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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. Consist of brief phrases that indicate a document's method of development - and they are primarily used for short documents like letters and memos.






2. 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.






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






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






5. 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?






6. 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.






7. Used when requesting large amounts of money






8. 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.






9. 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






10. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.






11. Show steps in a process.






12. 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?






13. 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






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






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






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






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






18. Used for complex terms or when term has multiple meanings. Follows a fixed patter: indicate the term to be defined - the class in which the time belongs - and the features that make the item unique in its class.






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






20. 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






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






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






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






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






25. Are reduced images of pictures.






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






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






28. 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.






29. 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?






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






31. 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






32. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.






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






34. Charts that show parts of a whole






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






36. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






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






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






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






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






41. These kinds of reports answer the following questions: What has been accomplished since the last progress report? - What tasks still need to be accomplished? - Have there been any unanticipated problems? - What is the expected timetable for completio






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






43. Letter format most appropriate with letterhead stationery - all letter elements are aligned to the left margin - and company letterhead is commonly used.






44. Explain how each element of a complex item works - which is especially beneficial to laypersons attempting to understand a technical subject.






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






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






47. 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






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






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






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