Technical Writing
Put the following stages of technical writing process in order (as listed in Chapter 1)
1 = Planning 2 = Drafting 3 = Revising 4 = Editing 5 = Proofreading
Which one of the following is a feedback statement that should NOT be numbered as a step?
3. The box will now turn green
According to Model 9, "recent" is a challenging concept to pin down-- and the importance of recency varies in different academic disciplines. But for the research you are doing for the "Research Analysis & Annotated Bibliography" and "Decision-Making Report" assignments, aim for peer-reviewed journal articles published within the last _______ years.
5 to 7
Which of the following steps is most clearly and effectively phrased?
5. Spray the frame with the primer
According to Chapter 8, an effective pie chart should have no more than ________ slices.
7
Pull quote
A brief quotation (usually just a sentence or two) that is pulled from the text, displayed in a larger type size and usually in a different typeface, and sometimes enclosed in a box.
Which of the following are among the ten principles for ethnical communication identified in Chapter 2 of your textbook?
Abide by copyright laws Don't mislead your readers Cite your sources and your collaborators. Abide by your organization's policy on social media
Which of the following are types of font matter discussed in Chapter 13?
Abstract Title Page Table of Contents Executive summary
How would we fix the apostrophe usage in the sentence below? Its important that the kitchen learns how to find its way home.
Add an apostrophe between the "t" and "s" in "its" at the beginning of the sentence. (The "its" being referred to here it: "Its important...")
Which of the following is NOT among the five principles for writing concise technical documents (listed in Chapter 6)?
Avoid addressing the reader directly.
Which of the following are among the seven suggestions for communicating diplomatically (identified in Chapter 3 of your text)?
Avoid personal remarks and insults Listen carefully, without interrupting Don't overstate your position Give everyone a chance to speak Don't get emotionally attached to your own ideas
Which of the following is a guideline for designing instructional pages?
Build in space for wide margins and effective line spacing, use large type, and chunk the information effectively in order to create an open, airy design.
In your Results section, you'll use the ____ you've identified in the pervious section to evaluate each of the options
Criteria
The CRAAP Test helps you effectively evaluate your sources. What does each letter of the acronym "CRAAP" stand for?
Currency; Relevance; Authority; Accuracy; Purpose
which of the following are among the guidelines provided in Chapter 14 that will help you test instructions for usability?
Decide what you need to text. Decide what you want the test to accomplish. Decide what to do with the test results .
According to Chapter 13, where should an executive summary be placed within a formal report
Directly after the table of contents
According to Chapter 13, where should an abstract be placed within a formal report?
Directly before the table of contents
A table of contents should list all of the main section headings, but should not include sub-headings.
False
According to Chapter 1, the planning stage of a technical document involves using templates and styles
False
An abstract is the same as an executive summary; the terms can be used interchangeably
False
Never recommend multiple options in a report; you should reach just one specific conclusion and recommend one course of action
False
The most effective way to create a screen shot is to take a picture of your computer screen.
False
When conducting research, it is never appropriate to consult online discussion boards and blogs
False
According to Chapter 13, _____ is a measure of the practicality of a course of action
Feasibility
Marie has a written set of instructions for how to give a kitten a flea bath. Of the following choices, which one would be the most effective title for her instruction set?
Giving a Kitten a Flea Bath
Which one of the following is NOT one of the eight major categories of primary research (as identified in Chapter 5)?
Governmental documents
Which of the following are among the guidelines for integrating graphics and text (listed in Chapter 8)?
Introduce the graphic in the text Make the graph clearly visible Place the graphic in an appropriate location Explain the graphic in the text Make the graphic accessible
Marginal gloss
Is a brief comment on the main discussion.
According to Appendix Part A of your textbook, documentation serves which of the following functions?
It helps your reader find your source in case they want to read more about a particular subject. It helps you acknowledge your debt to your sources. It helps you establish credibility. All of these.
Which of the following is NOT one of the six characteristics of a technical document as identified in Chapter 1 of your textbook?
