CH23 - Report Planning and Choosing a Topic Flashcards
What is the iterative process in report writing?
A repeated cycle of operations used to calculate a desired result.
The iterative process involves revisiting stages to improve the output.
What are the three stages of the report writing process?
- Planning Your Message
- Producing a Draft
- Polishing the Draft
These stages must be followed and revisited in technical communication.
Define a focused topic in the context of report writing.
A report topic that is specific and not too broad or general.
A focused topic helps in managing the amount of information to cover.
What is the purpose of developing a research question?
To guide your research and help identify key words and terminology related to your topic.
A good research question should be somewhat open-ended.
Fill in the blank: The process of report writing is similar to the _______ process used by NASA.
design
List some strategies for developing a focused topic.
- Free-writing
- Mind-mapping or Concept-mapping
- Questioning
- Brainstorming
These strategies help identify knowledge gaps and narrow research focus.
What are the rhetorical elements to consider when choosing a topic?
- Audience
- Purpose
- Limitations
- Constraints
These elements help craft your message effectively.
True or False: A focused topic is too broad and general.
False
How did Mei determine her research question?
By using the Questioning method to identify her interests and knowledge gaps.
Her research question was: How can nuclear energy help reduce the impacts of Climate Change?
What was Hamid’s general topic for his persuasive speech?
Lyme disease
He used a mind-map to explore and narrow his focus.
What is the key takeaway regarding the stages of technical communication?
They follow a repeating pattern that helps generate a more effective, polished message.
The stages are Planning, Producing, and Polishing.
Fill in the blank: After developing a focused topic, the next step is to write a _______.
research question
What was Hamid’s research question?
Why is Lyme Disease becoming more prevalent in Canada and what steps should Canadians take to avoid it?
His question reflects his need to educate others about the disease.
What is the significance of understanding the scope of your project?
To grasp the expectations and limitations of what can be achieved.
Understanding scope helps in setting realistic goals for your report.
