Deck 3: Writing Technical Documents

Question 1

You manage a software development group with team members in North America, South America, and Asia. Your boss wants you to write a status report about your group's activities. You need key team members to contribute to the report, but doing so is challenging when team members are in so many different time zones. Which writing tool is likely to benefit you most on this project?

A) a preformatted document template
B) a cloud-based, multi-author word processor
C) a set of document styles
D) a microblogging platform

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which statement identifies a benefit of using a preformatted template for your writing project?

A) You can trust that templates always reflect good principles of design and layout.
B) Templates can save you time on formatting and allow you to focus on creating effective content.
C) Templates do not need to be changed; in fact, often you cannot change them.
D) Readers learn to memorize documents made from templates they have already seen.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Which of these is NOT an effective statement of purpose for a document?

A) The purpose of this document is to help readers install the 3.0 update to our Wizar-Tater software.
B) The purpose of this document is to help employees understand why they will have to pay higher insurance premiums.
C) The purpose of this document is to change the landscape of enterprise software.
D) The purpose of this document is to explain whether the company should adopt a health-promotion program.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Which word best describes the process of writing technical documents?

A) linear
B) nonlinear
C) static
D) fixed

Question 5

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

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

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?

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

Question 7

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

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 8

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

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

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

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

Question 10

Why should you save proofreading until the end of your project instead of proofreading as you are drafting?

A) Studies show that writers can effectively increase their focus as they approach the end of a long, tiring project.
B) When you are drafting, everything you write is subject to being revised, moved, or even deleted.
C) Proofreading is the most efficient way of working through the writing process.
D) None of the responses are correct.

Question 11

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

A) analyzing your purpose
B) proofreading
C) freewriting
D) devising a schedule and a budget

Question 12

Chapter 3 describes the writing process as a series of stages. One stage is drafting. What are two other stages discussed in Chapter 3?

A) planning
B) brainstorming
C) proofreading
D) researching

Question 13

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?

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 14

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

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

Question 15

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 question to consider during planning?

A) What are your reader's attitudes and expectations?
B) How much time do you have to write the document?
C) Are your readers male or female?
D) Do you have enough money in the budget that you can afford usability testing?

Question 16

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) changing your document to improve style, diction, and mechanics
C) reexamining your draft to see if it serves your audience and your purpose
D) developing an outline of major points you want to make

Question 17

Funds for which of the following might appear in the budget for a writing project?

A) travel to meet with experts on your subject
B) usability testing of your document with members of the target audience
C) printing and binding costs from a local print shop
D) All responses are correct.

Question 18

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

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 19

Which of these questions is NOT likely to help you revise your document?

A) Have I included all the elements my readers expect to see?
B) Have I left out anything in turning my outline into a draft?
C) Have I kept the project within the available budget?
D) Is the document persuasive?

Question 20

In editing and proofreading a document, a writer should NOT do which of the following?

A) Consider the diction (word choice) in individual sentences.
B) Give the document to the eventual reader and ask if he or she understands it.
C) Check for problems with mechanics, such as the use of numbers and abbreviations.
D) Reread the draft out loud.

Question 21

What are the two major ways to revise a document?

Question 22

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?

Question 23

Proofreading should precede the editing process.

Question 24

Chapter 3 describes the writing process as a series of stages. One stage is drafting. What are the other stages discussed in Chapter 3?

Question 25

Editing your documents is a way to show respect to your audience.

Question 26

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

Question 27

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

Question 28

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

Question 29

When revising documents for technical communication, you should ask two kinds of people for help. One type is subject-matter experts. What is the other one?

Question 30

If you don't know whether to write too, two, or to, you should trust the spell-checker to help you decide.

Question 31

Chapter 3 discusses three questions about audience to consider during the planning stage of the writing process. One is "What are your reader's attitudes and expectations?" What is another question about your audience that you should consider?

Question 32

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 project.

Question 33

Templates are useful because they organize a document for you.

Question 34

The outline view is a word-processing feature that suggests how you ought to outline common types of documents such as letters and memos.

Question 35

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

Question 36

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?

Question 37

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

Question 38

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

Question 39

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

Question 40

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