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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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 is efficient and catchy.
(d) Yes, it saves space and uses modern words.

2. What group of people does the author think has the worst type of writing?
(a) Toddlers.
(b) Politicians.
(c) Teachers.
(d) Musicians.

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

4. Why does he recommend starting in the preferred tense?
(a) It brings out the natural voice.
(b) It creates a teacher student relationship.
(c) It makes it easier for people to relate to.
(d) It causes writer's to think about the reader.

5. Who do authors please first with their writing?
(a) Readers.
(b) Themselves.
(c) Family members.
(d) Editors.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What ability do great authors have?

3. What is another important characteristic of a writer?

4. What are two tools every writer should use?

5. What is Zissner's point of view on the debate between literature and journalism?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are thesauri so good for brainstorming?

2. Does Zinsser believe it is important for an author's personality to shine through his or her writing?

3. Why does Zinsser use brackets on students' papers?

4. Writers are told to study the market before submitting pieces. Why is this advice irrelevant?

5. Why does Zinsser want writers to cut out ornamental writing?

6. What do all good writers do when it comes to improving?

7. What is the major problem with American writing in terms of simplicity?

8. Why do writers have a hard time starting at the "true beginning?"

9. Why are interviews so important to an article?

10. What does Zinsser make of this distinction of fiction versus nonfiction in the literary world?

(see the answer keys)

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