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. 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.






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






3. ______ ______ ______ 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






4. 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?






5. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






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






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






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






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






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






11. Show steps in a process.






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






13. 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






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






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






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






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






18. Translate numbers into shapes or colors; show camprisons






19. 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.






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






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






22. 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.






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






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






25. 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






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






27. Used when requesting large amounts of money






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






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






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






31. 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.






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


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






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






35. Consist of brief phrases that indicate a document's method of development - and they are primarily used for short documents like letters and memos.






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






37. Advantages: gaining a better understanding of how the audience will read the document - each member of the group provides more questions and suggestions Disadvantages: disjointed writing styles - increased time to complete the project - and reduced m






38. 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






39. Explain policies - and proposals persuade readers to follow a plan of action.






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






41. A formal document longer than ten pages usually includes a table of contents to simplify the process of locating information. It's included after the title and abstract - but before the list of tables - forward and preface.






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






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






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






45. 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.






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






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






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






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






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