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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is unity in writing?

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

3. Why is the above a problem?

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

5. What attitude should writers embrace towards their editors?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are writers fearful to insert their own opinions, ideas, and judgments in their own writing?

2. What does the surgeon in Chapter 1 think about writing?

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

4. Why are interviews so important to an article?

5. Why are thesauri so good for brainstorming?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What do you think about Zinsser's attitude towards writing, especially in terms of his reaction to the doctor that loves to write at the beginning of the book? At times it feels as though he is all business and no fun. Do you find writing a chore or a pleasure?

Essay Topic 2

What is the bracket method? Do you find this method useful? Compare it to crossing out.

Essay Topic 3

What are some industries that use corporate-speak or jargon in the majority of their writing? Why have these industries continued to use the same type of terrible writing? What can a person in the industry do to change this? Why would they be scared to change the status quo?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 750 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample