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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. How does Zinsser create his final products?

2. Why doesn't Zinsser teach people how to get published?

3. What problem does a scientist have when writing about science?

4. What is a memoir?

5. How much information should a writer provide to his or her readers?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are Americans scared to write about themselves?

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

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

4. What is a major pitfall of sports writers?

5. How is taste involved in writing?

6. Who does Zinsser blame when it comes to focusing on the final prize instead of the work of an article?

7. Why is bad to fall into cliches when travel writing?

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

9. Why should exact details be avoided in memoirs? What approach should writers take instead?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Zinsser says that writers should write from their subconscious to let everything flow, then go back and hammer out all the gritty details. How often do you take this approach? Do you agree with it? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

What are some interview questions that must always be asked? What should a writer know before going into an interview? Should a writer go in with extensive research on a subject, or just show up with minimal knowledge and learn it all from a pro? Explain your reasoning.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 872 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample