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






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






3. 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?






4. Included before full report; summarized version of report






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






6. 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.






7. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






14. 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.






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






16. 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






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






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






19. 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.






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






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






23. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.






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






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






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






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






28. 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






29. 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






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






31. 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.






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






34. 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






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






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






37. 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






38. 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?






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






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






41. Written for trained operators of construction - computer - or manufacturing equipment for use on the job; includes instructions and safety information.

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






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






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






45. 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.






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






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






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






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






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