tech writing 1 final
Field research typically yields what type of data? a. data that cannot be measured precisely b. percentage-based data c. data that illuminates methodologies d. numerical data
a. data that cannot be measured precisely
An argument using an appeal to pity is focused on what element? a. emotion b. memory c. logic d. the speaker or writer
a. emotion
You are writing the second edition of a user manual to be included with software sold to the general public. You want to reuse a portion of the introductory materials from the first edition but cannot determine who wrote that section or what the contractual conditions were. What should you do? a. nothing b. rewrite the introductory materials yourself c. register the work with the appropriate government agency d. include a disclaimed when you insert the materials from the first edition
a. nothing
Chapter 8 lists four characteristics that can help you establish an effective professional persona. One is cooperativeness. Which of the following is NOT one of the other characteristics listed in the chapter? a. fair-mindedness b. self-control c. moderation d. modesty
b. self-control
Which of these is a measure of excellence in technical communication? a. celerity b. terseness c. plainness d. accuracy
d. accuracy
Which word best describes the kind of information found in reference works? a. exploratory b. experimental c. cutting-edge d. foundational
d. foundational
(T/F) Communicating diplomatically involves a critical tone.
false
(T/F) When working with a reader who is hostile to your subject or to your approach to the subject, you should first state your position, followed by your rationale for that position.
false
Which statement best exemplifies a modest persona? a. "I think the Hughes Security system will give us most of the features we are looking for." b. "The president of Hughes Security is a personal friend, and I know they can't possibly let us down." c. "I researched all the options, and I am positive that the Hughes Security system is the only reasonable option." d. "I know the Hughes Security system will give us the features we are looking for."
a. "I think the Hughes Security system will give us most of the features we are looking for."
A writer is commenting on the first draft of a technical report written by another team member. Which comment is most appropriate?
a. "Section 3 does a great job of making a case for the importance of our usability testing. Perhaps we should also include a graph showing a decrease in customer-service calls since we started testing. We may also want to add a section on user feedback."
Which of the following mistakes did McDonald's make when it printed takeout bags decorated with flags from around the world? a. The bags shows a Saudi flag, which depicts holy scripture from the Koran. The Saudis were offended because these bags would be thrown out b. The bags shows a pair of hands holding a flag in a way that customers in some cultures would interpret as an obscene gesture c. Some of the flags were labeled with the wrong country names d. The writing on the bags was in English, which offended numerous nonnative speakers
a. The bags shows a Saudi flag, which depicts holy scripture from the Koran. The Saudis were offended because these bags would be thrown out
According to Chapter 5, which approach is best when writing for multiple audiences? a. a modular approach b. a linear approach c. an attitudinal approach d. an experiential approach
a. a modular approach
The following statement appears in a university's report to its board of regents: "Several other notable universities, including Stanford and Harvard, are offering massive, open online classes, or MOOCs. It is imperative for Old State University to keep pace in the educational marketplace." What type of reasoning does the passage display? a. ad populum argument b. circular argument c. arguing from ignorance d. ad hominem argument
a. ad populum argument
Which source is LEAST likely to be valuable when you have a question about new trends in the semiconductor industry? a. an encyclopedia b. a journal article published this year c. a blog written by an analyst who covers the semiconductor industry d. the website for semiconductor magazine
a. an encyclopedia
What is the term for demographic information about individuals who use and follow social media? a. analytics b. analysis c. big data d. mined data
a. analytics
Which of these guidelines will help you listen effectively? a. ask questions to clarify what the speaker said b. keep your eyes down and avoid distracting the speaker c. write down everything the speaker says d. allow your mind to wander and trust that you will be able to refocus
a. ask questions to clarify what the speaker said
Juliana was assigned to analyze the process her company uses to write proposals. She worked on her report for more than a month. Rashmi in the marketing department and John in the finance department gave Juliana a lot of information and had several meetings with her. Juliana placed an acknowledgments section in her report, where she thanked Rashmi and John. What standard best explains Juliana's decision to acknowledge her colleagues? a. care b. justice c. rights d. utility
a. care
You are writing a report analyzing whether your company should hire a new vendor to provide data-warehousing services. You have found a white paper online that looks promising. How can you judge the degree to which the authors are unbiased? a. check to see if the authors work as industry-wide consultants or as contractors for specific vendors b. check to see if the authors appear to be related to each other c. check to see if the authors have advanced degrees d. check to see if the authors have offices in the same cities as your potential data-service vendors
a. check to see if the authors work as industry-wide consultants or as contractors for specific vendors
Of the options below, which is the most effective way to organize a discussion highlighting the most important events in your company's 31-year history? a. chronological b. partition c. spatial d. comparison and contrast
a. chronological
According to Chapter 4, which features of word-processing software are particularly useful in collaboration? a. comment, revision, and highlighting b. find and replace c. thesaurus and spell-checker d. templates
a. comment, revision, and highlighting
According to Chapter 3, today's composition tools can help you do all EXCEPT which one of the following? a. convert text into infographics b. keep track of research data c. translate text into other languages d. convert handwriting into text
a. convert text into infographics
A team of writers is just beginning a new documentation project. The client for the team's last project complained that the completed document kept switching from active to passive voice and that the design of the headings was not visually consistent. Which action is the team's best approach to avoiding such problems on the current project? a. create a style sheet b. create document template c. establish clear work procedures d. discuss cultural differences
a. create a style sheet
According to Chapter 6, conducting an experiment involves four stages. One is reporting the data. Which of the following is NOT one of the other three? a. duplicating the experiment b. testing the hypothesis c. analyzing the data d. establishing a hypothesis
a. duplicating the experiment
According to Chapter 2, saying that a recently fired employee was "offered an alternative career opportunity" would be an example of which of the following? a. euphemism b. legalistic construction c. exaggeration d. none of the options are correct
a. euphemism
Which of the techniques listed below for making a persuasive case does the writer use? In the past four years, the department's crime lab has experienced an increase in fingerprint evidence for comparisons. The increase in volume is a result of submissions from other rural agencies in the state. However, because our agency cannot access data maintained within the state's Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), submissions are limited to manual searches of the files maintained by our department. You can imagine the likelihood of missing a fingerprint match while looking through thousands of fingerprints by hand. In fact, Harlan Andrews, a Senior Investigator at the Federal Bureau of Investigation's laboratory, reports that manual searches often fail to find matches when in fact fingerprint matches exist. To prevent such errors, our department needs to upgrade its computer system to allow access to AFIS.
a. expert testimony
According to Chapter 5, what should you do once you have analyzed your audience and purpose? a. get management's approval b. begin drafting c. conduct research d. outline the document
a. get management's approval
A writer who is researching a state agency's transition from paper-based reports to electronic reports has scheduled an interview with a senior writer at the agency. Which of the following interview questions is likely to be most effective? a. how do you think electronic reports will change your job? b. what is the future of paper? c. do you think having paperless reports is worth the effort required to learn the new software? d. why do you write reports?
a. how do you think electronic reports will change your job?
