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Technical Writing Vocab

Subject : 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. Describes the process from the writer's point of view






2. Reports that require length - extensive research - multiple writers






3. Written step by step instructions






4. Written for skilled and unskilled






5. Basic elements: Reason for study - Equipment and procedures -Problems - results - conclusions






6. Necessary characteristics: Summery - Interpretation - and Recommendations






7. Learning as much as possible about the individuals who will be using the document






8. Alphabetical - lists definitions of words - Short and precise definitions - Required if there are more than 5 terms in need of definitions. They should be defined in the text or as a footnote as well.






9. Used for complex terms - or when it has multiple meanings. Indicate item - classify - and says what makes it unique.






10. Reports that evaluate - estimate - make recommendations






11. Offer firsthand experience with the subject.






12. Clarifies information presented in the document. Sometimes more than one is needed. If so - they must be in order that they appear in the text - and each is named A - B - etc...






13. Written for repair technicians. Contain trouble shooting chart






14. Includes the name - title - company - and address of the intended recipient.






15. Domain name - purpose of the message? - how recent? - author's credentials? Avoid using only one source.






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






17. Words & phrases that are not generally used in modern communications but were common in previous decades.






18. Communication written for and about business & industry - focusing on products and services; presented in a user-friendly format






19. Translate numbers into shapes or colors






20. 1-2 pages - well organized - easy to read - free of mistakes.






21. Teaching tools for vocational jobs - often paired with audiovisual info






22. Show steps in process






23. A subject-oriented description






24. (Structured reports) - Reports that keep reader informed on a large project






25. Reports that can be used for policies - instructions - recommending - and requesting info. Written to colleagues.






26. Describes how something works - breaks down process into steps






27. The abstract before the full report that summarizes version of report






28. Describing order of assembly and how it was put together






29. Show the details of how parts of an object fit together.






30. Written for readers that do not work for the company that prepared the document.






31. Breaks up a topic and decribes it in a direction. Kinda like temporal - but its directional. Up to down - left to right.






32. Main part of the body is explaining parts of a whole. Each point is a part.






33. Summaries either at the beginning or end of the body - reviews main points and findings






34. Front matter - cover letter - title page - table of contents - body: summery - intro - problem - rationale - cost - expertise - responsibility - sales pitch - request for approval - conclusion back matter: appendix - bibliography - glossary






35. Sent when the writer is dissatisfied with a product or service.






36. External proposal requesting funding for a study






37. Uses extensive detail for the item. Can be several pages long.






38. Explaining how the item works






39. Often help the reader determine if s/he wants to read it. A good one includes topic - tone - scope - purpose.






40. Definition uses a synonym or a clarifying phrase.






41. Use of icons to represent quantities. Nice for nonexperts to understand






42. A clause that can stand alone as a sentence if punctuation is added.






43. Margins justified on the left are easier to read.






44. Explanation of what the term does NOT mean






45. Areas that are occupied by text.






46. Specialized language used in a field of study or profession.






47. The people who need the information & will use it to make decisions.






48. Summaries before full report - includes main points and proposal - often persuasive






49. Show trends and changes over time






50. Useful in reports discussing problems and solutions