Effective technical documents can be created without first performing an audience
analysis.
Visuals used with definitions do not need to be labeled.
Well-designed documents address a diversity of readers.
Distorting images may help you create a more persuasive document, but doing so is
unethical.
A document’s design affects its usability.
Appeal to both logic and emotion in a sales letter.
Introductions for instructions should be lengthy and very detailed.
Whenever possible, you should preface your assertions with qualifiers.
Readers of Webpages expect long blocks of information.
A line graph can display more data points than a bar graph.
Customers are the primary audience for specifications.
Most audiences are passive recipients of information.
To avoid cluttering your instructions, use as few transitional phrases as possible.
Accessible design is important for both instructions and procedures.
Visuals in instructions should repeat, restate, or reinforce the prose.
For depicting changes over time, the appropriate figure is typically a
(a) table.
(b) pie chart.
(c) photograph.
(d) block diagram.
(e) bar graph.
Planning proposals
(a) offer solutions to problems or suggestions for improvement.
(b) present a plan to conduct a research project.
(c) detail services or products.
(d) a, b, and c.
(e) a and b.
Which statement below is least accurate?
(a) Because the company owns all the documents produced, employees cannot possibly
plagiarize each other’s work.
(b) Charts and other visuals can be distorted to create a more positive outcome.
(c) Downplaying information is equally as unethical as fabricating information.
(d) The pressure to produce work quickly can lead to misuse of texts or data.
(e) All of these answers are correct.
Executive summaries are
(a) aimed at technical audiences.
(b) not persuasive.
(c) similar to informative abstracts in some regards.
(d) objective and do not suggest actions to take.
(e) b and d.
Unjustified text
(a) has uneven spacing between words.
(b) is common for formal materials.
(c) is appropriate for letters and memos.
(d) a and b.
(e) a and c.
Effective summaries
(a) use the same wording as the original.
(b) let readers know what to expect in the full document.
(c) follow the same logical sequence as the original.
(d) a and c.
(e) a, b, and c.
In which of the following scenarios would email be an appropriate way to
communicate?
(a) resigning from your job
(b) sending a colleague a project update
(c) saying thank you after a job interview
(d) forwarding legal documents
(e) All of these answers are correct.
When adding headings, be sure to
(a) use no more than two levels of headings.
(b) make each higher-level heading yield at least three lower-level headings.
(c) avoid using all capital letters.
(d) a and b.
(e) None of these answers are correct.
When conducting informational interviews, you should
(a) put words in the respondent’s mouth.
(b) avoid providing questions in advance to create a more spontaneous and
authentic reaction.
(c) use open-ended questions instead of closed-ended questions.
(d) always record them.
(e) get the most sensitive questions out of the way from the start.
When proofreading a document,
(a) be alert for the problem areas in your own writing.
(b) always rely on autocorrect.
(c) read through it just one time.
(d) never use hard copy.
(e) a and d.
Which statement below is least accurate?
(a) A cause-and-effect sequence must always start with an action and progress to the
result.
(b) A chronological sequence can be used to explain how something should be done.
(c) A problem-solution sequence is useful in long reports.
(d) A spatial sequence can be used to explain how parts of something fit together.
(e) All of these answers are correct.
Before preparing a workplace email, consider
(a) which salutation to use.
(b) whether a more personal form of communication is needed.
(c) whether files should be attached or sent in hard copy.
(d) a, b, and c.
(e) b and c.
When preparing a technical document,
(a) provide possible alternatives if needed.
(b) exaggerate information.
(c) respect rights to privacy.
(d) a and c.
(e) a, b, and c.
Which of the following statements is most accurate?
(a) Instructions and procedures should be offered only in print format.
(b) PDF is the preferred format for all procedures.
(c) Brochures are appropriate for some instructions.
(d) CDs are appropriate formats for all types of instructions.
(e) User manuals are inappropriate for instructions.
Which of the following is the major implied question posed by all employers?
(a) Why do you want to work here?
(b) What do you have to offer this company or organization?
(c) Where would you like to be in ten years?
(d) What are your long-term goals?
(e) What salary would you accept?
Any visual in a set of instructions should be
(a) placed in an appendix so as not to interrupt the steps.
(b) placed in the introduction to increase interest.
(c) incorporated within the discussion of the related step, for immediate reference.
(d) a and b.
(e) a and c.
In choosing the appropriate tone,
(a) show confidence and directness by using the active voice.
(b) always avoid ‘you’ and ‘yours.’
(c) be consistent.
(d) avoid overly informal language.
(e) a and c.
When writing recommendation reports,
(a) begin with a long and detailed subject line.
(b) discuss the background in detail but keep the recommendation as brief as possible.
(c) use an obsequious tone.
(d) end with a list of benefits for taking action.
(e) make headings broad and general.
Sound strategies for definitions include
(a) using circular definitions.
(b) avoiding visuals.
(c) narrowing the class precisely.
(d) making distinguishing features broad.
(e) a and b.
When posting to a social network that might be viewed by potential employers,
(a) include as much personal information as possible.
(b) write in a breezy and informal style.
(c) use discretion.
(d) exaggerate and embellish your qualifications.
(e) All of these answers are correct.
Informative abstracts
(a) identify the issue that prompted the document.
(b) describe research methods used.
(c) offer the main findings.
(d) avoid revealing conclusions.
(e) a, b, and c.
The three parts of a sentence definition
are_______,__________,__________and__________.
To provide additional information for a table, add a ___________ or a ___________at
the bottom of the table.
A formal report may address two or more categories of
approaches’”comparative,causal,andfeasibility.
The three types of organizational patterns (or sequences) for descriptions
are________,___________,_________and_________.
Questionnaires and interview questions are examples of items that may be placed in the
formal report’s .
Text messages are more formal than email.
Your proposal should address any objections to your plan that the audience might have.
Applications sent to an employer that has advertised a position are
called__________applications.
To outline a work schedule, team member responsibilities, and other components of a
project, fill out a .