You are interviewing the mayor of your city for a report on the prospects for high-tech manufacturing there. Which of the following questions will be most effective in an interview? a. how well are tax incentives helping to retain expanding companies? b. do companies complain about the tax system here? c. are tax incentives helping to retain expanding companies? d. how long have you been the mayor?
a. how well are tax incentives helping to retain expanding companies?
The following statement appears in a proposal to install a large pond near an amphitheater: "Jones Company is an expert in pond preparation. We installed our first pond at Jameson Park earlier this year." What type of reasoning does the passage display? a. inadequate sampling b. arguing from ignorance c. arguing from authority d. post hoc reasoning
a. inadequate sampling
Which of the following is NOT a reason to use an audience profile sheet for a writing project? a. it gives you a way to tell your audience what you know about them b. it prompts you to ask questions about your target audience c. it helps you remember what you've learned about your target audience d. it helps you realize when you need to learn more about your target audience
a. it gives you a way to tell your audience what you know about them
When your state's revenues for the year are 40 percent below estimates, the state legislature cuts education funds by 40 percent but reduces farmers' subsides by only 20 percent. Which moral standard does this action violate? a. justice b. utility c. care d. rights
a. justice
The following two headings indicate which type of organizational pattern? Two Tasks You Must Complete Today Other Tasks That Need Your Attention a. more important to less important b. whole-by-whole comparison c. general to specific d. problem-methods-solution
a. more important to less important
Your company, Acme Co., is sponsoring a three-hour field day for children at a local park, featuring games, sports, and snacks. Parents must sign up their children online. Your company wants to take pictures of children at the event, but it needs parents' permission. Which option best describes an ethical way to get parents' permission?
a. place a checkbox on the online form next to test that reads "I agree to allow Acme Co. to take pictures of my child or children to record and promote field-day activities." Design the form so that this checkbox is not checked when the parent gets to that page
According to Chapter 6, in which phase of the writing process is it best to conduct research? a. planning b. proofreading c. editing d. revising
a. planning
Chapter 3 describes the writing process as a series of stages. What are the five main steps of the writing process? a. planning, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading b. choosing a template, modifying the template, drafting, revising, and editing c. planning, outlining, drafting, reviewing, and proofreading d. brainstorming, researching, organizing, drafting, and editing
a. planning, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading
Which terms below are used in Chapter 5 to describe types of audiences? a. primary, secondary, and tertiary b. fundamental and supplemental c. internal and external d. expert and non-expert
a. primary, secondary, and tertiary
Which of the factors listed below did the writer of the following memo fail to take into account? TO: University Faculty Advisors FROM: David Gates, Ph.D., Department of Psychology SUBJECT: New course offered--PSYC 499, Self-Fulfillment in a Global Society Enclosed is a flyer briefly describing PSYC 499. After you read through the flyer, post it in a conspicuous place, e.g., on your door. Or, better yet, make copies and hand them out in your class. The course will explore how individuals in our society can maintain a sense of self in these increasingly uncertain times. So tell students in your course and your advisees about this new timely course. a. readers' attitudes and expectations b. the physical and digital environment in which readers will read the document c. readers' education and professional experience d. readers' personal characteristics
a. readers' attitudes and expectations
A team of writers regularly collaborate to produce technical reports that have identical design specifications. Which of the following word-processing tools would best help them to work efficiently? a. report template b. branching diagram c. grammar checker d. thesaurus
a. report template
You work for a semiconductor manufacturer. You are writing a quarterly report on the activities within your section of the company. One of the people who will read your report is Lila Waltman, divisional vice president. You search online for information about her. Which piece of information is most likely to help you as you write the report? a. she is an active member of the local chapter of IEEE, a professional society for the electronics industry b. she is an active member of a distance-running group c. she is an active member of the local chapter of her university's alumni association d. she is an active member of the community board for a local animal shelter
a. she is an active member of the local chapter of IEEE, a professional society for the electronics industry
You are writing a proposal to restructure your department's organizational chart. Your manager was a member of the committee that originally set up the department's current structure. Which purpose statement would be best for a proposal to your manager? a. the purpose of this proposal is to show how we can recognize our department to improve our efficiency while keeping intact the values that have allowed us to succeed to this point b. the purpose of this proposal is to show how to solve all of our productivity problems and remove all the barriers to effective communication c. the purpose of this proposal is to show why it's time for "out with the old and in with the new" d. the purpose of this proposal is to explain why we have no choice but to scrap our ineffective organizational structure
a. the purpose of this proposal is to show how we can recognize our department to improve our efficiency while keeping intact the values that have allowed us to succeed to this point
Which action is likely to cause a team that is writing collaboratively to produce an inferior document? a. the team avoids conflict b. team members act as the audience for the document c. team members divide up the workload d. the team shares a common goal
a. the team avoids conflict
Chapter 1 identifies common reasons for creating technical documents. Which reason in the following list is NOT mentioned in the chapter? a. to establish common knowledge in the marketplace b. to help others carry out a task c. to help others make a decision d. to change attitudes about a technology or an issue
a. to establish common knowledge in the marketplace
Chapter 1 states that technical communicators use design to increase readability and make their documents more effective. Which of the following is an example of a design feature? a. typography b. effective topic sentences c. easy-to-understand vocabulary d. definitions of key terms
a. typography
Which of the following is an example of an informational constraint that you might confront when completing a project? a. you have located advertising brochures and testimonials associated with the subject you're writing about, but you can't find reports on the kinds of controlled tests that would convince a skeptical reader b. your document would be most effective if it were printed in color, but your budget will allow for only black-and-white printing c. you believe that your proposal would benefit the company, but you know that your manager strongly disagrees d. you know that your proposal would help the company, but you also know that the company can't afford to act on your proposal
a. you have located advertising brochures and testimonials associated with the subject you're writing about, but you can't find reports on the kinds of controlled tests that would convince a skeptical reader
Which statement does NOT overstate the speaker's position? a. "It is not possible that anyone is more qualified for this job than we are." b. "We prepared our document carefully, and I think we have highlighted our strengths successfully." c. "We're the indisputable leaders in this market niche. There's no way anyone can offer better features than we do." d. "I know one of the members of the review panel, and I am positive that he will stick up for us when they pick their finalists."
b. "we prepared our document carefully, and i think we have highlighted our strengths successfully."
