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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 mistake a writer can make when creating sentences?

2. What are two tools every writer should use?

3. What is another example of when a person HAS to read bad writing?

4. Can good writing be taught?

5. What is one task that a good writer constantly does?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the major problem with American writing in terms of simplicity?

2. Why does Zinsser use brackets on students' papers?

3. What does the craft of writing consist of?

4. What skills does an interviewer need to possess?

5. What do all good writers do when it comes to improving?

6. Why does Zinsser want writers to cut out ornamental writing?

7. What are some examples of bad writing that has to be read?

8. Does Zinsser believe it is important for an author's personality to shine through his or her writing?

9. Why is nonfiction now considered to be literature?

10. Why are writers fearful to insert their own opinions, ideas, and judgments in their own writing?

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

Rewrite the following sentence into three good leads: The cat jumped onto the fence.

Essay Topic 3

What was your definition of literature before reading this book? Has it changed or is it the same? Explain why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 642 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample