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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 method of writing does Zissner use?
(a) New Journalism.
(b) Old Journalism.
(c) Bold paragraph approach.
(d) Cluster writing.

2. Why is the English language so easy to use when writing?
(a) It is rich with words.
(b) There are very limited words, so there is no need to find alternatives, which cuts time in half.
(c) It has strict rules that makes it impossible to stray.
(d) English isn't an easy language and is not easy to write at all.

3. What is the main thing readers think when starting an article?
(a) They want to know how long it will take them to read the article.
(b) They want to know whether it is worth it to read the article.
(c) They want to know whether the writer is credible or not.
(d) They want to know how soon they will find the answer to the original thesis question of an article.

4. What trap do journalists and editors fall into often?
(a) Usin too many dashes.
(b) Using too many commas.
(c) Using cliches and made up words.
(d) Not doing grammar checks.

5. What is unity in writing?
(a) Unity is when the characters in a story are united and never disagree with one another.
(b) Unity is when the writer sticks to one plot.
(c) Unity is when characters are unipolar and one dimensional.
(d) Unity is where the writer maintains consistency throughout an entire piece.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is rivaling everything that Zissner is saying?

2. What happens when a product of writing is never read?

3. What is the purpose of colons?

4. Why doesn't Zissner provide examples of these writers he admires?

5. What is the main thing required to being a good writer?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are interviews so important to an article?

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

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

4. When is it acceptable for a new word to enter the English languages American Heritage Dictionary? Can you give an example?

5. What political period was the worst as far as bad writing?

6. How do you know when an article is a failure?

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

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

9. Why are thesauri so good for brainstorming?

10. What is unity in writing?

(see the answer keys)

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