It showcases the writer's expertise
According to the content in Module 6, it's best to save photos as:
JPG files PNG files
How would we fix the apostrophe usage in the sentence below? She said the watch Jack found was hers but she couldnt identify the manufactures name on it.
Just add an apostrophe between the "n" and " in the word "couldnt". Just add an apostrophe between the "r" and "s" in the word "manufactures" Both answer choices "A" and "C" are correct.
How would we fix the apostrophe usage in the following sentence: Whos the partys candidate for vice president this year?
Just add the an apostrophe between the "o" and "s" in the word "Whos" Just add an apostrophe between the "y" and "s" in the word "partys" Both answer choices "A" and "B" are correct
According to your textbook __________ graphs are used almost exclusively to show change in quality over time.
Line
Out of the following social media sites, which one is typically the most useful for seeking professional employment?
As described in Chapter 13, common types of back matter include which of the following?
List of symbols Appendixes (or appendices) Glossary References
To identify the the stakeholders in your communication, you should do which of the following?
List people who are affected indirectly Think of the people who may be remotely affected. These people may include individuals not yet born List the people or groups who will be directly affected by what you say and how you say it.
Which of the following are among the techniques for dividing long paragraphs given in Chapter 6?
Make the topic sentence a separate paragraph and break up the supporting information. Break the discussion in a logical place. Use a list.
Which of the following is NOT among the six guidelines (in your textbook) for presenting your professional brand?
Participate on Instagram
According to Module 9, which of the following is true of a peer-reviewed source?
Peer-reviewed journals often, but not always, have words such as "Journal of" in their title A peer-reviewed journal is a periodical containing articles that are written by other scholars for accuracy and objectivity-- in other words, reviewed by "peer" experts in that field.
What are the three main levels of readers for technical communication described in Module 1?
Primary, secondary, and tertiary
If you search for library materials from the location pictured here, what would you find?
Print books and online books (eBooks), but no journal articles
According to Chapter 13, a feasibility report answers three kinds of questions:
Questions of economic wisdom Questions of possibility Questions of perception
Which of the following are among the guidelines identified in Chapter 5 for gathering information to use in your document?
Read your data carefully Triangulate your research methods, when you need to answer important questions, don't settle for only one or two sources Be persistent
Justification
Refers to the alignment of words along the left and right margins
Line spacing
Refers to the amount of white space between lines or between a line of text and a graphic.
Which of the following directions is paraphrased in the imperative mood?
Roll the ball
Ben is writing a set of instructions for using a specific software program at his office and wants to include images of what appears on his computer screen. He would most likely create:
Screen shots
White space
Sometimes referred to as "negative space," is the area of the paper with o writing or graphics; the space between two columns of text, the space between text and graphics, and the margins
As explained in Module 10, the easy and most consistent way to format section headings and subheadings in Microsoft Word is to use which one of the following?
Styles
According to Module 1, audience is an important consideration in all kinds of writing, which is heavily reader-centered.
That's a true statement
Which sentence is utilizing all commas and/or semi-colons present correctly?
The artist preferred to paint in oils; he did not like watercolor.
Proximity
The principle that is simple: if two itmes appear close to each other, the reader will interpret them as related to each other. If they are far apart, the reader will interpret them as unrelated
Contrast
The principle that says that the human eye is drawn to--and the brain interprets--difference in appearance between two items
Alignment
The principle that says that you should consciously line of text and graphics along a real or imaginary vertical axis so that the reader can understand the relationships among elements
Repetition
The principle that says that you should format the same kind of information in the same way so that readers can recognize consistent patterns.
which of the following is a run-on sentence?
The red car is in the parking lot I don't know where the van and the motorcycle are.
Which of the following uses a comma correctly?
They like chocolate, but they like vanilla better
Margins serve which of the following four main purposes?
They provide space for binding and allow readers to hold the pages without covering up the text They reduce the amount of information on the page, making the document easier to read and use They provide space for marginal glosses They provide a neat frame around the type
What are the four purposes of technical writing identified in Module 1?
To persuade To build trust To inform To instruct
According Module 4, a typical cover letter will be about a full page, but never over a page. Three paragraphs is an absolute minimum, but most effective cover letters will consist of four to five paragraphs.
True
According to Chapter 2, part of using social media ethically and legally is keeping your private social media account separate from your company-sponsored accounts.
True
According to Chapter 3, talking about your colleague's document instead of your colleague themself when critiquing their writing will increase the chances that your colleague will consider your ideas positively.
True
When writing instructions, do not omit articles (a, an, the) to save space
True
According to Chapter 5, to ask effective questions (on a questionnaire), follow these two suggestions:
Use unbiased language Be specific
Note
Used for a tip or suggestion to help readers carry out a procedure successfully.
Danger
Used to alert readers about an immediate and serious hazard that will likely be fatal.
Caution
Used to alert readers about the potential for anything from moderate injury to serious equipment damage or destruction.
Warning
Used to alert readers about the potential for serious injury or death or serious damage to equipment
Blank space on a page used intentionally to facilitate easy reading and comprehension is known as
White space
Which of the following are among the obligations you have your employer identified in Chapter 2 of your textbook?
You should have the training and experience to do your job adequately You should help your co-workers and stakeholders outside your organization by sharing your knowledge and expertise You should not steal from our employer
Which of the following are three reasons why questionnaires rarely yield completely satisfactory results, as described in Chapter 5?
You won't obtain as many responses as you want Some of the question will misfire You cannot be sure the respondents are representative
According to Chapter 14 in your textbook, it is important to revise, edit, and proofread your instructions because:
Your reader rely on your instructions to carry out a task. You must ensure that your instructions are honest , clear, accurate, comprehensive, accessible, concise, professional in appearance, and correct. Your readers rely on you to help them complete the task safely. All of these.
Which one of the following is an example of something that would be appropriately placed in the Appendix?
a copy of a questionnaire or survey
My mood can ________ my thinking, too.
affect
Wars ________ everybody, and their destructive _______ last for generations.
affect, effects
According to the material in Module 8, intellectual property is:
an idea or invention that comes from somesone's mind
According to the material in Module 8, copyright is:
an intellectual property protection that grates a creator control over their creation.
Icons
are pictures that symbolize actions or ideas.
Which of the following is the definition of patchwriting?
copying from a source text and then deleting some words, altering grammatical structures, or plugging in one-for-one synonym substitutes.
According to Chapter 8, schematics and blueprints are types of:
diagrams
The plan will surely ________ significant improvements in our productivity.
effect
Chunking
emphasizes small units of realted information
What are the three man types of readers in technical communication discussed in module 1?
high tech, low tech, and lay
Organizational chart
illustrate logical relationships
Bar graph
illustrate numerical information
Flowchart
illustrate process descriptions
Photograph
illustrate visual and spatial characteristics
According to the material in Module 8, which of the following are considered common knowledge?
information that most people know, such as water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit
Rule
is a design term for a straight line
Typeface
is a set of letters, numbers, punctuation marks, all bearing a characteristic design
Queuing
refers to creating visual distinctions to indicate level of importance
According to the guidelines for using social media ethically and legally in Chapter 2, self-plagiarism is:
the act of publishing something you have already published.
As mentioned in Module 11 and in Chapter 15, a suggested guideline is to show a new slide approximately every ______ of a presentation.
30 seconds
Sue, the manager of a retail store, is writing a letter to an upset customer in order to offer a full refund for a problematic purchase. This type of letter is known specifically as:
An adjustment letter
Which of the following sentences is clearer and more reader-friendly?
An updated contract is enclosed
According to Chapter 10, in a ________ resume, you use time as the organizing pattern for each section, including education and experience, and discuss your responsibilities for each job you have held.