You are writing a report about technical methods used for desalination of seawater. Which of these resources is LEAST likely to provide the technical information you need? a. a blog by a leading expert in desalination b. a website for professional water-treatment engineers c. a book about industrial desalination d. a discussion forum about ecology
b. a discussion forum about ecology
What does a professional do when conducting an inspection? a. apply their clients' criteria b. apply their knowledge and professional judgement c. get inspiration for innovative solutions d. interview the members of the relevant team
b. apply their knowledge and professional judgement
The following statement appears in a brochure supporting a law to allow ducks on a lake on a college campus: "In the other states that have allowed ducks on campus, we know of no adverse encounters between ducks and people to date." What type of reasoning does the passage display? a. circular argument b. arguing from ignorance c. post hoc reasoning d. arguing from authority
b. arguing from ignorance
Chapter 4 offers seven guidelines for communicating diplomatically. Which of these is a guideline from the chapter? a. follow your emotions if someone opposes you b. ask pertinent questions c. avoid qualifier statements such as "I think ..." or "It seems to me ..." d. use strong language--it is better to appear overbearing than to appear weak and indecisive
b. ask pertinent questions
Chapter 4 offers several suggestions for conducting efficient meetings. Which of these is NOT a suggestion from the chapter? a. have one team member write down the decisions made at each meeting b. avoid a formal schedule and make sure each team member gets to say whatever is on his or her mind c. summarize the major decisions and assign tasks to finish before the next meeting d. be aware of group members' body language and nonverbal communication
b. avoid a formal schedule and make sure each team member gets to say whatever is on his or her mind
Which method of addressing opposing viewpoints is likely to be LEAST effective? a. point out any problems in the logic of the opposing viewpoint or the facts used to support it b. avoid discussing the opposing viewpoint c. try to reconcile the opposing viewpoint with your own d. show that the opposing viewpoint is less strong and attractive than your own
b. avoid discussing the opposing viewpoint
Of the options listed below, which is the most effective way to organize a document describing the events that led to an Internet company's bankruptcy? a. comparison and contrast b. chronological c. classification d. problem-methods-solution
b. chronological
Chapter 4 discusses six advantages of collaboration. Which statement is NOT one of those advantages? a. collaboration draws on a wider knowledge base b. collaboration can lead to groupthink c. collaboration improves communication among employees d. collaboration provides a better idea of how the audience will read the document
b. collaboration can lead to groupthink
Chapter 1 identifies nine measures of excellence in technical communication. Which pair in the following list might seem contradictory? a. accessibility and professional appearance b. comprehensiveness and conciseness c. accuracy and correctness d. conciseness and clarity
b. comprehensiveness and conciseness
Which of these is a process-related factor you must consider when communicating on the job? a. how will your document aid problem solving? b. do your schedule and budget limit how much information you can include in the document? c. what is the problem context for your document? d. what problems is your audience trying to solve?
b. do your schedule and budget limit how much information you can include in the document?
According to Chapter 6, which of these is NOT a tool for secondary research? a. library catalog b. experiment c. online database d. web search engine
b. experiment
Chapter 4 offers seven guidelines for managing your project. Which of these is NOT one of those guidelines? a. break a large project into several smaller tasks b. follow your original schedule strictly to avoid falling behind c. monitor the project regularly d. put your decisions in writing
b. follow your original schedule strictly to avoid falling behind
Your company has completed an audience analysis for the manual you are writing for users of a new accounting system. The manual will be given to the 750 employees in the company's accounting department. Some members of the audience are experienced accountants and others are not; some have MBA degrees and others have bachelor's or associate's degrees; some were recently hired and some are long-term employees; some are managers and some are bookkeepers. How might you best accommodate your audiences? a. write the manual to the lowest level of the audience b. include different sections for the different audiences c. prepare an audience profile sheet d. write the manual to the highest level of the audience
b. include different sections for the different audiences
What does the symbol ® indicate about a word, phrase, or symbol? a. it has been registered for trademark protection under the Regency d'Internationale Agreement of 1996 b. it has been registered for trademark protection with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office c. the company claims the design or device as a trademark but has not yet registered the trademark d. it has been registered for trademark protection with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, but with "reserved" status
b. it has been registered for trademark protection with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
According to Chapter 7, one benefit of using a conventional pattern to organize technical information is that the pattern serves as a template or checklist, helping you remember what information to include. What is the main benefit for your readers, according to the chapter? a. it helps readers associate new information with other information presented in the same pattern b. it helps readers find the information they want because they know where other writes have put similar information c. it keeps readers from becoming bored d. it makes a positive impression on readers
b. it helps readers find the information they want because they know where other writes have put similar information
A writer preparing an electrician's manual is considering inserting company-designed danger symbols to denote the potential for electrocution. In deciding whether to do so, what should the writer's primary concern be? a. copyright law b. liability law c. codes of conduct d. whistle-blowing
b. liability law
Which word best describes the process of writing technical documents? a. static b. nonlinear c. fixed d. linear
b. nonlinear
Which of the following is NOT a category of constraints on your ability to be persuasive in a workplace document? a. political b. partitional c. financial d. personnel
b. partitional
Chapter 5 identifies seven categories of cultural variables "on the surface." One category is political. Which of these is NOT a category of surface cultural variables? a. religious b. philosophical c. social d. economic
b. philosophical
Which of these resources is NOT likely to appear in a library's online database? a. articles from a national newspaper b. posts from a blog c. proceedings from an annual academic conference d. articles from a magazine
b. posts from a blog
Which of the following does Chapter 3 suggest as a method for effective proofreading? a. reading in a quiet space b. reading your document slowly and carefully, perhaps out loud c. relying on the spell-checker and grammar-checker d. reading the revised portions of your document, which you print in a different color
b. reading your document slowly and carefully, perhaps out loud
Which of these best describes the process of revising a document? a. reading closely to make sure you do not have errors in spelling and punctuation b. reexamining your draft to see if it serves your audience and your purpose c. changing your document to improve style, diction, and mechanics d. developing an outline of major points you want to make
b. reexamining your draft to see if it serves your audience and your purpose
Chapter 4 offers six guidelines for participating in a videoconference. Which of these is NOT a suggestion from the chapter? a. practice using the videoconferencing system b. speak louder than usual c. dress as you would for a face-to-face meeting d. arrange for technical support for all participants
b. speak louder than usual
What is a benefit of using styles as you draft your document? a. styles help you find spelling mistakes b. style ensure consistency in the appearance of elements such as headings, lists, and body text c. styles can help you develop a realistic schedule d. styles help you identify errors in grammar and mechanics
b. style ensure consistency in the appearance of elements such as headings, lists, and body text
The standard of utility is concerned with which of the following? a. the relationships we have with other individuals b. the positive and negative effects that an action or a policy has, will have, or might have on others c. the basic needs and welfare of individuals d. whether the positive and negative effects of an action or a policy with be distributed fairly among a group
b. the positive and negative effects that an action or a policy has, will have, or might have on others
Which of these is NOT an effective statement of purpose for a document? a. the purpose of this document is to help employees understand why they will have to pay higher insurance premiums b. the purpose of this document is to change the landscape of enterprise software c. the purpose of this document is to help readers install the 3.0 update to our Wizar-Tater software d. the purpose of this document is to explain why the company should adopt a health-promotion program
b. the purpose of this document is to change the landscape of enterprise software
You are writing a report advocating that your company increase its use of social media. Your manager has said several times that she does not like to mix social media and business. She has pointed out several social-media problems that other companies have created for themselves. Which purpose statement would be best for a report to your manager? a. the purpose of this report is to show how our company can get on the social-media bandwagon before it is too late b. the purpose of this report is to demonstrate how the speed and flexibility of social media can help our company reach a growing audience of young adults with controlled, targeted messaging c. the purpose of this report is to show how the coolest social-media apps can deliver content to a hip, urban audience d. the purpose of this report is to prove that social-media disasters rarely happen and that social media are the wave of the future
b. the purpose of this report is to demonstrate how the speed and flexibility of social media can help our company reach a growing audience of young adults with controlled, targeted messaging
According to the research cited in Chapter 4, which behavior might people from other cultures exhibit? a. being overly critical of other team members b. unwillingness to respond with a definite "no" c. routinely arriving late for team meetings d. unwillingness to meet at certain times
b. unwillingness to respond with a definite "no"
A project manager is reviewing an electronic file of a document written by a team member, and she does not understand the meaning of a term used in the document. What should the project manager do? a. check the change bar for an explanation b. use the comment feature to ask, "Will the reader understand this term?" c. delete the term using the revision feature d. use the highlighting feature to call the writer's attention to the term
b. use the comment feature to ask, "Will the reader understand this term?"
