Test your basic knowledge |

DSST Technical Writing

Subjects : dsst, writing-skills
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.






2. Most appropriate when a writer needs to define a multiple-meaning term with precision.






3. This describes how something works and breaks down something into steps or parts. (e.g. how to make a dvd player - how to apply for a loan)






4. They are different from Memos - since they correspond to people outside of the organization instead of inside.






5. Used for writing step-by-step instructions.






6. The _________ of a brochure is its front page - and its purpose is to catch the attention of the audience. Usually contain a visual image and a small amount of text. Concepts and overviews appear inside the brochure.






7. Single words or short lines carried over to the top of a column or page






8. Written for repair technicians; contain troubleshooting charts for diagnosing problems






9. Show steps in a process.






10. Charts that show parts of a whole






11. These are sentences clarity is increased by creating lists/clauses with similar grammer. (for example - every item on a list has 'a' before it)






12. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.






13. Commonly used to outline longer documents like reports - proposals - and manuals.






14. External proposal written to request funding for a project or study.






15. Show trends and changes over time - cost - size - rates - and other variables.






16. Single ___ for larger typeface; double for smaller typeface. Avoid orphans and widows.






17. Dividing information into manageable pieces so that the document is easier for readers to follow and understand - Writers use various sequencing methods to do this.






18. Audience consists of laypersons with no training in the subject matter; data needs to be translated into simple language that can be easily understood e.g.; a physician giving a report to a patient's spouse regarding lab results - symptoms - and trea






19. Used in in presenting steps - materials - and recommendations






20. Explain policies - and proposals persuade readers to follow a plan of action.






21. Organization Name __________ To: Name/Title of addressee From: Name/Title of sender with handwritten initials Date: For record keeping purposes Subject: Key words Introductory Paragraph: purpose and background Body Paragraph(s): details - explanation






22. Use comparison to define - but they are less likely to be used for terms with multiple meanings.






23. Defining through __________ involves comparing two seemingly different objects that share a common characteristic.






24. Explain how an item or process works






25. Using '______________' to link the two sentences best contrasts the information.






26. Written as a self-study guide for the users of a product; intended to guide first-time users through the steps involved in operating a product.






27. Used when extensive details are required about an item; may be a paragraph or numerous pages depending on the audience and purpose.






28. Detailed - usually multipage commercial document containing descriptions of product/servive/project for marketing purposes.






29. Boldface - italics - capital letters - font style - and font size are common ways to show readers the difference between _________________ headings.






30. Reduces costs by minimizing customer calls and the need to release document updates. Product sales and customer satisfaction also benefitsfrom this - although this enhances product safety - it does not eliminate a firm's legal responsibilities.






31. ___________ - such as 'who -' are more likely to decrease clarity in a document.






32. Too brief and general to convey the complexity of a term with multiple meanings.






33. Included before full report; summarized version of report






34. ____________________ in a sentence indicates the relationship between ideas; structuring a sentence with effective ______________ improves conciseness.






35. When using a ______________ - center the return address - date - and closing - and align body paragraphs to the left.






36. This document contains: Name and contact information - Job Objective - Qualifications and Summary - Education and Work Experience - Awards - Skills and Activities - References






37. Audience consists of people with some technical knowledge but less than experts; data needs some explanation e.g.: a physician giving a report to a first-year medical student regarding a patient's lab results and symptoms






38. External proposal that may be short or long depending on the size of the potential sale






39. Involves dividing an idea into different parts and explaining each part separately.






40. These help readers decide whether to read the document - find a particular section - divide information into logical pieces - highlight main points and topics - signal topic changes






41. Often include section topic - date - page number - and title of document.






42. Used when writing about one subject that is similar to another.






43. Margins ________ on the left are easier to read; fully ______ is appropriate for multiple columns.






44. Written for both skilled and unskilled users of a product; include instructions regarding setup - operation and maintenance as well as safety warning and trouble-shooting tips






45. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






46. Discuss history - development - and applications for the term - unless readers are only attempting to perform a task related to the term.






47. Used when requesting large amounts of money






48. These build unity and clarity by creating a smoooth flow of ideas. Achieved by using ______ words (therefore - meanwhile etc) Repeating major points or words - summarizing information in previous paragraphs - using numbers to indicate steps.






49. Emphasizes important information; reasons or examples are arranged in decreasing or increasing order of imporance; used when making recommendations or proposals.






50. This supplements or clarifies information in the text body. It is in the back and there may be more than one per topic. For example: experiment details - complicated formulas - interview questions and answers - long quotes - maps - photos - tests - v