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






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






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






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






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






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






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






8. When using a ______________ - center the return address - date - and closing - and align body paragraphs to the left.






9. 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






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






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






12. These kinds of reports answer the following questions: The reason for conducting the test or investigation - Problems - Results and Conclusion






13. Explain how an item or process works






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






15. Are reduced images of pictures.






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






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






18. 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)






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






20. 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.






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






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






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






24. 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






25. 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.






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






27. Dividing information into manageable pieces so that the document is easier for readers to follow and understand - Writers use various sequencing methods to do this.






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






29. 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.






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






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






32. 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






33. 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






34. Included before full report; summarized version of report






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






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






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






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






39. 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






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






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






42. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.






43. Translate numbers into shapes or colors; show camprisons






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






45. 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?






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






47. 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?






48. ______ ______ ______ 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






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






50. 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.