Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

C

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Chapter 3 discusses the writing process as a series of stages, which include planning, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading. While brainstorming and researching are important prewriting stages, they are not specifically mentioned as stages in Chapter 3. Therefore, the best choices for the two other stages discussed in Chapter 3 are A) planning and C) proofreading.

Question 3

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.

Accepted Answer

All of the choices listed are potential expenses that could be included in the budget for a writing project. Travel may be necessary to conduct research or conduct interviews with subject matter experts. Usability testing can help ensure that the final document is effective and user-friendly for the intended audience. Printing and binding costs may also be necessary if physical copies of the document are needed.

Question 4

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.

Accepted Answer

While it may be helpful to get feedback from eventual readers, it is not necessary and may not always be feasible. It is more important for the writer to check for diction, mechanics, and readability on their own.

Question 5

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?

Accepted Answer

Understanding your reader's attitudes and expectations can help you tailor your message to their needs and interests. It can also inform the tone and style of your writing. The other options (B, C, and D) are not as important to consider during the planning stage or are not relevant to audience analysis.

Question 6

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.

Accepted Answer

Proofreading as you are drafting can be a waste of time because everything you write is subject to being revised, moved, or even deleted. It's better to save proofreading until the end of the project when you can review the entire document and identify any errors or inconsistencies.

Question 7

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.

Accepted Answer

Planning your document before starting drafting it can make the writing process more efficient, make your final document more effective at fulfilling its purpose, and help you create a realistic schedule. Therefore, all responses are correct.

Question 8

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?

Accepted Answer

The question about keeping the project within the available budget is not related to revising the document itself, but rather to the overall project management. The other questions are focused on the content and structure of the document, which are key aspects to consider during the revision process.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Using a report template would allow the team of writers to have a standardized design for their technical reports, which would make their collaboration more efficient. A grammar checker and thesaurus may help with editing, but they do not address the issue of design standardization. A branching diagram may be useful for organizing ideas, but it is not specified as a requirement for the collaborative writing process.

Question 10

Which word best describes the process of writing technical documents?
A) linear
B) nonlinear
C) static
D) fixed

Accepted Answer

Technical writing often involves a nonlinear process, as it may require revisiting, revising, and updating information based on new data, feedback, or changes in technology. This iterative process is essential for ensuring accuracy and relevance in technical documents.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

A cloud-based, multi-author word processor such as Google Docs would allow team members to contribute to the report from anywhere, regardless of time zone differences. This also allows for real-time collaboration and editing. A preformatted document template or set of document styles may be helpful for consistency, but does not address the issue of multiple contributors in different time zones. A microblogging platform, such as Twitter, is not suitable for a comprehensive status report.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of these best describes the process...

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

Accepted Answer

This answer is not listed as a reason in Chapter 3 for why a writer should think about which is the best writing tool available during the planning stage. The other options mentioned in the question (A, B, and D) are all reasons given in the chapter.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of how much time can someone expect to...

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

The outline view of a document is most likely to be helpful during the revising stage, as it allows for a clearer overview of the overall structure and organization of the document. This can help with identifying areas that need restructuring or further development.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

Creating an index involves organizing already existing ideas or information and is not a technique for generating new ideas. The other options all involve brainstorming and generating new ideas.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Analyzing your purpose is important in order to determine the audience and the tone of the document. Devising a schedule and a budget is important in order to plan out the timeline and resources needed for the project. Proofreading is a separate step that comes after the drafting and revision stages. Freewriting is a technique to generate ideas and is part of the first step listed, generating ideas about the topic.

Question 18

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.

Accepted Answer

Statement C is too broad and vague to be an effective statement of purpose for a document. It doesn't provide any specific information about what the document will contain or what the reader can expect to learn. Effective statements of purpose should be clear, concise, and specific about the intended outcome of the document. The other statements provide clear and specific information about the purpose of the document.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of today's composition tools cannot help you do...

Question 20

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.

Accepted Answer

Preformatted templates can save time on formatting, which allows the writer to focus on creating effective content. This can be a big benefit for someone with a tight deadline or limited time for their project. While templates may not always reflect good design principles, the benefit of time savings and ability to focus on content make them a useful tool for many writers.

Quiz 3: Writing Technical Documents

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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?

Which word best describes the process of writing technical documents?

Which of these best describes the process of revising a document?

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?

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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