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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 a general rule for writing about sports?

2. What advice does Zinsser give to employees who want to change business writing?

3. What is a misconception about writers and scientists?

4. What does Zinsser think about this misconception?

5. What does Zinsser think about writing memoirs?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain some of the choices that writers have to take when editing?

2. What tense do business writer stend to use that hurts their writing?

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

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

5. What are some of the hardest parts of writing about performances?

6. How does Zinsser react when editors want to change too much of his work?

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

8. Does Zinsser think that scientists can write?

9. Why are Americans scared to write about themselves?

10. What needs to be described in a travel article?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the importance of using modern words versus antiquated words in writing. Explain when it would be important to use older words versus more modern words.

Essay Topic 3

Choosing the right words is a tedious process. How often did you find yourself nitpicking over the right words? Did the exercises in the class help you come to the realization about finding the correct words? What was on aspect of word searching that you found to be fun, or uninteresting?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 734 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample