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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. 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.






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






3. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






10. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






16. The page area that contains no text or graphics - and it helps draw a reader's attention to a particular page element. Improves the readability of a document for all types of readers. Although it limits the amount of information on a page - it does n






17. Show steps in a process.






18. 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






19. 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.






20. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






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






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






23. Charts that show parts of a whole






24. 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.






25. Too brief and general to convey the complexity of a term with multiple meanings.






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






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






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






29. Included before full report; summarized version of report






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






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






32. External proposal written in response to a request for proposals (RFP) or an invitation for bids (IFB)






33. 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?






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


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






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






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






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






39. Are reduced images of pictures.






40. 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






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






42. External proposal written and submitted without request






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






44. Data organized visually for easy comparison






45. 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.






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






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






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. 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






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