) It is worth a try to sell a book or article.
(b) It is the secret to selling a book.
(c) It is what gets writers through the door.
(d) It never works.

3. Has the period of political euphemisms improved since the Vietnam War?
(a) Yes, politicians hire better speech writers.
(b) Yes, politicians know how to unclutter their writing now.
(c) No, it has gotten worse.
(d) No, it is the same.

4. What is a strange but effective way of proofreading to check for errors?
(a) Reading a piece backwards.
(b) Reading through a window.
(c) Reading under a blacklight.
(d) Reading a story upside down.

5. How can uncluttered writing help fiction?
(a) It keeps people's attention longer.
(b) It highlights the impotant parts of the story.
(c) It keeps books smaller and people like smaller books.
(d) It keeps the meaning of the story clear and the prose worth the reader's time.

Short Answer Questions

1. Can a writer's style be affected to the reader?

2. What is the response previous students have to his style of edits?

3. What is one task that a good writer constantly does?

4. What happens when a writer writes in unclear ways?

5. Who is the real audience in a piece of writing?

(see the answer key)

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