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






2. A word on a line by itself at the end of a column






3. 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.






4. Writers developing a formal document should avoid _______________ - but thee occasional use in semiformal or informal documents is acceptable.






5. 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.






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






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






8. It emphasizes abilities and skills rather than work history. This type of resume is appropriate for people who are changing careers or who have limited work experience. Education and references are included but not stressed.






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






10. 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.






11. What is the background of the audience? Global? - What is the reader's experience - What is the attitude of the audience on subject? - What are the needs/interests/expectations of the audience? - Will multiple audiences/skill levels read this?






12. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.






13. Sentences with an average of ____________ words are appropriate for technical writing. Sentences of fewer than 15 words are too short and choppy - and ones longer than 20 words are cumbersome and confusing.






14. The extent to which data has been verified to be accurate






15. Written for unskilled individuals. The steps required to complete a task safely and efficiently - such as installing a memory card into a laptop. i.e. printed manuals - user manuals.






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






17. Are reduced images of pictures.






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






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






20. Illustrate relationships in systems - such as components in an electronic device






21. The purpose of a ____ is to: Summarize information - Interpret Findings - Recommend action






22. 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.






23. Written in short proposal format; used frequently in organizations for minor spending requests.






24. 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






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






26. A document with an alphabetical list of definitions. It defines terms without breaking the flow. If a document has five or more technical terms it needs one of these. Insert after the appendix and bibiolography






27. Follows a sequence of events; useful for explanations of how something is done or how an accident occurred.






28. Advantages: gaining a better understanding of how the audience will read the document - each member of the group provides more questions and suggestions Disadvantages: disjointed writing styles - increased time to complete the project - and reduced m






29. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.






30. A formal document longer than ten pages usually includes a table of contents to simplify the process of locating information. It's included after the title and abstract - but before the list of tables - forward and preface.






31. Charts that show parts of a whole






32. ______ ______ ______ is as follows: Introduction: background information and purpose statement - Body: Review of options being considered based on criteria like costs and staff - Conclusion: Interpretations of findings - Recommendation: Author's opin






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






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






35. Written to describe events like safety emergencies - equipment problems - and workplace accidents.






36. 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






37. The _____________ explains what an organization wants to do and justifies the proposal with primary and secondary research.






38. What is the Web Site's sponsor and domain type(.edu.com.gov) - What is the purpose of the Web page and message? - When was the Web site most recently updated? - What are the author's credentials and expertise?






39. Major teaching tool in vocational jobs; used to train people in a procedure or skill and often paired with audiovisual information






40. Included before full report; summarized version of report






41. Show how components of a principle - process - or system function together - useful to people assembling and installing things.






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






43. ______ are documents that help people how to understand how to assemble - use - and repair products.






44. Show steps in a process.






45. Describes the physical appearance of an object or area beginning at one point and ending at another; useful for product or mechanism descriptions






46. 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






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






48. Included before full report; combines main points of a report or proposal; often persuasive






49. The page area that contains no text or graphics - and it helps draw a reader's attention to a particular page element. Improves the readability of a document for all types of readers. Although it limits the amount of information on a page - it does n






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