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






2. 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






3. Used when requesting large amounts of money






4. 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






5. 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)






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






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






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






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






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






11. Included on the title page; summarizes in a few sentences the scope and purpose of the document.






12. 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






13. 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






14. Included before full report; summarized version of report






15. Audience consists of experts in the subject matter - data does not require lengthy explanation e.g.: a physician giving a report to a surgeon about a patient's lab results and symptoms






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






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






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






19. Use images or icons to represent quantities; useful for non-experts to grasp ideas.






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






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






22. Written to ask about a product - service or procedure; brief - direct and clearly worded so the reader understands what is needed.






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






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






25. 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.






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






27. Begins with either the cause of the effect; useful in reports discussing problems and solutions






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






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






30. External proposal written and submitted without request






31. 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






32. 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






33. Use these to show the meaning of a process or concept.






34. Useful in highlighting sections of a document to draw reader attention






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






36. _______ are documents written to persuade readers to take some type of action.






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






38. Appear on the top of every page in a document to indicate the page number and document title.






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






40. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






41. These kinds of reports answer the following questions: Is the plan likely to be successful? - What are the benefits and risks of the plan? - What are other options? - Is funding available? - How would the employees be affected?






42. 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.






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






44. Show how the phases of a project relate to each other






45. 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?






46. Describing the terms origin - such as Greek or Latin words






47. These kinds of reports answer the following questions: The reason for conducting the test or investigation - Problems - Results and Conclusion






48. Informal written communications used in business between colleagues. The provide a record trail of decisions that can be used legally.






49. Show real or imaginary objects; highlight specific parts; use exploded view to show how parts fit together.






50. 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