Chronological
Sam never received a jacket he ordered online, and writes a letter to the shop to request an immediate refund. This is known specifically as a ________
Claim
You are applying for a job with a large corporation, but the job advertisement doesn't give the same name of the hiring manager/decision-maker, and after searching the company's website, you still cannot find the name. Of the following choices, which would be the most effective salutation to use in your cover letter?
Dear Hiring Manager:
According to Chapter 5 in your textbook, which of the following is in the definition of primary research?
Discovering or creating technical information yourself
A planned and rehearsed presentation that may be delivered with the aid of notes or an outline, but it is not memorized or read from a script
Extemporaneous
Memos must always be solved
False
Sharon earned an associate's degree (AA) in General Studies at Tyler Junior College, worked for a few years, then enrolled last year at SFA to work towards a bachelor's degree. She's writing a resume and deciding what to list in her Education section. Because Sharon hasn't year earned a degree at SFA, she should leave SFA off her resume and ONLY list TJC.
False
Your resume should always include a line at the bottom stating "References available upon request"
False
Your resume should include very paid job you've held
False
Which of the following are among the principles provided in Module 9 for evaluating sources?
Favor governmental and educational sources over commercial ones
Which one of the following is NOT a good choice if you want to illustrate numerical information?
Flowchart
A presentation delivered without advance notice or preparation
Impromptu
According to Chapter 15. which of the following are three techniques for using memorable language to make a lasting impression on your audience?
Involve the audience Refer to people, not to abstractions Use interesting facts, figures, and quotations
As discussed in Chapter 15, the five characteristics of an effective presentation slide include:
It is easy to see. It is correct It presents a clear, well-supported claim It is easy to read It is simple
_____ more commonly written to people outside the organization
Letter
Sam has attended more than one college/university, First, he attended Angelina College for 2 years, then he transferred to Stephen F. Austin State University last year. How should Sam list these in chronological resume?
List SFA first, the Angelina
Which of the following suggestions does Chapter 15 offer for concluding a presentation?
Look for the future Invite questions politely Announce that you are concluding Summarize the main points
_____ are usually written to people inside your organization
Memo
A presentation that is delivered entirely from memory, without a script or notes
Memorized
Andre is a digital communications specialist for a start-up company, and he has noticed recent Twitter threads and Instagram posts from customers complaining about the cost of the company's products. He decided to respond to these concerns with some brief information about the unique features of the products, along with a 40% limited time coupon code. Which type of correspondence (discussed in Chapter 9) would be most appropriate for Andre to use?
Microblog post
Which one of the following is NOT among the suggestions given in Chapter 15 for introducing a presentation?
Open with an eye-catching graphic
To add space between steps in a set of instructions, don't adjust the line spacing: instead, adjust the ______ spacing
Paragraph
Which of the following does Chapter 15 suggest for cases when your audience includes people with varying physical abilities:
Provide handouts in accessible format ahead of time Provide a recording of the presentation Hire a sign-language specialist who can translate your presentation Make a transcript of your talk available
As explained in Module 10, the title page of your decision-making report should include the following information at minimum:
Report title and subtitle, date prepared, and your name
Which of the following are among the guidelines listed in your textbook for building the foundation of your professional brand?
Research what others have done participate actively online Communicate professionally Tell the truth
Which one the following video creation tools does Module 11 specifically suggest as a good choice for recording your video presentation assignment?
Screencast-O-Matic
A presentation that is read directly from a script
Scripted
According to Module 2, what is the single most important of any memo or email, and why?
The subject line, because it is the only part that you can be sure your recipient will read.
According to Module 2, unlike a memo or an email, a letter will always need which one of the following?
The writer's signature
Many memos end with one or more recommendation (or action items).
True
Which of the following is a sentence fragment?
Within each group, a wide range of features to choose from. Although that is a value judgement and in circumstances not true premise. Both answer choices "B" and "D" are sentence fragments
An advanced organizer is:
a statement that tells the listener what you are about to say
In a letter, the inside address provides:
the name and address of the recipient
