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

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

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

4. What has literature transformed into?
(a) Literature is still mainly novels,and very rarely includes other writing.
(b) Literature now includes nonfiction and fiction alike.
(c) Literature has not transformed at all.
(d) Literature now includes poetry.

5. Should exclamation points be used in serious writing?
(a) They should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
(b) They should be sprinkled into paragraphs like salt and pepper. The more the better.
(c) They should be used sparingly. One per paragraph is fine.
(d) Only serious writing has serious exclamation points. How else would people understand astonishment?

Short Answer Questions

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

2. When should a writer choose the point of view in a piece of writing?

3. What is a dash useful for?

4. What are Zissner's feelings about writing?

5. What is the problem with American writing?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why are rhythm and sound important in writing? What should writers do to improve this aspect of their writing?

3. Why does Zinsser avoid using journalism as a model for good writers?

4. In what point of view should a writer start writing? Why?

5. How much information should a writer gather before writing a piece? Why is it important?

6. When can grammar rules be broken?

7. What happens to the reader when he or she reads cluttered writing?

8. What is unity in writing?

9. Who does Zinsser say are the worst writers guilty of clutter?

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

(see the answer keys)

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