Lesson 1: Introduction to Technical Communication

Question 1

Technical writing

Answer 1

A variety of documents produced in areas such as business, science, social science, engineering, and education

Question 2

Visual communication (graphics)

Answer 2

Any kind of visual communication that relays information through an image like a chart, table, graph, or photograph

Question 3

Technical communication

Answer 3

Any technical document designed to communicate information to a specific audience through writing and graphics

Question 4

Clarity

Answer 4

The writing is clear and easy to understand

Question 5

Utility

Answer 5

The writing is useful to the reader

Question 6

Audience

Answer 6

The writing is reader centered

Question 7

Rhetorical triangle

Answer 7

Composed of 4 elements: the audience, the communicator, the message, and the context

Question 8

Purpose

Answer 8

To inform, persuade, explain how to do something, or solve problems, among other things

Question 9

Ethics

Answer 9

A set of principles you use to determine right from wrong

Question 10

Medium

Answer 10

The means by which information is conveyed

Question 11

Research

Answer 11

Information a technical writer must find before starting to write

Question 12

Focus/unity

Answer 12

A focused document stays on topic and includes no digressions or other extraneous material

Question 13

Organization

Answer 13

A document should have a defined structure and be organized in a way that represents a logical progression from beginning to end

Question 14

Development

Answer 14

Refers to the depth of the ideas and how they are presented, for example through the use of analyses, comparisons, or supporting details

Question 15

Word usage

Answer 15

Proper word usage includes selecting the correct word for a given context and eliminating overused, ineffective, or inappropriate expressions, such as cliches, slang, informal language, and excessive technical jargon

Question 16

Sentence structure

Answer 16

Refers to the way the different parts of a sentence are combined to form grammatically correct writing; well-constructed sentences make a document clearer and easier to read

Question 17

Mechanics

Answer 17

Show the writer’s understanding and application of correct spelling, punctuation, and capitalization; good mechanics make a piece of writing easier to read; error-free content also helps establish the credibility of the author

Question 18

Technical writing requires that writers _____.

Answer 18

Explain concepts to an audience, solve problems, and use outside source material

Question 19

Technical documents often contain the following elements: _____.

Answer 19

Numbered lists, tables, diagrams, and charts

Question 20

In the workplace, technical writers _____.

Answer 20

Use authoring software

Question 21

What are the three key concepts of technical writing?

Answer 21

Audience, clarity, and utility

Question 22

The rhetorical triangle includes the communicator, the message, and the audience. What is the fourth element of the triangle?

Answer 22

Context

Question 23

One of the most important characteristics of technical writing is _____.

Answer 23

That all technical writing is reader centered

Question 24

What question might a technical writer ask about the reader they are trying to connect with?

Answer 24

Where does my reader live?
What is my reader’s native language?
What age bracket does my reader fall into?

Question 25

Which of the following is not true?

Answer 25

A technical writer’s ethics will not be tested when researching or using outside materials

Question 26

As one of the seven principles of effective writing, organization means that _____.

Answer 26

The writing uses a logical and structural order