Chapter 4 discusses several ethical pitfalls of using social media at work. Which of these is NOT one of them? a. making defamatory statements about people or organizations b. using social media to collaborate on work-related projects c. using social media at work for nonbusiness purposes d. revealing private or confidential information about people or products
b. using social media to collaborate on work-related projects
Your manager has asked you to recommend which one of two new types of digital camera to buy for your company's publications department. Which of the following is likely to be the best source of information for your report? a. book b. website c. scholarly article d. abstract service
b. website
Which phrase best defines the purpose of a workplace document? a. what you propose to do when you receive permissions b. what you want to accomplish with the document you are producing c. what you want to document for clarity d. what you want to display in words or images
b. what you want to accomplish with the document you are producing
Which of the following preferences does Creative Commons NOT give copyright owners a means to control? a. whether users of the work must attribute it b. whether the copyright will expire after a fixed amount of time c. whether others may alter or build on the existing work d. whether their work can be shared only in noncommercial environments
b. whether the copyright will expire after a fixed amount of time
Chapter 3 lists five factors to think about when considering your writing situation. Three of these factors are your setting, the document type, and the writing process. What are the other two factors? a. legal and ethical considerations b. your audience and purpose c. your team members and your motivation for completing the project d. your budget and your company's guidelines
b. your audience and purpose
Which two things must you clearly understand in order to communicate successfully? a. your software and your hardware b. your audience and your purpose c. your documentation and measures of excellence d. your proposal and your audience
b. your audience and your purpose
Which factor should influence the organizational pattern you choose? a. your document's length b. your readers' expectations c. the numbers of section headings in your document d. all responses are correct
b. your readers' expectations
Which of these comments about a team member's report draft is the least diplomatic? a. "I know the proposal reviewers have very high standards. I think we all will benefit from improving our proofreading skills." b. "I like the statistics that you provide in the introduction. I wonder if the audience will recognize these sources you consulted." c. "You did not write this introduction very well. You left out a lot of important background information." d. "This introduction shows a lot of hard work. Perhaps an additional example would make your point even stronger."
c. "you did not write this introduction very well. you left out a lot of important background information."
Chapter 6 recommends asking clear, focused, and open questions when conducting an interview. Which of the following is an example of a clear, focused, and open question? a. Do you agree with the federal government's stance on net neutrality? b. What is the history of net neutrality? c. In your opinion, what are the advantages of net neutrality? d. How important is net neutrality?
c. In your opinion, what are the advantages of net neutrality?
Steven is selling a used car that is 10 years old. He found a way to set the odometer back 50,000 miles, making his car appear more valuable than it actually is. A potential buyer looks at the car and is amazed at the low mileage. He asks Steven if anyone has tampered with the odometer. Steven replies, "Hey, that would be illegal. No one wants to get caught doing something illegal." What type of misleading statement did Steven make in his reply? a. an exaggeration b. a euphemism c. a false implication d. a double negative
c. a false implication
Which of these resources is likely to be available to employees of a company with a strong ethical culture? a. kickbacks from suppliers or customers b. conflicts of interest c. a formal code of conduct d. a way to avoid regulations that might affect the company's profitability
c. a formal code of conduct
What is an advantage of creating a document collaboratively in a shared workspace rather than working collaboratively on a document via email? a. a shared workspace will create backup files once per day b. a shared workspace ensures that only one format of a file will be available c. a shared workspace will create an archive of all the changes made by all team members d. a shared workspace ensures that only one person can read a document at a time
c. a shared workspace will create an archive of all the changes made by all team members
Chapter 1 identifies skills and qualities shared by successful workplace communicators. Which of the following is NOT on this list? a. ability to analyze information b. ability to speak and write clearly c. ability to write code d. ability to perform research
c. ability to write code
Which of the following is NOT a principle for using the problem-methods-solution pattern of organization? a. describe your methods so that readers understand what you did and why b. avoid overstating claims about your solution c. always describe the methods last d. consider using graphics to complement your text
c. always describe the methods last
You need to find out more about the buying behavior of a large audience. Which of the following techniques is most likely to help you find this information? a. interviewing people b. reading about your audience online c. analyzing social-media data d. checking LinkedIn profiles
c. analyzing social-media data
You are writing a report about new regulations that affect your company. Members of your primary audience of company executives are very busy and will read your report quickly, but secondary--and tertiary--audience members are likely to read more slowly and carefully. Which of the following options is most appropriate for your situation? a. to save time, omit the executive summary and put more details in the body of your report b. follow the patterns of writing that were successful for you in college English and history classes c. break your report into modules and put highly detailed information in an appendix d. include detailed footnotes on each page
c. break your report into modules and put highly detailed information in an appendix
Which quality is evident in the revised version of the following paragraph? Original: During our monthly meeting last month, we all came to the conclusion that overtime procedures are inadequate and that new procedures need to be initiated. I discussed this problem with our chief accountant, who was sympathetic and agreed to consider any changes we would like to make to the present procedures. Please bring your suggested changes to this month's departmental meeting scheduled for 2:30 P.M. next Wednesday afternoon. Revision: During last month's meeting, we concluded that our overtime procedures need revision. Our chief accountant has agreed to consider any changes we would like to make to the present procedures. Please bring your suggested changes to this month's departmental meeting scheduled for 2:30 P.M. next Wednesday. a. comprehensiveness b. accuracy c. conciseness d. correctness
c. conciseness
Which of these is NOT an effective technique for generating ideas about your subject? a. freewriting b. creating a branching diagram c. creating an index d. creating a cluster diagram
c. creating an index
According to Chapter 7, where in your document should you put your main point if you expect that your audience will like what you have to say? a. after the middle of your document b. near the middle of your document c. early in the document d. at the end of your document
c. early in the document
Which are the four categories of evidence to which people usually respond favorably? a. expert testimony, ideologies, numerical data, and commonsense arguments b. numerical data, examples, visual evidence, and celebrity testimony c. examples, numerical data, visual evidence, and expert testimony d. verbal data, numerical data, expert testimony, and implications
c. examples, numerical data, visual evidence, and expert testimony
Chapter 8 discusses four broad goals of an audience. One is security. Which is NOT one of the other three goals? a. recognition b. growth c. fair-mindedness d. connectedness
c. fair-mindedness
Which of the following is NOT a good strategy to use if you know your reader is hostile to your subject? a. address the reader's objections directly in your document b. explain the benefits of what you are proposing before giving you recommendation c. focus on the positive and avoid all mention of any possible objections d. avoid describing the subject as a dispute
c. focus on the positive and avoid all mention of any possible objections
Which of these questions is NOT likely to help you revise your document? a. are the arguments well developed? b. does the draft meet readers' expectations? c. have i kept the project within the available budget? d. have i left out anything in turning my outline into a draft
c. have i kept the project within the available budget?
