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

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

3. When should a writer choose the point of view in a piece of writing?
(a) The point of view can be determined after the writer figures out who will be the main character.
(b) It doesn't matter when the point of view is established.
(c) THe point of view should be determined once the writing is finished and ready for editing.
(d) A writer should determine the point of view before writing a new piece.

4. What is the response previous students have to his style of edits?
(a) They like it much better than red pen all over a paper.
(b) They say they never liked the highlighting.
(c) They say then can still see the brackets.
(d) They hated it, and have nightmares about his style.

5. What is one way of saving time?
(a) Learning to write over eighty words per minute.
(b) Skipping spell check.
(c) Not doing a story outline.
(d) Solely relying on grammar and spell check.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the author talking to at the beginning of the book?

2. What is another important characteristic of a writer?

3. What is the transaction in writing?

4. What happens when the reader loses interest in the writing?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the craft of writing consist of?

2. Why does the English language change all the time? Can you give an example of a language that never changes and why?

3. When can grammar rules be broken?

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

5. What is unity in writing?

6. Why is it important for writers to maintain unity throughout a piece? Three things are vitally important.

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

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

9. Why are journalists good about de-cluttering their writing?

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

(see the answer keys)

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