question

Raw data is a highly usable type of information. T/F

answer

False

question

In the best technical documents, the writer "disappears." T/F

answer

False

question

A technical document focuses on.... -the subject -the writer's feelings -both the subject and the writer's feelings -marketing -none of these

answer

the subject

question

The language of a technical document is -confidently judgmental. -none of these -entertaining -effeicient -prosiac

answer

efficient

question

As you advance in your profession, your ability to communicate is likely to become more important than your technical background. T/F

answer

True

question

A computer can transmit data, but it cannot give ________ to the information.

answer

meaning

question

A technical document is based on. . . -usable information -inspiration -the writer's deepest impressions -intuition -none of these

answer

usable information

question

Effective communicators "let the data speak for themselves." T/F

answer

False

question

Direct, straightforward communication is valued by all cultures. T/F

answer

False

question

Executives consistently rank ________ skills as the most vital of employee qualities.

answer

communication

question

For best emphasis, avoid placing the key word or phrase at the sentence's. . . -terminal -end -beginning -middle

answer

middle

question

Whenever possible, you should preface your assertions with "I think," "In my opinion," "I believe," or some other qualifier. T/F

answer

False

question

In its style, an efficient sentence is clear, concise, and. . . -informative 0short -fluent -entertaining -mellifluous

answer

fluent

question

The passive voice is usually more forceful and direct than the active voice. T/F

answer

False

question

When combining sentences, place the idea that deserves most emphasis in a clause that is. . . -subordinate -independent -none of these -relative -dependent

answer

Independent

question

Never use "I" in technical writing. T/F

answer

False

question

Technical communicators should generally avoid. . . -topic sentences -euphemisms -active voice -analogies -short sentences

answer

euphemisms

question

You should avoid using short sentences in technical writing. T/F

answer

False

question

The less specialized your audience, the fewer acronyms you should use. T/F

answer

True

question

For most technical documents, choose a tone that is. . . -prosiac conversational -formal -embracing -serious

answer

conversational

question

When unable to identify all members of an audience, you should aim at the least specialized members. T/F

answer

True

question

When does a message have informative value for its audience?

answer

gives knowledge

question

We focus on our audience and purpose by answering these questions: Who wants the report? Who else will read it? List two other questions writers ask about their audience.

answer

Why do they want it? What do they need to know?

question

Nontechnical audiences are merely interested in the bare facts, without explanations. T/F

answer

False

question

Primary and secondary audiences often have different technical backgrounds.

answer

True

question

Audience analysis is only necessary when the document is long or complex. T/F

answer

False

question

Primary audiences usually expect a semi technical message.

answer

False

question

Short reports are always written at the lowest level of technicality. T/F

answer

False

question

Justification reports are unique in that they are. . . -authorized or requested by the readders -often initiated by the writer -rarely written by junior employees -none

answer

often initiated by the writer

question

A typical memo does not have. . . -topic headings -single spacing -subject line -complimentary close and signature -distribution notation

answer

-complimentary close and signature

question

Use your company's email network to send. . -a formal letter to a client. -all of these -an evaluation of an employee. -an announcement for a company picnic. -a dinner invitation to a colleague.

answer

announcement for a company picnic

question

A memorandum usually should be no more than one page long. T/F

answer

False

question

Monitoring of email by an employer is legal. T/F

answer

True

question

Memos are major means of written communication within organizations because they. . . leave a "paper trail." are easy to write and read. are less expensive than other communications media. all of these are correct

answer

paper trail

question

As a form of internal correspondence, memos have few legal implications. T/F

answer

False

question

Email increases both the quantity and quality of information. T/F

answer

False

question

Writing in FULL CAPS increases the readability of email. T/F

answer

False

question

Appeal to logic

answer

logos

question

appeal to character

answer

ethos

question

appeal to emotion

answer

pathos

question

For highlighting your document. . . use dramatic typefaces sparingly. use FULL CAPS often. use all of these. use color generously. use long lines of italic type.

answer

use dramatic typefaces sparingly

question

Technical documents usually are read with undivided attention. T/F

answer

False

question

For users who will be facing complex information or difficult steps, you should not. . . increase all white space. shorten the paragraphs. widen the margins. use visuals. use a 10-point or smaller type size.

answer

use a 10 point font

question

For any document that your audience is likely to read completely (such as a letter, memo, or instructions) you should. . . -double-space within paragraphs and triple-space between. -use any of these. -use long paragraphs. -double-space between all lines. -single-space within paragraphs and double-space between.

