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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. 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






2. External proposal written and submitted without request






3. The attitude expressed by a writer. Use formal or semi when writing for superiors/professionals - Use semi or informal when writing for colleagues and subordinates - Use informal when conversational style is desired. Avoid profanity or slang.






4. 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






5. ______ ______ ______ 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






6. Show steps in a process.






7. 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.






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






10. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.






11. 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






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






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






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






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






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






17. 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.






18. 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






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






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






21. 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.






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






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






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






25. 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.






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






27. 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






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






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






30. 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






31. Explain how an item or process works






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






33. Used when requesting large amounts of money






34. Written to accompany a resume when seeking an internship or employment; explains how skills and experience match a specific job position.






35. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






44. 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.






45. 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?






46. 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?






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






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






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






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