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






2. The extent to which data has been verified to be accurate






3. Used when requesting large amounts of money






4. 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?






5. 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.






6. 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






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


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






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






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






11. 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.






12. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.






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






14. 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






15. 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.






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






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






18. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






25. 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






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






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






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






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






30. 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.






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






32. 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






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






34. This describes how something works and breaks down something into steps or parts. (e.g. how to make a dvd player - how to apply for a loan)






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






36. 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






37. 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.






38. ______ ______ ______ 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






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






40. Explain how an item or process works






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






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






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






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






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






46. 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






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






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






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






50. Translate numbers into shapes or colors; show camprisons