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






2. Translate numbers into shapes or colors; show camprisons






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






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






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






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?






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






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






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.






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?






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






12. ______ are documents that help people how to understand how to assemble - use - and repair products.






13. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






14. Explaining what the term does not mean.






15. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.






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






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.






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






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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






40. Show steps in a process.






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






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






44. Included before full report; combines main points of a report or proposal; often persuasive






45. External proposal written and submitted without request






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






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






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






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






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