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

2. What does Zissner believe authors are fearful of in their writing?

3. What is a common problem with nonfiction writers?

4. Why do journalists need to perfect uncluttered writing?

5. What is the main attitude that writers have today?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are rhythm and sound important in writing? What should writers do to improve this aspect of their writing?

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

3. Why does Zinsser want writers to cut out ornamental writing?

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

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

6. When can grammar rules be broken?

7. What skills does an interviewer need to possess?

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

9. Why are interviews so important to an article?

10. Why is nonfiction now considered to be literature?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Writing as well as you can is hard. What has been the hardest part about writing as well as you could for this class? Was it the editing? The bracketing? Hearing your peers responses or responding to your peers? Evaluate your experience in the class and explain whether it was positive or negative.

Essay Topic 3

What is clutter within an article and how does Zinsser suggest writers cut it out? Are there times when clutter would be a good think to have within a sentence or paragraph? Was it hard for you to recognize clutter within your own writing?

(see the answer keys)

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