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






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






3. ______ ______ ______ 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






4. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.






5. 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.






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






7. Written as a self-study guide for the users of a product; intended to guide first-time users through the steps involved in operating a product.






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






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






10. It emphasizes abilities and skills rather than work history. This type of resume is appropriate for people who are changing careers or who have limited work experience. Education and references are included but not stressed.






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






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






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






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






15. External proposal written and submitted without request






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






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






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






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






20. 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






21. Major teaching tool in vocational jobs; used to train people in a procedure or skill and often paired with audiovisual information






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






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






24. 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?






25. 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






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






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






28. 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






29. 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






30. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.






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






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






33. 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.






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






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






36. 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.






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






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






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






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






41. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






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






43. 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.






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






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






46. Translate numbers into shapes or colors; show camprisons






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






48. 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






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






50. Explain how an item or process works







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Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?


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