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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. Why is the above a problem?

2. What is Zinsser's preferred method for interviewing?

3. What does Zissner say is a common desire of every writer?

4. What does the etymology of words mean?

5. Why do Americans have trouble writing?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What are Zinsser's thoughts on the writing profession?

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

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

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

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

9. What skills does an interviewer need to possess?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Do you believe that everyone can write well as Zinsser mentions? Or do you think that a writer must have a natural gift for the written word? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

What do you think about Zinsser's point of view on the audience? Who does he feel is more important? Do you agree that a writer should ignore their potential audience and focus solely on pleasing themselves first? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

What are ways that politicians can better their speech writing style? What are some common political cliches you have heard recently? What is it about cliches that tend to always make it into speeches? Touch on human emotion with your response.

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