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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. Translate numbers into shapes or colors; show camprisons






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






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






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






5. 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






6. External proposal written in response to a request for proposals (RFP) or an invitation for bids (IFB)






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






8. 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






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






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






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






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






13. 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.






14. 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?






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






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






17. 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.






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






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






20. Indicate organizational structure and help readers find information; type size or font should differ from main text.






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






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






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






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






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






26. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.






27. A ____________ is the final document or product that will be submitted once a project is completed.






28. Are reduced images of pictures.






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






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






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






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






33. Written to express disappointment with a product or service and to request a refund - replacement - or an apology






34. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.






35. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.






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






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






38. 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.






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






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






41. Use a synonym or clarifying phrase to explain the meaning of an unfamiliar word; easy to set up links in electronic documents.






42. The _______ is the left-hand column of a table - and it lists the items being compared.






43. External proposal written and submitted without request






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






45. Charts that show parts of a whole






46. 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






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






48. Included either at the beginning of the conclusion or at the end of the body; reviews main points and findings






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






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







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