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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 approach to a place should writers take?

2. How does Zinsser create his final products?

3. What is the advantage of a writer writing his or her own memoir?

4. What is different about every writer's voice?

5. What does Zinsser think about writing memoirs?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is humor the most powerful tool for a nonfiction writer?

2. Should sports writers add their opinions in sports articles?

3. What is a strategy to making sure the above choices fit?

4. Does Zinsser think that scientists can write?

5. Why is corporate speak the norm in business writing?

6. How is taste involved in writing?

7. How does Zinsser feel about writing when a writer doesn't want to? Why do writers have this luxury?

8. Why is there an attitude that certain people are only meant to learn certain subjects and skills like writing or science?

9. Why are Americans scared to write about themselves?

10. Why do writers need to develop their own voice? How does writing compare to other art forms?

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

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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