Chapter 1 identifies five sets of factors to consider when communicating technical information. Which of the following is NOT on this list? a. purpose-related factors b. audience-related factors c. image-related factors d. setting-related factors
c. image-related factors
How does culture affect the process of persuasion? a. it determines the structure of effective arguments but does not affect the content b. culture is unrelated to the process of persuasion c. it determines what makes an argument persuasive and how to structure an argument d. it determines the content of effective arguments but does not affect how they are structured
c. it determines what makes an argument persuasive and how to structure an argument
Which of these guidelines is NOT likely to help your team work effectively and efficiently? a. choose a team leader b. establish a work schedule c. let team members assign themselves tasks d. establish procedures for resolving conflict productively
c. let team members assign themselves tasks
What does liability law have to do with technical communication? a. liability law requires instructions to fit on a single printed page b. liability law regulates the words and pictures available for use in sets of instructions c. liability law says that a manufacturer or seller of a product is liable for injuries or damages cause by the use of that product d. liability law puts the responsibility for product safety on consumers
c. liability law says that a manufacturer or seller of a product is liable for injuries or damages cause by the use of that product
Books are a common type of secondary research source. Chapter 6 identifies four other secondary research sources. Which of the following is NOT one of them? a. government documents b. newspapers c. library catalogs d. periodicals
c. library catalogs
A writer is developing a questionnaire asking users about their experiences with a company's website. Which of the following questions is NOT flawed? a. The flawed graphics made it hard for me to order parts using this site. Yes____ No____ b. I was able to easily find answers to my questions. Disagree____ Neutral____ Agree____ c. List the top three reasons you visit this site: d. Should we make this site better? Yes____ No____
c. list the top three reasons you visit this site:
Which of the following is a kind of error that writers should look for when proofreading? a. problems with paragraph development b. problems with the design of the document c. minor errors such as inconsistent spelling, incorrect punctuation, and missing and repeated words d. problems with the organization of the document
c. minor errors such as inconsistent spelling, incorrect punctuation, and missing and repeated words
According to Chapter 3, how much time can someone expect to spend planning a writing project? a. one hour for every ten pages b. about one-tenth of the total time spent on the writing project c. more than one-third of the total time spent on the writing project d. as little as possible
c. more than one-third of the total time spent on the writing project
Which of the following is NOT a guideline for using the comparison-and-contrast pattern of organization? a. evaluate each item according to the criteria you have established b. consider using graphics to complement the test c. once you've ordered the second-level items, arrange them spatially d. choose either the whole-by-whole or the part-by-part pattern or some combination of the two, then order the second-level items
c. once you've ordered the second-level items, arrange them spatially
When used as evidence, what does an effective example do? a. it makes concrete ideas more figurative b. it makes abstractions less didactic c. it makes abstract ideas more concrete d. it makes concrete ideas more abstract
c. present the reasoning behind the new policy and then state the policy
Your company has just adopted a policy of tracking employee emails to determine which employee is leaking confidential information. Because you know that this policy will be unpopular with company employees, which is the best strategy for announcing the policy to employees in a memorandum? a. state the policy and then provide the reasoning b. state the reasoning behind the new policy and then state the policy in a follow-up memorandum c. present the reasoning behind the new policy and then state the policy d. state only the new policy
c. present the reasoning behind the new policy and then state the policy
Which of these is an easily observed, "surface" cultural variable? a. distance between business and private life b. distance between ranks c. prevalence of religion d. tolerance of uncertainty
c. prevalence of religion
According to Chapter 1, most technical communication has six characteristics. One characteristic is that technical communication helps readers solve problems. Which of the following is another characteristic of technical communication? a. technical communication strives to both entertain and educate readers b. technical communication is most often aimed at a general audience rather than at a particular audience c. technical communication reflects an organization's goals and culture d. technical communication uses technical vocabulary as often as possible
c. technical communication reflects an organization's goals and culture
Which statement identifies a benefit of using a preformatted template for your writing project? a. templates do not need to be changed; in fact, often you cannot change them b. readers learn to memorize documents made from templates they have already seen c. templates can save you time on formatting and allow you to focus on creating effective content d. you can trust that templates always reflect good principles of design and layout
c. templates can save you time on formatting and allow you to focus on creating effective content
Which of these abilities is NOT likely to help you as a workplace communicator? a. the ability to analyze information b. the ability to perform research c. the ability to deflect attention d. the ability to speak and write clearly
c. the ability to deflect attention
According to Chapter 2, ethicists such as Manuel Velasquez (2011) argue that whistle-blowing is justified if three conditions are satisfied. One condition is that there is strong evidence that the organization is doing something that is hurting or will hurt other parties. What is one other condition? a. the employee can be reasonably certain he or she will not be penalized for whistle-blowing b. the wrongdoing involved members of a minority group or affects individuals granted specific rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act c. the employee has made a serious attempt to resolved the problem through internal channels d. the employee has suffered personal harm as a result of the wrongdoing, such as the loss of a promotion, a substantial decrease in salary, or physical injury
c. the employee has made a serious attempt to resolved the problem through internal channels
Which statement about wikis is true? a. the lack of editors on a wiki means that authors on the site can always be trusted to speak the truth b. wikis tend to represent a narrower spectrum of viewpoints than edited websites do c. the lack of editors on a wiki means that authors on the site may mix with fiction d. because a wiki's content is "crowd-sourced," wikis have better accountability than edited websites
c. the lack of editors on a wiki means that authors on the site may mix with fiction
What are readers likely to concluded if they notice that a report you have written contains several logical fallacies? a. the reasoning used in your report is supported by several effective examples b. the reasoning used in your report is logical and trustworthy c. the reasoning used in your report is illogical and untrustworthy d. the reasoning used in your report follows an effective pattern used in other good arguments
c. the reasoning used in your report is illogical and untrustworthy
In which of these stages is the outline view of a document most likely to be helpful for reviewing the document's coherence? a. the post-hoc stage b. the proofreading stage c. the revising stage d. the editing stage
c. the revising stage
Systems Software, Inc. is introducing a new piece of sophisticated graphics software. A recently hired writer has been assigned to write the Getting Started manual for the product. Being a novice, the writer first pages through similar manuals written by other graphics software companies to get ideas about how to write the manual. Which of the following statements is true? a. the writer has violated copyright law b. the writer has taken advantage of the fair-use concept c. the writer has done nothing ethically wrong d. the writer has ignored an express warranty
c. the writer has done nothing ethically wrong
Chapter 2 lists fours areas of law relevant to ethical issues in technical communication. One is copyright law. What are two others? a. martial law and liability law b. international law and criminal law c. trademark law and contract law d. international law and martial law
c. trademark law and contract law
Which of the following is NOT one of the four basic modes of communication? a. reading b. speaking c. typing d. writing
c. typing
Chapter 5 offers eight guidelines for writing for readers from other cultures. Which of the following is NOT one of those guidelines? a. limit your vocabulary b. use the active voice whenever possible c. use icons rather than text as much as possible d. avoid idioms and slang
c. use icons rather than text as much as possible
Which of the options below is NOT a question that will help you analyze your writing process? a. what writing tools will best meet my project's needs? b. what is my budget for the project? c. what are my readers' expectations? d. how much time do i have to create the document?
c. what are my readers' expectations?
