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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What period of writing constantly used semicolons?
(a) All modern writing uses semicolons constantly.
(b) The 17th century.
(c) The 19th century.
(d) Only 18th century England.

2. What is a natural inclination for writers when they start a piece?
(a) They ramble through an unnecessary introduction.
(b) They don't give enough background information.
(c) Writers assume readers know nothing about what they are writing about.
(d) They assume the readers know what they are writing about.

3. What is one of Zissner's biggest pet peeves?
(a) When people leave the toilet seat up.
(b) When people say they can write a book as if it is easy.
(c) When people dog ear the pages of a book.
(d) When people write in their books.

4. Does skipping grammar check save a writer time?
(a) Yes, it is one less thing the writer has to do.
(b) No. It harms the writer, and makes more work for them and the editors.
(c) No, they have to do line edits anyways to check grammar.
(d) Yes. It is uneccessary since the editor can check grammer.

5. What does Zissner say is a common desire of every writer?
(a) To mae sure grammar is perfect.
(b) To find shortcuts.
(c) To pay perfect attention to detail.
(d) To take the long route to everything.

6. Do good writers decorate their writing?
(a) Yes, always with lots of extra words.
(b) Yes, with good punctuation.
(c) No, only bad writers do this to sell more copies.
(d) No, good writers dont need ornamentation.

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

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

9. Which is the simplest sentence?
(a) Simplicity is the opposite of clutter.
(b) Simplicity.
(c) Simplicity is the direct opposite of clutter.
(d) Simplicity is opporite clutter.

10. Why should interview questions be written before the interview?
(a) To keep the person being interviewed on track.
(b) To avoid having to do it at the interview.
(c) To focus the interview around a certain theme.
(d) To avoid drawing a blank in the middle of an interview.

11. What does Zissner believe authors are fearful of in their writing?
(a) Writing poorly.
(b) Stating their true opinions, ideas, and judgments.
(c) Stating where they live.
(d) The reader not relating to them.

12. Can good writing be taught?
(a) Only good students can learn good writing.
(b) Of course it can.
(c) It cannot, but it can be learned.
(d) Only good teachers can teach good writing.

13. What does reading aloud do for the writer?
(a) Catches simple mistakes and clumsy constructions.
(b) It helps the writer compare their work to others.
(c) It allows writers to understand their own writing.
(d) It is a therapeutic process signifying the end of a story.

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

15. Why do journalists need to perfect uncluttered writing?
(a) It make their writing easier to read.
(b) They have a limited number of column inches and word limits.
(c) It is easier to sell.
(d) People only pay attention to short articles.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Zissner think of gimmicky writing?

2. What is another important characteristic of a writer?

3. What is the old view of nonfiction?

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

5. What is unity in writing?

(see the answer keys)

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