answer

single spaces and double spaces between

question

When adding headings, be sure to. . . use headings sparingly. -make each higher-level heading yield at least three lower-level headings. -use no more than two levels of headings. -insert one additional line of space above your heading. -use "catchy" phrasing.

answer

insert an additional line of space above the heading

question

Page design requirements vary from organization to organization. T/F

answer

True

question

Words in lowercase letters are easier to read than those in uppercase letters. T/F

answer

True

question

Margins of 1/2 inch or smaller are desirable for most documents. T/F

answer

False

question

For more personal forms of communication (letters/ memos, and so on), choose. . . warm designs. unjustified text. short lines. justified text. barely justified text.

answer

unjustified text

question

Whenever possible, begin a sentence after a heading with This, It, or some other pronoun that refers to the heading. T/F

answer

False

question

conflict over differing opinions about how the group should function, is called

answer

procedural conflict

question

conflict between personalities

answer

affective conflict

question

conflict over the content and structure of the thing being prepared

answer

substantive conflict

question

Conflict in collaborative groups can increase when the group transacts exclusively online. T/F

answer

true

question

Conflict in a collaborative group can be productive. T/F

answer

true

question

Sources of conflict in collaborative groups include. . . interpersonal differences. gender differences. cultural differences. all of these

answer

all of these

question

In collaborating to produce a document, all members of a collaborative team participate in the actual "writing." T/F

answer

false

question

A collaborative group functions best when each of its members has equal authority. T/F

answer

false

question

In mixed-gender groups, assertive females are considered highly persuasive.

answer

false

question

"Reviewing" is a more precise term for "editing."

answer

false

question

Electronically mediated collaboration is preferable when. . . none of these it is important to neutralize personality clashes. all of these people don't know each other. the issue is sensitive or controversial.

answer

it is important to neutralize personality clashes

question

Strategies for creative thinking include all of the following except. . . brain scanning. storyboarding. brain-storming. brain-writing. mind mapping.

answer

brain scanning

question

Workplace surveys show that people view meetings as a big waste of time. T/F

answer

true

question

In general, phrase instructions in the. . -passive voice and the indicative mood. -active voice and the subjunctive mood. -active voice and imperative mood. -all of these

answer

active voice, imperative mood

question

Working definitions of specialized terms for instructions belong. . . in the introduction. just before the related step. in a glossary. none of these

answer

introduction

question

Always use the imperative mood in phrasing instructions for cross-cultural audiences. T/F

answer

false

question

Because users are often impatient, the introduction to a set of instructions should give very little background. T/F

answer

False

question

Instructions emphasize. . . all of these the subject's performance. the writer's performance. the user's performance. none of these

answer

the user's performance

question

Above all, make your instructions brief. T/F

answer

false

question

Of all kinds of technical communication, instructions have the most demanding requirements for clarity and phrasing. T/F

answer

true

question

Any warnings or cautions should be spelled out. . . in an appendix. just before the respective steps. in the introduction. all of theses

answer

just before the respective steps

question

Any visual in a set of instructions should be. . . placed in an appendix so as not to interrupt the steps. placed in the introduction to increase interest. incorporated within the discussion of the related step for immediate reference. none of these

answer

incorporated in related step

question

To avoid cluttering your instructions, use as few transitional expressions as possible. T/F

answer

false

question

3 parts sentence definition

answer

item, class, distinguishing features

question

Circular definitions help clarify technical concepts. T/F

answer

false

question

Defining a term by using the term in the definition.

answer

circular definition

question

Abstract and general terms (e.g. condominium, loan, partnership) often call for. . all of these parenthetical definition. sentence definition. none of these expanded definition.

answer

expanded definition

question

Working definitions often are stated as. . . parenthetical definitions. sentence definitions. eclectic definitions. expanded definitions. none of these

answer

sentence definitions

question

The specific strategies of expansion you choose will depend on. . . the time you have. none of these the needs of your audience. the information you have. the amount of space in your report.

answer

needs of audience

question

If your report has many parenthetical or sentence definitions, place them. . . at appropriate places throughout the discussion. in a glossary. in an index. in the introduction. in the informative abstract.

answer

in a glossary

question

Definitions should be. . . objective. eclectic. engaging. judgmental. impressionistic.

answer

objective

question

Besides etymology, history, and background, list three strategies for expanding definitions.

answer

visuals, negation, analysis of parts

question

Parenthetical definitions are often synonyms. T/F

answer

true

question

Expanded definitions usually belong in report appendixes. T/F

answer

false

question

An outstanding benefit of the more popular computer graphics programs is. . . engaging visual designs. clip art. relative ease of use. the many colors that can be produced on a map, graph, and so on. none of these

answer

relative ease of use

question

To illustrate concepts, the parts in a block diagram are represented as symbols or as geometric shapes.

