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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Part III: Chapter 16 Business Writing: Writing in Your Job.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Zinsser approach unusual words?
(a) He is very conservative and will never cross a proper word line.
(b) He is modern when it comes to English, but would rather keep it simple.
(c) He accepts some, but not all.
(d) He is very welcoming of a transforming English language.

2. What happens when a writer writes in unclear ways?
(a) They don't get published.
(b) They lose the interest of the reader.
(c) Their book gets tagged as abstract literature and nobody ever reads it.
(d) Their writing doesn't make sense.

3. What is Zissner's point of view on the debate between literature and journalism?
(a) He agrees that literature is the only true form of good writing.
(b) He wants to go back to the pre-WWII form of writing.
(c) He agrees that journalism is bad writing.
(d) He believes it doesn't matter, and that good writing is good writing.

4. Does the author believe good writing is the result of an inherent talent?
(a) Yes, people are born to write.
(b) No, good writers have to be taught.
(c) No, the craft always gets better with time.
(d) A good writer

5. What is the old view of nonfiction?
(a) That it is the only respectable form of writing.
(b) That it is the best form of writing because it is factual and real.
(c) That it is only journalism which isn't a respectable form of writing.
(d) That it is all commentary that means nothing to anyone but the writer.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who are two authors that Zissner admires for solid writing and ornamentation?

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

3. Does skipping grammar check save a writer time?

4. Has the period of political euphemisms improved since the Vietnam War?

5. What is a dash useful for?

(see the answer key)

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