Test your basic knowledge |

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. Discuss history - development - and applications for the term - unless readers are only attempting to perform a task related to the term.






2. A ____________ is the final document or product that will be submitted once a project is completed.






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






4. 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






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






6. Data organized visually for easy comparison






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






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






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






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






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






12. Used for writing step-by-step instructions.






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






14. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.






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






16. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






17. Use images or icons to represent quantities; useful for non-experts to grasp ideas.






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






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






20. Written for unskilled individuals. The steps required to complete a task safely and efficiently - such as installing a memory card into a laptop. i.e. printed manuals - user manuals.






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






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






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






24. 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.






25. 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






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






27. Useful in highlighting sections of a document to draw reader attention






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






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






30. Letter format most appropriate with letterhead stationery - all letter elements are aligned to the left margin - and company letterhead is commonly used.






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






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






33. Included before full report; summarized version of report






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






35. ______ ______ ______ 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






36. 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.






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






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






39. 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.






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






41. 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






42. 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






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






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






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






46. 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.






47. 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.






48. 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






49. Explaining what the term does not mean.






50. Show steps in a process.