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On Writing Well Quiz

William Zinsser

This Study Guide consists of approximately 36 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of On Writing Well.

On Writing Well by William Zinsser

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+Chapters Summary and Analysis

Part I: Chapter 1 The Transaction

Part I: Chapter 2 Simplicity

Part I: Chapter 3 Clutter

Part I: Chapter 4 Style

Part I: Chapter 5 The Audience

Part I: Chapter 6 Words

Part I: Chapter 7 Usage

Part II: Chapter 8 Unity

Part II: Chapter 9 The Lead and the Ending

Part II: Chapter 10 Bits & Pieces

Part III: Chapter 11 Nonfiction as Literature

Part III: Chapter 12 Writing About People: The Interview

Part III: Chapter 13 Writing About Places: The Travel Article

Part III: Chapter 14 Writing About Yourself: The Memoir

Part III: Chapter 15 Science and Technology

Part III: Chapter 16 Business Writing: Writing in Your Job

Part III: Chapter 17 Sports

Part III: Chapter 18 Writing About the Arts: Critics and Columnists

Part III: Chapter 19 Humor

Part IV: Chapter 20 The Sound of Your Voice

Part IV: Chapter 21 Enjoyment, Fear and Confidence

Part IV: Chapter 22 The Tyranny of the Final Product

Part IV: Chapter 23 A Writer's Decision

Part IV: Chapter 24 Write as Well as You Can

Themes

Style

Quotes

Topics for Discussion

Order our On Writing Well Study Guide

On Writing Well Quiz

William Zinsser

This Study Guide consists of approximately 36 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of On Writing Well.

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Take our free On Writing Well quiz below, with 25 multiple choice questions that help you test your knowledge. Determine which chapters, themes and styles you already know and what you need to study for your upcoming essay, midterm, or final exam. Take the free quiz now!

Directions: Click on the correct answer.

Questions 1-5 of 25:

1.

Did Zinsser always want to write? (from Part IV: Chapter 24 Write as Well as You Can)

No, his love of writing came after being deployed.

Yes, ever since he was a little boy.

No, it was a random interest.

He always wanted to write for a newspaper.

2.

What does a Thesaurus help a writer with, besides finding alternate words? (from Part I: Chapter 6 Words)

Provides easy word webs.

The book can help a writer become an expert in opposites.

A thesaurus can help when writing in another language.

A thesaurus is a powerful stimulant to a writer's imagination.

3.

Why is it important for writers to read constantly? (from Part I: Chapter 6 Words)

To emulate their heroes.

To learn from other writers' mistakes.

To learn how to write.

To study the market.

4.

How rigid are the lines between proper and improper English usage? (from Part I: Chapter 7 Usage)

There are no lines at all. Every writer has a poetic license to do with words what he or she pleases.

They are very soft, and not rigid at all.

There is a grey area, though the need for proper English is most important.

They are very rigid and one cannot cross the line.

5.

What did his parents teach him that made him a fantastic writer? (from Part IV: Chapter 24 Write as Well as You Can)

His mother instilled in him a love and respect for good writing, and his father taught him to have a strong work ethic.

His mother was a writer and went to career day at his school.

His mother taught him to spell, and his father taught him to write.

HIs father took him to a field trip to a newspaper office.

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