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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. 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.






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






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






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






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






7. Rules and guidelines provided to people who know how to perform a task - These ensure safety within a group. For example - guide on how to exit a building during a fire. Policemen have ________ they do after at a crime scene.






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






9. Included before full report; summarized version of report






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






11. 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?






12. Are reduced images of pictures.






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






14. 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






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






16. 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.






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






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






19. 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






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






21. 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






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






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






24. 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.






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






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






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






28. 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.






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






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






31. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






32. 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






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






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






35. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






47. A single line carried over the top of a column






48. Show steps in a process.






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






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