Chapter 3 discusses three questions to ask about your audience during the planning stage of the writing process. One is "Why and how will the reader use your document?" What is another questions to consider during planning? a. how much time do you have to write the document? b. do you have enough money in the budget to pay for usability testing? c. what are your reader's attitudes and expectations? d. are your readers male or female?
c. what are your reader's attitudes and expectations?
When creating a technical document, you often have to make compromises. Which of these is an example of a compromise related to communication? a. you place paper copies of your document in the boxes carrying your products, and you post electronic copies online b. your boss tells you to create the document in English and Spanish, so you do c. you would prefer to create separate instruction sheets in English and Spanish, but you create one sheet giving instructions in both languages to save on printing costs d. your audience is not made up of technical experts, so you use common words in place of technical vocabulary
c. you would prefer to create separate instruction sheets in English and Spanish, but you create one sheet giving instructions in both languages to save on printing costs
You are writing a long, complex document in which you need to explain a series of events that led to a problem, evaluate several possible options for solving that problem, and present the most important factors to consider in making a decision. Which pattern of organization would be most effective? a. comparison and contrast b. cause and effect c. chronological d. a combination of several patterns
d. a combination of several patterns
Which of these statements about working with someone from another culture is true? a. people from other cultures are likely to find it easy to ask for help on a project b. people from other cultures have a knack for delivering criticism to teammates c. people from other cultures are likely to find it easy to participate actively in group projects d. a topic of discussion that is common in one culture might be considered highly personal in another culture
d. a topic of discussion that is common in one culture might be considered highly personal in another culture
You are in charge of creating a podcast of an interview with the CEO of your company. The audio file will be posted on the company's website. You decide to make a transcript available so that audience members who are hard of hearing will be able to read the interview. Which measure of excellence in technical communication does this decision reflect? a. clarity b. usability c. accuracy d. accessibility
d. accessibility
Which of the following can help you display your organizational pattern prominently? a. a detailed table of contents b. frequent section headings c. topic sentences to begin paragraphs d. all responses are correct
d. all responses are correct
Which source reflects the highest degree of authority on the subject of shale-oil deposits in North America? a. an article in an encyclopedia b. an article in a national newspaper c. an article in a journal on public policy d. an article in a journal on geological research
d. an article in a journal on geological research
Which statement best explains how the concept of company branding is related to technical communication? a. branding is concerned with making money, and employees are paid to help companies make money b. branding is largely concerning with color choices, so a document must contain the company's colors c. branding is concerning with slogans, and you might have to write a slogan for your department d. branding is concerned with the image that a company presents to the world, and that image includes its documents
d. branding is concerned with the image that a company presents to the world, and that image includes its documents
Which of the organizational patterns below depends on relationships that can be difficult to prove? a. spatial b. general to specific c. comparison and contrast d. cause and effect
d. cause and effect
Which pattern of organization would be most helpful for organizing the work-experience section of your resume? a. partition b. comparison and contrast c. spatial d. chronological
d. chronological
Of the options listed below, which is the most effective way to organize a document explaining which of three different trucks your company ought to buy for its fleet? a. spatial b. chronological c. classification d. comparison and contrast
d. comparison and contrast
Chapter 5 discusses certain variables that lead to differences among cultures. Which of these statements about cultural variables is true? a. an organization's cultural attitudes tend to be static over time b. cultural variables line up in clear, predictable patterns c. each variable represents a small number of attitudes d. different organizations within the same culture can vary greatly
d. different organizations within the same culture can vary greatly
Which of these is a quality shown by a successful workplace communicator? a. prioritizing your own needs b. sharing proprietary information openly c. keeping new information about your field to yourself d. displaying emotional intelligence
d. displaying emotional intelligence
Chapter 2 lists four ways you can help protect your client's or your employer's trademark. One is to use the trademark symbol. Which one of the following methods is also listed in the chapter? a. use the trademarked item in various grammatical forms, including as an adjective (Xerox® copiers), a noun (Xeroxes®), and a verb (Xerox® 500 copies) b. use the plural form (Xeroxes®) or the possessive form (Xerox's® quality) of the term whenever possible c. include a prominent warning about the civil and criminal penalties for infringing on the protections afforded by trademark law, similar to the FBI warning about copyright that appears at the beginning of rental movies d. distinguish trademarks from other material, perhaps by setting the trademark in a different typeface or by using boldface type for emphasis
d. distinguish trademarks from other material, perhaps by setting the trademark in a different typeface or by using boldface type for emphasis
Chapter 1 defines technical communication as a process encompassing which of the following? a. documentation and analysis b. diagramming and activities c. process and analysis d. documents and activities
d. documents and activities
One way to learn about the primary reader of your document is to interview people who know him or her. Which of these questions is NOT likely to help you learn useful information about your primary reader? a. does this person prefer to read hard-copy documents or electronic documents? b. does this person tend to review the sources listed in a bibliography after reading a report? c. does this person prefer to read detailed information or a summary that provides a big picture? d. does this person attend chapter meetings of professional associations?
d. does this person attend chapter meetings of professional associations?
Which of the following terms refers to the technique of writing without restrictions and without stopping? a. clustering b. brainstorming c. invisible writing d. freewriting
d. freewriting
You are writing a guide to help chemistry majors plan their class schedules. Which pattern of classification would be best for discussing the classes students must take? a. chemistry classes and other classes b. difficult classes, slightly difficult classes, and easy classes c. morning classes, afternoon classes, and evening classes d. general education classes, required chemistry classes, elective science classes, and general elective classes
d. general education classes, required chemistry classes, elective science classes, and general elective classes
Of the options below, which is the most effective way to explain the major changes and details of a new workplace policy for requesting vacation time? a. spatial b. classification c. cause and effect d. general to specific
d. general to specific
For a report on the nutritional value of fast food, a writer has decided to organize her information by assigning fast-food items to categories. Which of the following sets of categories is flawed? a. under a dollar $1.00-$2.00 $2.01-$4.00 over $4.00 b. main dishes side dishes drinks desserts c. breakfast items lunch items dinner items d. high-fat items high-cholesterol items high-calorie items
d. high-fat items high-cholesterol items high-calorie items
Chapter 1 states that effective technical communication is honest. The chapter then presents three reasons it is important to be honest when communicating. Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons listed in Chapter 1? a. you and your organization could face serious legal chargers if you are dishonest b. readers can get hurt if you are dishonest c. it's the right thing to do d. if readers bring your dishonesty to the attention of your supervisor, your career may suffer
d. if readers bring your dishonesty to the attention of your supervisor, your career may suffer
Which of the following options is NOT a question a writer should ask when editing a draft? a. are the paragraphs well developed? b. is the design effective? c. are all the sentences clear and correct? d. is the organization logical?
