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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 was the best advice Zinsser ever received about having opinions in writing?

2. What is a general rule for writing about sports?

3. Does Zinsser ever use humor in his writing?

4. Do writers need to write all the time?

5. What do writers focus on most?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do critics need to be well versed in the art they are writing about?

2. Does he recommend this level of pride to other writers?

3. Why are Americans scared to write about themselves?

4. Why should writers forget about the final product when they are writing?

5. What is a major pitfall of sports writers?

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

7. Why does a writer's fear of new subjects keep him from taking original and interesting projects?

8. Does Zinsser think that scientists can write?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are some industries that use corporate-speak or jargon in the majority of their writing? Why have these industries continued to use the same type of terrible writing? What can a person in the industry do to change this? Why would they be scared to change the status quo?

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

What is the bracket method? Do you find this method useful? Compare it to crossing out.

(see the answer keys)

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