Question 1

What is "invisible writing" and how is it helpful to the writing process?

Accepted Answer

Invisible writing is the practice of darkening your computer screen or turning off your monitor so that you have only a hard copy of your outline to look at as you write. This strategy can make you less tempted to revise what you have just written.

Question 2

Chapter 3 lists four techniques for learning from others while revising documents. One technique is surveying, interviewing, or observing readers as they use the existing document. What is one other technique?

Accepted Answer

The other three techniques are interviewing subject-matter experts about a draft of the document, conducting focus groups to learn users' or prospective users' opinions about an existing or proposed document, and uploading the document to an online writing space and authorizing people to revise it.

Question 3

using templates can lead to three problems. One is that templates may bore readers. What are the other two?

Accepted Answer

The other two potential problems associated with templates are that they do not always reflect the best design principles and that they cannot help you answer important questions about your document.

Question 4

What are the two major ways to revise a document?

Accepted Answer

Studying the draft b

Question 5

Even though cultures differ, technical documents tend to be written in a similar way no matter where you go.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

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?

Accepted Answer

A)  grammar checker 
B)  branching diagram 
C)  report template 
D)  thesaurus 
A)  grammar checker 
B)  branching diagram 
C)  report template 
D)  thesaurus

Question 7

Which of the options below is NOT one that Chapter 3 lists as a reason a writer should think during the planning stage about which is the best writing tool available?

Accepted Answer

A)  because there has been a rapid increase in the number of composition tools available to writers 
B)  because certain composition tools are designed for those working in particular locations and devices 
C)  because certain composition tools contain advanced editing technologies that cut down on the need to proofread 
D)  because certain composition tools are designed for those writing collaboratively 
A)  because there has been a rapid increase in the number of composition tools available to writers 
B)  because certain composition tools are designed for those working in particular locations and devices 
C)  because certain composition tools contain advanced editing technologies that cut down on the need to proofread 
D)  because certain composition tools are designed for those writing collaboratively

Question 8

Which of the following does Chapter 3 suggest as a method for effective proofreading?

Accepted Answer

A)  reading the revised portions of your document, which you print in a different color 
B)  reading backwards 
C)  reading aloud 
D)  reading in a quiet space 
A)  reading the revised portions of your document, which you print in a different color 
B)  reading backwards 
C)  reading aloud 
D)  reading in a quiet space

Question 9

Chapter 3 lists eight steps that are often involved in planning a document. One is generating ideas about your subject. What are two other steps listed in Chapter 3?

Accepted Answer

The other seven steps are analyzing your

Question 10

Identify one of the strategies listed in Chapter 3 for acknowledging reviewers who contributed significant feedback on your document.

Accepted Answer

Strategies for acknowledging reviewers i

Question 11

One disadvantage of using the Styles feature of a word processor is that you cannot create new styles.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Templates are useful because they organize a document for you.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

You should choose the method of delivering your document after the document is complete.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Styles are preformatted designs for different kinds of documents, such as business letters, memos, newsletters, and reports.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Which of these is not an effective technique for generating ideas about your subject?

Accepted Answer

A)  creating a cluster diagram 
B)  creating a branching diagram 
C)  freewriting 
D)  creating an index 
A)  creating a cluster diagram 
B)  creating a branching diagram 
C)  freewriting 
D)  creating an index

Question 16

Why is it important to plan your document before you start drafting it?

Accepted Answer

A)  Planning can make the writing process more efficient. 
B)  Planning can make your final document more effective at fulfilling its purpose. 
C)  Planning can help you create a realistic schedule. 
D)  All responses are correct. 
A)  Planning can make the writing process more efficient. 
B)  Planning can make your final document more effective at fulfilling its purpose. 
C)  Planning can help you create a realistic schedule. 
D)  All responses are correct.

Question 17

In which of these stages is the outline view of a document most likely to be helpful?

Accepted Answer

A)  the proofreading stage 
B)  the editing stage 
C)  the revising stage 
D)  the post-hoc stage 
A)  the proofreading stage 
B)  the editing stage 
C)  the revising stage 
D)  the post-hoc stage

Question 18

today's composition tools cannot help you do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  convert text into infographics 
B)  cite and keep track of numerous research sources 
C)  translate text 
D)  convert handwriting into text 
A)  convert text into infographics 
B)  cite and keep track of numerous research sources 
C)  translate text 
D)  convert handwriting into text

Question 19

how much time can someone expect to spend planning a writing project?

Accepted Answer

A)  more than one-third of the total time spent on the writing project 
B)  one hour for every ten pages 
C)  about one-tenth of the total time spent on the writing project 
D)  as little as possible 
A)  more than one-third of the total time spent on the writing project 
B)  one hour for every ten pages 
C)  about one-tenth of the total time spent on the writing project 
D)  as little as possible

Question 20

When drafting a document, you come to an item that you don't understand or that requires more research. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

You should

Exam 3: Writing Technical Documents

What is "invisible writing" and how is it helpful to the writing process?

Chapter 3 lists four techniques for learning from others while revising documents. One technique is surveying, interviewing, or observing readers as they use the existing document. What is one other technique?

using templates can lead to three problems. One is that templates may bore readers. What are the other two?

What are the two major ways to revise a document?

Even though cultures differ, technical documents tend to be written in a similar way no matter where you go.

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?

Which of the options below is NOT one that Chapter 3 lists as a reason a writer should think during the planning stage about which is the best writing tool available?

Which of the following does Chapter 3 suggest as a method for effective proofreading?

Chapter 3 lists eight steps that are often involved in planning a document. One is generating ideas about your subject. What are two other steps listed in Chapter 3?

Identify one of the strategies listed in Chapter 3 for acknowledging reviewers who contributed significant feedback on your document.

One disadvantage of using the Styles feature of a word processor is that you cannot create new styles.

Templates are useful because they organize a document for you.

You should choose the method of delivering your document after the document is complete.

Styles are preformatted designs for different kinds of documents, such as business letters, memos, newsletters, and reports.

Which of these is not an effective technique for generating ideas about your subject?

Why is it important to plan your document before you start drafting it?

In which of these stages is the outline view of a document most likely to be helpful?

today's composition tools cannot help you do which of the following?

how much time can someone expect to spend planning a writing project?

When drafting a document, you come to an item that you don't understand or that requires more research. What should you do?

Introduction to Technical Communication

Understanding Ethical and Legal Considerations

Writing Collaboratively

Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose

Researching Your Subject

Organizing Your Information

Communicating Persuasively

Emphasizing Important Information

Writing Correct and Effective Sentences

Designing Print and Online Documents

Creating Graphics

Reviewing, Evaluating, and Testing Documents and Web Sites

Writing Correspondence

Writing Job-Application Materials

Writing Proposals

Writing Informational Reports

Writing Recommendation Reports

Writing Lab Reports

Writing Definitions, Descriptions, and Instructions

Making Oral Presentations

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