d. is the organization logical
In the following excerpt, a writer tries to persuade his supervisor to respond to a government request for proposals (REP) to build an unmanned surveillance plane for the military. Which aspect of the paragraph undercuts the effectiveness of the passage? I think we are making a serious mistake by not responding. If we don't respond to this proposal, we will lose our competitive edge. At a conference last month, for example, I spoke to a couple of people who said the market for unmanned surveillance aircraft will grow exponentially during the next 10 years. Can we talk about this more at next week's planning meeting? a. it makes a circular argument b. it argues that the claim is valid because the person making the claim is an authority c. it assumes what the writer is attempting to prove d. it draws conclusion on the basis of an inadequate sample and poses only two alternatives when in fact there might be more
d. it draws conclusion on the basis of an inadequate sample and poses only two alternatives when in fact there might be more
Chapter 6 advises researchers to look for information that is current. What is one other characteristic that the chapter says you should look for in the information you use? a. well-known author b. conciseness c. attractive design d. lack of bias
d. lack of bias
According to Chapter 4, one way to listen more effectively is to pay attention to the speaker. What are two other ways? a. record what the speaker is saying and ask follow-up questions b. frequently interrupt the speaker for clarification and focus on how to phrase your responses c. take notes while the speaker is speaking and concentrate on your emotional responses d. listen for main ideas and ask questions to clarify what the speaker said
d. listen for main ideas and ask questions to clarify what the speaker said
Which characteristic of an attractive professional persona does the writer of the following excerpt NOT exhibit? As you probably already know, we have a problem with our current documentation. Users cannot easily locate the serial numbers necessary to complete the online registration step. The solution below will help us address this problem and eliminate the customer-support calls we get. It will also solve a few other problems. Last week, others suggested different solutions. However, I know they will not work. The best course of action is to prominently display the serial numbers at the start of the chapter labeled "Registering Your Product." Our users expect to find the numbers in this chapter. a. appeal to pity b. moderation c. cooperativeness d. modesty
d. modesty
Of the options below, which is the most effective way to explain the operation of each major component of a piece of machinery? a. spatial b. comparison and contrast c. chronological d. partition
d. partition
Which of the following is NOT one of the elements of an argument? a. evidence b. claim c. reasoning d. persona
d. persona
Which of these is NOT a variable "beneath the surface" of daily life in a culture? a. need for details to be spelled out b. distance between business and private life c. distance between ranks d. prevalence of technology
d. prevalence of technology
Your supervisor has asked you to write a brief description of an abandoned silver mine that is slated for hazardous-waste cleanup. Of the organization patterns discussed in Chapter 7, which would be most logical and effective for describing the mine? a. comparison and contrast b. general to specific c. classification or partition d. spatial
d. spatial
Which of these is NOT one of the forms discussed in Chapter 4 as a tool to help ensure that a team's efforts will be successful? a. team-member evaluation form b. word-schedule form c. self-evaluation form d. task-deadline form
d. task-deadline form
According to Chapter 1, what is the biggest difference between technical communication and the kinds of writing you do in other college courses? a. technical communication makes greater use of technical vocabulary b. technical communication follows different style conventions c. technical communication makes greater use of images and graphics d. technical communication has a somewhat different focus on purpose and audience
d. technical communication has a somewhat different focus on purpose and audience
Chapter 2 lists four factors governing the fair-use exemption, which allows you to use copyrighted material without permission under certain conditions. One factor is the nature and purpose of the copyrighted work. What is another factor? a. whether the copyrighted work was published on the Internet, in which case it can be considered to be in the public domain b. whether you intended to cause the copyright holder any harm--financial or otherwise--by using the copyrighted material c. the degree of difficulty you might encounter if you did seek permission to use the copyrighted work d. the effect of the use on the potential market for the copyrighted work
d. the effect of the use on the potential market for the copyrighted work
The engineering firm you work for is submitting a proposal to create an amphitheater at a state park. Proposals must be submitted in three-ring binders. You are in charge of assembling the binders. You decide to put section divider tabs and an index into each proposal binder. Which measure of excellence in technical communication does this decision reflect? a. honesty b. clarity c. comprehensiveness d. usability
d. usability
In one state, West County and East County share a border. The state capital is in East County. Many residents of West County (almost half of all adults in the county) commute to East County for work. East County has high levels of air pollution, and residents there must get their car exhaust systems tested every two years. Although West County has less air pollution than East, the pollution levels in West are rising. The state Department of Environmental Regulation orders that residents of West County must now get their car exhaust systems tested every two years as well. What moral standard best explains this decision by the Department of Environmental Regulation? a. care b. rights c. clarity d. utility
d. utility
Which of the options below is NOT a question that will help you analyze your setting? a. am i writing about a socially or politically charged topic? b. in what type of environment will the audience use the document? c. is this a high-stakes project or a low-stakes project? d. what do i want the audience to know, believe, or do after reading my document?
d. what do i want the audience to know, believe, or do after reading my document?
In what situation do graphics benefit your reader? a. when graphics subvert the text b. when graphics supplant the text c. when graphics contrast with the text d. when graphics complement the text
d. when graphics complement the text
Which organizational pattern often occurs in a comparison-and-contrast discussion? a. problem-methods-solution b. meter-by-meter c. bit-by-bit d. whole-by-whole
d. whole-by-whole
Which of the following is NOT a guideline for using social media ethically and legally, according to Chapter 2? a. avoid false endorsements b. keep your private social-media accounts separate from those at work c. avoid revealing unauthorized news about your own company d. work efficiently by repurposing pieces of content you wrote for other workplace documents
d. work efficiently by repurposing pieces of content you wrote for other workplace documents
Which of these statements is true? a. writers who appeal to an audience's sense of reason never use graphics b. writers who appeal to an audience's emotions usually do so dramatically c. writer who appeal to an audience's emotions usually do not appeal to their sense of reason d. writers who appeal to an audience's emotions usually appeal to their sense of reason, too
d. writers who appeal to an audience's emotions usually appeal to their sense of reason, too
You work for a pharmaceuticals company. During your lunch breaks, you have become acquainted with one of the graphic artists at your company. He has just finished designing a logo for a new product, and the logo is now on your company's website. He mentions that he created the new design by downloading a logo that he found on an automaker's website and changing it a little. Which of the following statements is true? a. your company is protected by the work-made-for-hire concept b. your company is protected because there is no trademark or registered trademark symbol after the logo on the automaker's website c. your company is protected by the fair-use concept because your company and the other company are in different industries d. your company has probably violated the automaker's trademark
d. your company has probably violated the automaker's trademark
(T/F) "How will China's rapid industrial development affect the global energy market over the next decade?" is more likely to be a workplace research question than an academic research question.
