View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Zissner have the ability to choose words for the American Heritage Dictionary?

2. Can a writer's style be affected to the reader?

3. Why does Zissner advise his clients to worry about the marketplace last?

4. What tense does Zissner recommend when starting a new piece?

5. What is the old view of nonfiction?

Short Essay Questions

1. When can some writers break grammar rules?

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

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

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

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

6. What is unity in writing?

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

8. What are some examples of bad writing that has to be read?

9. Why is nonfiction now considered to be literature?

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

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 type of writing should not be changed and why? What are some ways to better industry standards, where wording needs to remain uniform?

Essay Topic 3

How have you heard the Eiffel Tower described? Regardless of whether you've seen it or not, describe it a different way, positive or negative. Avoid cliches.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 744 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample