Question 1

Most technical documents are produced by professional technical communicators working alone.

Accepted Answer

While some technical documents may be produced solely by professional technical communicators, many are the result of collaborative efforts involving subject matter experts, engineers, designers, and other stakeholders. Additionally, many technical documents are reviewed and edited by individuals outside of the technical communication field.

Question 2

Chapter 1 cites three reasons for ensuring that technical communication is honest. The first is that being honest is the right thing to do. What is one other reason?

Accepted Answer

One other reason for ensuring that technical communication is honest, aside from it being the right thing to do, is that honesty builds credibility and trust. When technical communicators are consistently honest in their information and interactions, they establish themselves as reliable and trustworthy sources. This trust is crucial for effective communication because it means that the audience is more likely to believe and act upon the information provided. If a technical communicator is found to be dishonest, it can damage their reputation and the reputation of their organization, leading to a loss of credibility, which can be very difficult to rebuild. Trust is a foundational element in any relationship, including the professional relationships between communicators and their audiences, and honesty is key to maintaining that trust.

Question 3

Chapter 1 lists nine measures of excellence in technical communication. For example, excellent technical communication is honest. What are three other measures of excellence?

Accepted Answer

As the question refers to a specific source, "Chapter 1," without providing the title or author of the book or document, I cannot directly quote the nine measures of excellence in technical communication from that source. However, I can provide you with three commonly accepted measures of excellence in technical communication based on general principles in the field:

1. Clarity: Excellent technical communication should be clear and easily understood by the intended audience. This means avoiding unnecessary jargon, explaining complex concepts in a straightforward manner, and organizing information in a logical and coherent way.

2. Accuracy: The information presented must be accurate and up-to-date. This involves careful research, fact-checking, and revision to ensure that all technical details, data, and instructions are correct and reliable.

3. Audience Awareness: Excellent technical communicators must be aware of their audience's needs, background knowledge, and level of expertise. They tailor their communication to suit the audience, ensuring that it is appropriate in terms of complexity, technicality, and tone.

These measures, along with honesty as mentioned in the question, are essential for creating effective and reliable technical communication. If you have access to the specific source mentioned, you would be able to find the complete list of nine measures as outlined in that particular text.

Question 4

Chapter 1 lists six defining characteristics of technical communication. One characteristic is that technical communication addresses particular readers. What are three other characteristics mentioned in the chapter?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Chapter 1 lists six defining characteristics of...

Question 5

Why is the ability to prioritize and respond quickly more valuable in the contemporary workplace than ever before?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why is the ability to prioritize and...

Question 6

Social-media posts such as tweets can be examples of technical documents.

Accepted Answer

Social media posts, including tweets, can convey technical information and may be considered a form of technical communication.

Question 7

Technical communication primarily involves those whose main job is to produce documentation such as reports and manuals.

Accepted Answer

Technical communication is a broader field that involves not only the creation of documentation like reports and manuals but also encompasses communicating complex information to specific audiences through various means, including presentations, emails, policy statements, social media, and more. It is not limited to those whose main job is to produce documentation.

Question 8

Technical communication involves knowing where to find trustworthy information.

Accepted Answer

Technical communication often requires conveying accurate and reliable information. Therefore, knowing where to find trustworthy information is essential in technical communication.

Question 9

Accessibility is a measure of how easily a document can be downloaded.

Accepted Answer

Accessibility refers to how easily a document can be accessed and used by people with disabilities, not just how easily it can be downloaded.

Question 10

One basic purpose of design features is to create a positive impression with a document. What is one other purpose mentioned in Chapter 1?

Accepted Answer

The answer of One basic purpose of design features is...

Question 11

Generosity and honesty are characteristics of effective technical communicators.

Accepted Answer

Generosity and honesty are important qualities for effective technical communication because they allow technical communicators to communicate clearly and accurately with their audience, build trust and credibility, and work collaboratively with others to achieve their goals. A technically accurate and comprehensive message delivered with generosity and honesty can help technical communicators to establish themselves as experts in their field and build strong relationships with their audience and colleagues.

Question 12

Chapter 1 identifies correctness as a characteristic of good technical communication. In this context, correctness refers to the proper use of grammar and punctuation to accurately convey the intended meaning.

Accepted Answer

Chapter 1 of technical communication identifies correctness as a key characteristic of good technical communication, referring to the proper use of grammar and punctuation to accurately convey the intended meaning.

Question 13

As used in Chapter 1, what does clarity mean?

Accepted Answer

The answer of As used in Chapter 1, what does...

Question 14

Chapter 1 lists a variety of examples of workplace communication. Name four of them.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Chapter 1 lists a variety of examples...

Question 15

How does emotional intelligence relate to being a successful communicator in the workplace?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does emotional intelligence relate to being...

Question 16

As used in Chapter 1, what does usability mean?

Accepted Answer

The answer of As used in Chapter 1, what does...

Question 17

What is a technical communicator?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is a technical communicator?...

Question 18

An effective technical document must be both concise and comprehensive.

Accepted Answer

An effective technical document should be concise, but it should also include all necessary information and details to be comprehensive. It should be well-organized, clear, and easy to understand.

Question 19

When you are communicating technical information on the job, your audience tends to be the same every time.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false because the audience for technical information can vary depending on the project, department or organization. Different stakeholders such as managers, developers, or customers may require different levels of technical knowledge and understanding, so you may need to adjust your communication style and approach accordingly.

Question 20

Companies hiring technical professionals such as engineers, scientists, and programmers focus primarily on the technical abilities of the candidates they consider for employment.

Accepted Answer

While technical abilities are crucial, companies also highly value soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities in their candidates.

Quiz 1: Introduction to Technical Communication

Most technical documents are produced by professional technical communicators working alone.

Chapter 1 cites three reasons for ensuring that technical communication is honest. The first is that being honest is the right thing to do. What is one other reason?

Chapter 1 lists nine measures of excellence in technical communication. For example, excellent technical communication is honest. What are three other measures of excellence?

Chapter 1 lists six defining characteristics of technical communication. One characteristic is that technical communication addresses particular readers. What are three other characteristics mentioned in the chapter?

Why is the ability to prioritize and respond quickly more valuable in the contemporary workplace than ever before?

Social-media posts such as tweets can be examples of technical documents.

Technical communication primarily involves those whose main job is to produce documentation such as reports and manuals.

Technical communication involves knowing where to find trustworthy information.

Accessibility is a measure of how easily a document can be downloaded.

One basic purpose of design features is to create a positive impression with a document. What is one other purpose mentioned in Chapter 1?

Generosity and honesty are characteristics of effective technical communicators.

Chapter 1 identifies correctness as a characteristic of good technical communication. In this context, correctness refers to the proper use of grammar and punctuation to accurately convey the intended meaning.

As used in Chapter 1, what does clarity mean?

Chapter 1 lists a variety of examples of workplace communication. Name four of them.

How does emotional intelligence relate to being a successful communicator in the workplace?

As used in Chapter 1, what does usability mean?

What is a technical communicator?

An effective technical document must be both concise and comprehensive.

When you are communicating technical information on the job, your audience tends to be the same every time.

Companies hiring technical professionals such as engineers, scientists, and programmers focus primarily on the technical abilities of the candidates they consider for employment.