false
(T/F) Accessibility is a measure of how easily a document can be downloaded.
false
(T/F) According to Chapter 4, one advantage of collaboration is that it can yield a more coherent document.
false
(T/F) According to Chapter 4, one of the disadvantages of collaboration is that it likely leads to charges of sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, or both.
false
(T/F) According to Chapter 5, if you think your document will have a number of readers, you should consider writing a variety of documents addressed to different kinds of readers.
false
(T/F) According to Chapter 7, long, complex arguments can most often by organized according to one pattern.
false
(T/F) According to the principle of the moral minimum, it is permissible for companies to passively reinforce patterns of discrimination in product information if the audience to which the product is being sold practices that discrimination.
false
(T/F) All of the participants in a video conference must be in dedicated conference rooms with sophisticated cameras and microphones.
false
(T/F) Although many aspects of private life and community life differ from culture to culture, in most developed countries business is conducted in more or less the same way.
false
(T/F) Chapter 7 states that one disadvantage of the problem-methods-solution organizational patter is that you cannot alter the sequence of those three elements.
false
(T/F) Classification is an organizational pattern in which a unit is divided into its components.
false
(T/F) Companies hiring technical professionals such as engineers, scientists, and programmers focus primarily on the technical abilities of the candidates they consider for employment.
false
(T/F) Employees rarely use social media and personal electronics to complete work tasks.
false
(T/F) Even though cultures differ, technical documents tend to be written in a similar way no matter where you go.
false
(T/F) Fair-use guidelines mean that non-profit companies can use whatever content they want without requesting permission.
false
(T/F) If you don't know whether to write too, two, or to, you should trust the spell-checker to help you decide.
false
(T/F) In considering your audience's education, you should focus primarily on the types of academic degrees readers have earned.
false
(T/F) In describing your company's product, you should not compare it with a competitor's product because the competitor will sue your company for misrepresentation.
false
(T/F) Interviews are great for learning from your audience but not for learning about your audience.
false
(T/F) It is always unethical to compare your company's product with a similar product offered by another company when trying to argue that your own company's product is superior.
false
(T/F) It is often helpful to use more than one basis of classification or partition simultaneously when using that pattern to write a passage.
false
(T/F) Most technical documents are produced by professional technical communicators working alone.
false
(T/F) One disadvantage of using the Styles feature of a word processor is that you cannot create new styles.
false
(T/F) Only professionals with management responsibilities have ethical responsibilities to the environment.
false
(T/F) Primary research is the set of sources that you consult while you are in the document-planning stage.
false
(T/F) Proofreading should precede the editing process.
false
(T/F) Secondary research is the process of creating technical information yourself, as opposed to collecting information that other people have discovered or created.
false
(T/F) Styles are preformatted designs for different kinds of documents, such as business letters, memos, newsletters, and reports.
false
(T/F) Technical communication primarily involves those whose main job is to produce documentation such as reports and manuals.
false
(T/F) Templates are useful because they organize a document for you.
false
(T/F) The following passage would be appropriate for a document aimed at a multicultural audience: Two companies found themselves in the financial equivalent of sudden-death overtime. The first to raise the necessary capital would be the one to survive.
false
(T/F) The outline view is word-processing feature that suggests how you ought to outline common types of documents such as letters and memos.
false
(T/F) Under the concept of work made for hire, anything written on the job by an employee being paid by the organization is the property of the organization--provided that the employee agrees after the document is written to surrender his or her copyright.
false
(T/F) When critiquing the work of a team member, you should save your biggest compliment for the last comment in order to end on a positive note.
false
(T/F) When warning users about the dangers of products, writers should avoid using mandatory language such as must and shall.
false
(T/F) When you are communicating technical information on the job, your audience tends to be the same every time.
false
(T/F) You should choose the method of delivering your document after the document is complete.
false
(T/F) You should select research methods before determining what research questions to pursue.
false
(T/F) A common problem in field research is that your presence as an observer might affect the behavior you are studying.
true
(T/F) A periodical index contains lists of citation information for journal and magazine articles.
true
(T/F) According to Chapter 4, one advantage of collaboration is that it helps acclimate new employees to an organization.
true
(T/F) According to Chapter 4, some key ethical pitfalls to avoid include not wasting company time using social media for nonbusiness purposes.
true
(T/F) According to Chapter 5, a good way to learn about your readers' preferences is to read documents they have written.
true
(T/F) According to Chapter 6, one disadvantage of a questionnaire is that you cannot be sure the respondents are representative of the population you want to study.
true
(T/F) An effective technical document must be both concise and comprehensive.
true
(T/F) Chapter 1 identifies correctness as a characteristic of good technical communication. In this context, correctness refers to the proper use of grammar and punctuation to accurately convey the intended meaning.
true
(T/F) Chapter 7 explains that one challenge in using the cause-and-effect organizational pattern is that it is very difficult to prove a casual relationship between two factors.
true
(T/F) Contract law affects technical communication because technical documents sometimes contain warranty statements.
true
(T/F) Editing your documents is a way to show respect to your audience.
true
(T/F) Fair use is best described as a set of general guidelines on ways to use small parts of someone else's copyrighted material for purposes such as commentary, criticism, and research.
true
(T/F) Generosity and honesty are characteristics of effective technical communicators.
true
(T/F) Government publications are cataloged and shelved separately from other kinds of materials and are indexed on various government websites.
true
(T/F) In some cultures, it would be considered rude to create a document that contains information the audience already knows.
true
(T/F) It is generally acceptable to use company boilerplate without attribution.
true
(T/F) Professionals sometimes use crowdsourcing platforms, such as GitHub, to conduct, gather, or collaborate on information.
true
(T/F) Social-media activities can provide an organization with significant information about members of their target audience.
true
(T/F) Social-media posts such as tweets can be examples of technical documents.
true
(T/F) Tags are descriptive keywords that people use to categorize and label content they find on the Internet.
true
(T/F) Technical information involves knowing where to find trustworthy information.
true
(T/F) The first step in comparing and contrasting two or more items is to determine the criteria: the standards or needs you will use in studying the items.
true
(T/F) The general-to-specific pattern is effective for helping readers understand a subject before you give them the details.
true
(T/F) The point of learning about your audience is to use that information to tailor a document to fit the audience's needs.
true
(T/F) To be effective, a code of conduct must stipulate penalties.
true
(T/F) Using signposts such as above, below, or in the center can help readers follow passages written according to the spatial pattern of organization.
true
(T/F) When exporting goods, U.S. companies can face ethical challenges that they do not face when selling goods in the United States.
true
(T/F) When obtaining information on products and services from websites, discussion forums, and blogs, it is important NOT to assume that vendors' claims are accurate.
true
(T/F) You may find that your network of associates, both inside and outside your organization, can help you through sticking points in many of the phases of a writing process.
true
(T/F) Your company can be held liable if you make defamatory statements about people or organizations.
true
