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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 the biggest fear that nonfiction writers have?

2. What is a major problem with humorous writing?

3. What do writers focus on most?

4. How is humor used in writing nonfiction?

5. What is an example of American television shows that use humor to talk about serious issues?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are Americans scared to write about themselves?

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

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

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

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

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

7. What is a good way to learn how to write with humor? How much humor should be used?

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

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

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

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

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 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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