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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Part III: Chapter 11 Nonfiction as Literature.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is an example of a time when bad writing HAS to be read?
(a) Online writing.
(b) In the newspaper.
(c) In English class.
(d) Corporate memos or technical writing.

2. Why is the English language changing all the time?
(a) It changes because academics choose the best ways to speak English and try to teach that to children.
(b) It changes because people don't know how to speak it properly and are changing the way it is spoken.
(c) It changes because of regional differences that make their way outwards.
(d) It changes because it is a living language.

3. What could cause a writer to write unclear?
(a) Not having enough experience.
(b) Not having brainstormed enough.
(c) Not knowing what they want to say.
(d) Not taking any writing classes.

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

5. What is an alternative way of showing astonishment in writing?
(a) A well written sentence does not need excalamtion marks. The words themselves should be the intensity of the sentence.
(b) Writing in excessive dialogue where people and characters say they are astonished.
(c) Writing in all caps.
(d) Typing in asterisks with verbs like *gasp*.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the mood or voice in a piece?

2. How can uncluttered writing help fiction?

3. What group of people does the author think has the worst type of writing?

4. How does a thesaurus help with brainstorming?

5. What should the lead in the first sentence do for a reader?

(see the answer key)

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