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Test your basic knowledge |
DSST Technical Writing
Start Test
Study First
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. Detailed - usually multipage commercial document containing descriptions of product/servive/project for marketing purposes.
Job Application Letters
Brochure
Sales Proposal
Etymology
2. Translate numbers into shapes or colors; show camprisons
Bar graphs
Analysis of parts
Resume
White space
3. 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
Glossary
Line Graphs
Orphan
Data Validity
4. Defining through __________ involves comparing two seemingly different objects that share a common characteristic.
Non Technical
Analogy
Widow
Pictograms
5. Use these to show the meaning of a process or concept.
Informative Abstract
Visuals
Spatial pattern
Solicited Proposal
6. 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?
Grant or Research Proposal
Passive voice and helping verbs
Audience Analysis Questions
Modified-block style
7. 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
Appendix
Relative pronouns
Titles and headings
Deliverable
8. They are different from Memos - since they correspond to people outside of the organization instead of inside.
Solicited Proposal
Manuals
Letters
Informative Abstract
9. 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.
Sequential pattern
Widows
Transitional phrases
Directives
10. 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?
Diagrams
Feasibility Reports
Analogy
Topic outlines
11. Informal written communications used in business between colleagues. The provide a record trail of decisions that can be used legally.
Etymology
Collaborative writing
Memos
Tutorials
12. ______ are documents that help people how to understand how to assemble - use - and repair products.
Sentence outlines
Negative definitions
Manuals
Pie charts
13. Increase the wordiness of a sentence
Procedures
Passive voice and helping verbs
Analogy
Line Graphs
14. Explaining what the term does not mean.
Tables
Negation
Contractions
Resume
15. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.
The functional resume format
Formal Internal Proposal
Justification
Lists
16. Used when extensive details are required about an item; may be a paragraph or numerous pages depending on the audience and purpose.
Non Technical
Expanded Definition
Sentence outlines
Job Application Letters
17. 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.
Inquiry Letters
The functional resume format
Chronological pattern
Sentence Definition
18. 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
Orphan
Informative Abstract
Manuals
Use Manuals
19. 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.
Relative pronouns
Tone
Brochure
Analysis of parts
20. Follows a sequence of events; useful for explanations of how something is done or how an accident occurred.
Chronological pattern
Diagrams
Executive Summary
Orphan
21. Written for trained operators of construction - computer - or manufacturing equipment for use on the job; includes instructions and safety information.
22. Explain how an item or process works
Operation
Manuals
The functional resume format
Service Manuals
23. Use a synonym or clarifying phrase to explain the meaning of an unfamiliar word; easy to set up links in electronic documents.
Sentence outlines
Glossary
Claim Letters
Parenthetical Definition
24. 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
Brochure
Service Manuals
Semi Technical
Sentence outlines
25. Commonly used to outline longer documents like reports - proposals - and manuals.
Background
Conclusion
Cause and Effect
Sentence outlines
26. External proposal written in response to a request for proposals (RFP) or an invitation for bids (IFB)
Negative definitions
Solicited Proposal
Parenthetical Definition
First-level and second-level
27. Written to describe events like safety emergencies - equipment problems - and workplace accidents.
Parallel sentences
Incident or trouble reports
Process Description
Operation
28. Boldface - italics - capital letters - font style - and font size are common ways to show readers the difference between _________________ headings.
Headings
Line Graphs
First-level and second-level
Captions
29. External proposal that may be short or long depending on the size of the potential sale
Sales Proposal
Formal Internal Proposal
Closing Summary
Color
30. 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
Resume
Appendix
Incident or trouble reports
Parenthetical Definition
31. Describing the terms origin - such as Greek or Latin words
Etymology
Glossary
White space
First-level and second-level
32. 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.
Incident or trouble reports
Widows
Procedures
Table of Contents
33. Included either at the beginning of the conclusion or at the end of the body; reviews main points and findings
Headings
Progress Reports
Closing Summary
Usability testing
34. Indicate organizational structure and help readers find information; type size or font should differ from main text.
Formal Internal Proposal
Subordination
Solicited Proposal
Headings
35. Often include section topic - date - page number - and title of document.
White space
Headers and footers
Sentence Definition
Data Validity
36. ____________________ in a sentence indicates the relationship between ideas; structuring a sentence with effective ______________ improves conciseness.
Chronological pattern
Visuals
Subordination
White space
37. Used when writing about one subject that is similar to another.
Comparison
Manuals
Background
Visuals
38. Describes the physical appearance of an object or area beginning at one point and ending at another; useful for product or mechanism descriptions
Spatial pattern
Headers
Sales Proposal
Resume
39. 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
Line Graphs
Relative pronouns
High Technical
Transitional phrases
40. Show steps in a process.
Flowcharts
Deliverable
Use Manuals
Widows
41. Single ___ for larger typeface; double for smaller typeface. Avoid orphans and widows.
Stub
Usability testing
Headers
Columns
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)
Solicited Proposal
Parallel sentences
Collaborative writing
Precise
43. Begins with either the cause of the effect; useful in reports discussing problems and solutions
Line Graphs
Chronological pattern
Pictograms
Cause and Effect
44. Included before full report; combines main points of a report or proposal; often persuasive
Drawings
Executive Summary
Cause and Effect
Resume
45. External proposal written and submitted without request
Unsolicited proposal
Routine Internal Proposal
Thumbnails
Tutorials
46. Illustrate relationships in systems - such as components in an electronic device
Diagrams
Sentence definitions
Routine Internal Proposal
Background
47. Major teaching tool in vocational jobs; used to train people in a procedure or skill and often paired with audiovisual information
Training Manuals
Data Validity Questions
Descriptive Abstract
Contractions
48. The extent to which data has been verified to be accurate
Closing Summary
Bar graphs
Widows
Data Validity
49. Written for repair technicians; contain troubleshooting charts for diagnosing problems
Memorandum Structure
Gantt charts
Passive voice and helping verbs
Service Manuals
50. Involves dividing an idea into different parts and explaining each part separately.
Partition
Tone
Feasibility Reports
High Technical