Deck 1: The Basics

Question 1

Essential essay writing skills are the same regardless of instructor or course. These skills include __________________.

A) organizing ideas
B) making points
C) supporting points
D) All of the above

Answer 1

D

Question 2

All good writers are __________________.

A) reluctant readers
B) average readers
C) avid readers
D) recreational readers

Answer 2

C

Question 3

__________________ is the fundamental purpose of writing.

A) Clearly communicating ideas to an audience
B) Fulfilling assignment requirements
C) Being grammatically correct
D) Expressing as many thoughts as possible

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Coherence in writing means __________________.

A) maintaining a single focus
B) using the right amount of evidence
C) having a debatable thesis
D) making sure ideas follow logically from one idea to the next

Question 5

A doctor saying the term "myocardial contusion" is an example of __________________.

A) cliché
B) gerund
C) jargon
D) idiom

Question 6

The purpose of an academic essay is to __________________.

A) explain what you think
B) summarize relevant information
C) demonstrate what you've learned
D) A and C

Question 7

Wordiness is __________________.

A) using many words when a few will do
B) using fancy vocabulary
C) writing concisely
D) making your writing enjoyable for the reader

Question 8

English courses __________________.

A) test your ability to memorize
B) test how well you remember your professor's arguments
C) test your ability to communicate ideas
D) test your love of literature and poetry

Question 9

You should read the instructions for the assignment __________________.

A) as soon as you get it
B) multiple times during the drafting stage
C) before handing in your completed essay
D) All of the above

Question 10

To support your points, always remember to __________________.

A) repeat the idea
B) give sufficient explanation
C) give clear examples
D) B and C

Question 11

A casual conversation requires approximately __________________ words.

A) 200,000
B) 20,000
C) 2,000
D) 200

Question 12

When compared to conversation, which of the following is a disadvantage of written language?

A) the time it takes to craft the document
B) lack of tone of voice
C) the need to edit and revise
D) informality

Question 13

Academic style is __________________.

A) personal
B) conversational
C) impersonal
D) subjective

Question 14

To write in academic style, __________________.

A) avoid using first or second person
B) avoid transition signals
C) use slang
D) use vague vocabulary

Question 15

__________________ is the best way to learn the conventions of the written form, that is, the words, structures, style, and tone that writers use.

A) Planning
B) Reading
C) Practicing
D) Drafting

Question 16

Critical thinking means __________________.

A) evaluating arguments
B) organizing thoughts
C) seeing relationships between ideas
D) All of the above

Question 17

__________________ is an example of critical thinking.

A) Appreciating other points of view
B) Summarizing the ideas of others
C) Citing sources
D) Paying attention to formatting

Question 18

The ability to think deeply requires asking which questions?

A) "Why?" and "Who?"
B) "Where?" and "When?"
C) "How?" and "Why?"
D) "What?" and "Why?"

Question 19

Critical, deep thinking often involves __________________.

A) observing how others think
B) using personal experience
C) spending more time researching a topic
D) All of the above

Question 20

Staring at a blank screen, feeling paralyzed is an example of __________________.

A) brain freeze
B) author anchor
C) writer's block
D) academic freedom

Question 21

__________________ will help you commit your ideas to paper.

A) Studying for another class
B) Taking a walk
C) Reading
D) Journal writing

Question 22

It is best to write __________________.

A) on a computer or tablet
B) by hand
C) by hand sometimes and on a computer or tablet other times
D) on Twitter, 140 characters at a time

Question 23

When you receive feedback (corrections and comments) from your instructor, it's best to __________________.

A) tuck it in a drawer and forget about it
B) go over it immediately
C) only look at the feedback if the mark is low
D) read it, but do not ask your instructor about it

Question 24

Mistakes are __________________.

A) inevitable
B) no big deal
C) painful to look at, so best to avoid thinking about
D) learning opportunities

Question 25

When editing, writers need to be __________________.

A) reckless
B) reluctant
C) ruthless
D) reserved

Question 26

If an error is fossilized, it __________________.

A) appears early in your essay
B) has been around a long time
C) has become a habit
D) cannot be fixed

Question 27

Correcting involves __________________.

A) rewording
B) fixing mistakes
C) deleting unnecessary words and sentences
D) moving entire sections to better organize your ideas

Question 28

While many can be useful, you should be careful with grammar and essay writing resources on the Internet because __________________.

A) they are too easy to find
B) they contain too much jargon
C) they focus too much on exercises
D) they are not vetted by editors

Question 29

Active learners retain more than passive learners. Become an active learner by __________________.

A) taking notes
B) attending instructor office hours
C) participating in class discussion
D) All of the above

Question 30

At the most essential level, essay writing teaches one how to organize information, make points, and support them. How might these skills be useful in the workplace?

Question 31

It is the writer's responsibility to impart clear meaning. What are some of the ways to write clearly and concisely?

Question 32

What are some errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation that can be more easily forgiven in terms of communication? Which errors cannot be so easily forgiven?

Question 33

Why is it important to limit wordiness in your writing?

Question 34

Why is it crucial to answer the question your instructor asked on the assignment or exam sheet?

Question 35

How would a question that asks you to describe differ from one that asks you to analyze?

Question 36

What does the planning step of the writing process involve? Why is this step important?

Question 37

What does the drafting step of the writing process involve? Why is this step essential?

Question 38

What does the editing step of the writing process involve? Why is this step significant?

Question 39

Why is it not a good idea for students to try to bluff their way through an essay? What happens when they do?

Question 40

What is the benefit of choosing a topic that you are comfortable with or you find interesting? Why might it be better to choose one that you know little about?

Question 41

When brainstorming, is it better to brainstorm on one side or more than one side of the topic? Regardless of your choice, be clear why.

Question 42

What are some of the key differences between spoken and written language? What do we learn about writing because of these?

Question 43

Why do students not need to write "I think" or "in my opinion" in their essays? Why is it better to avoid doing so?

Question 44

Why should students avoid words like "thing" or "stuff" in academic writing?

Question 45

Why should students limit questions when writing in academic style?

Question 46

Why is it important to avoid using "you" (second person) in essays?

Question 47

Good writers are also avid readers. What are some strategies to becoming a better reader?

Question 48

What is critical thinking? Why is it important that students develop this ability?

Question 49

When completing the readings for class, what can you do to retain more information about those stories or articles?

Question 50

What are some techniques to overcoming writer's block? Why do they work?

Question 51

What is the difference between correcting and editing?

Question 52

What are some helpful grammar and writing resources?

Question 53

Why is communicating with your instructor beneficial?