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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. Are reduced images of pictures.






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






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






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






5. Included before full report; summarized version of report






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






7. Explaining what the term does not mean.






8. Used when requesting large amounts of money






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






10. 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






11. Data organized visually for easy comparison






12. Consist of brief phrases that indicate a document's method of development - and they are primarily used for short documents like letters and memos.






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






14. Explain how an item or process works






15. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.






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






17. 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






18. 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






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






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






21. 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






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






23. Show steps in a process.






24. 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?






25. 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






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






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






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






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






30. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






36. 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?






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. Written to describe events like safety emergencies - equipment problems - and workplace accidents.






39. 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?






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






41. 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.






42. 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.






43. Show real or imaginary objects; highlight specific parts; use exploded view to show how parts fit together.






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






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






46. 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






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






48. 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






49. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






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