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






2. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






3. Show steps in a process.






4. External proposal written and submitted without request






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






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






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






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






9. 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.






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






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






12. 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






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






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






15. Used when requesting large amounts of money






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






17. 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.






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






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






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






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






22. 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






23. Charts that show parts of a whole






24. 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






25. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






31. Explaining what the term does not mean.






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






33. 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






34. 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.






35. Explain how an item or process works






36. 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






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






38. 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






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






40. Included before full report; summarized version of report






41. 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?






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






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






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






45. 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.






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






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






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






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






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