answer

true

question

All visuals belong in. . . in a glossary. appendices. none of these the report text. in either the report text or the appendices, depending on their relationship to the discussion.

answer

either the report text or appendices

question

The more complex and richly detailed the visual, the more interesting readers will find it. T/F

answer

false

question

Distortion for the sake of emphasis in a visual often is justified. T/F

answer

false

question

Pie charts generally should have no more than eight segments. T/F

answer

true

question

To show how the parts of an item are assembled, use. . . a photograph. an exploded diagram. an organizational chart. a pie chart. a bar graph.

answer

exploded diagram

question

For illustrating a trend, the appropriate figure is typically. . . a block diagram. a pie chart. a bar graph. a line graph. a photograph.

answer

line graph

question

For illustrating specific parts in a complex mechanism, photographs are generally better than diagrams. T/F

answer

false

question

A legend is none of these a list that credits data sources for the visual. a prose introduction to a visual. a caption that explains each bar or line in a graph. a visual achievement of historic magnitude.

answer

caption that explains each bar or line on graph

question

"Phlebotomy specimen" is a more precise and descriptive way of saying "blood." T/F

answer

false

question

The most precise technical descriptions are. . .

answer

objective

question

Besides a spatial sequence, list two possible sequences for describing an item.

answer

chronological, functional

question

Besides "What is it?" List three reader questions that are typically answered by a technical description.

answer

what does it do? What does it look like? how does it work?

question

The details you select for a description will depend on all these elements except. . -your user's information needs. -the intended use of the description. -your writing situation. -your purpose. -your personal preferences.

answer

your personal preferences

question

The main purpose of technical description is to stimulate consumer interest in products. T/F

answer

false

question

Words such as impressive, new, improved, large, and better often are seen in technical descriptions. T/F

answer

false

question

Users of any technical description need as much information as possible. T/F

answer

false

question

Any item can be described in many ways.

answer

true

question

When in doubt about how much to include in a description, one should remember that too many details always are better than too few. T/F

answer

true

question

experts understand process but don't participate Expects the description to be in the active 1st or 3rd person point-of-view. Expects the description to be in the past tense, although the "historical present" is also appropriate.

answer

process desription

question

Expects to perform the process—to cause the relevant actions to occur. Expects instructions to be in the second person. Use of any other tense will greatly confuse the reader as to the document's purpose. Expects the instructions to be written in the command mode.

answer

process instruction

question

Usability testing should occur under controlled conditions. T/F

answer

true

question

Usability testing is usually performed only on complex products or documents. T/F

answer

false

question

A basic usability survey focuses primarily on a document's content. T/F

answer

false

question

Three "human factors" that enhance or limit performance include. . .

answer

able to easily locate information needed, understand the information immediately, and use the info successfully

question

Usability criteria for a document are defined by. . user characteristics. none of these all of these constraints of the setting. the type of task.

answer

all of these

question

Online documents tend to be organized in modular fashion. T/F

answer

true

question

Expert users tend to read a document sequentially (page by page). T/F

answer

false

question

In testing a document for usability, each evaluator should work alone. T/F

answer

true

question

Online documents are often harder to navigate than printed pages. T/F

answer

true

question

A usable document enables users to do all of the following except. . . carry out the task safely, efficiently, and accurately. understand the information. develop creative approaches to the task. use the information successfully. easily locate the needed information.

answer

develop creative approaches

question

Audiences for analytical reports always expect. . . just the facts, so that they can interpret them as they see fit. a full interpretation of the data. valid conclusions and recommendations. detailed instructions.

answer

full interpretation of data

question

Audiences for analytical reports are likely to be most interested in. . . the visuals and appendices. the body. the introduction. the headings. the conclusion.

answer

the conclusions

question

You should always construct a formal outline of your analysis before writing a first draft. T/F

answer

false

question

Every problem has a definite solution that can be revealed in an exhaustive analysis.

answer

false

question

Writers of analytical reports. . . -begin with a clear identification of the problem or question. -usually discover the problem or question only during their investigation or drafting. -ignore the problem or question until they have completed their research. -eschew visuals.

answer

clear identification

question

Among the typical analytical problems are "Why does X happen?" and "How do I do X?"

answer

false

question

An analytical report may address two or more types of analytical problems. T/F

answer

true

question

Thinking critically about your recommendations means. . . considering all the details. locating the weak spots. making improvements. all of these

answer

all of these

question

The general purpose in any analysis is to prove the writer's point. In your analytical report, therefore, cite only data that support your thesis.

answer

false

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