1 chapter 1

About this deck

This deck includes 69 flashcards covering technical communication, academic writing, typical audience, and related concepts. Use it to review key Psychology ideas, focus on weak cards, and prepare for your exam with StudyLess.

1. 01

   What is technical communication?

   A method of researching and creating information about technical processes or products directed to an audience through media, ensuring relevance to the intended audience.

2. 02

   What is the primary purpose of academic writing?

   To demonstrate your knowledge of the topic.

3. 03

   Who is the typical audience for academic writing?

   The teacher.

4. 04

   What are the criteria for evaluation in academic writing?

   Depth, logic, clarity, unity, and grammar.

5. 05

   What is the primary purpose of technical communication?

   To accomplish a task.

6. 06

   Whose knowledge of the topic is typically greater in technical communication?

   The writer's knowledge is greater than the reader's.

7. 07

   Who is the typical audience for technical communication?

   A variety of people with differing technical backgrounds.

8. 08

   What are the criteria for evaluation in technical communication?

   Clearly organized ideas that meet the needs of busy readers.

9. 09

   What are examples of technical communication?

   In-house correspondence, short reports, long reports, proposals, and websites.

10. 10

    How does academic writing display knowledge?

    It displays the student's knowledge.

11. 11

    Who completes academic writing?

    A student for a teacher.

12. 12

    Whom does academic writing aim to satisfy?

    One person, the teacher.

13. 13

    How does technical communication play a role on the job?

    It plays a practical role.

14. 14

    Who completes technical communication?

    An informed writer to an uninformed reader.

15. 15

    Who reads technical communication?

    Many readers.

16. 16

    What are the three main stages in the process of technical communication?

    Planning, Drafting, and Revising.

17. 17

    What is the first step in the planning stage of technical communication?

    Determining the purpose.

18. 18

    What is the second step in the planning stage of technical communication?

    Analyzing your readers.

19. 19

    What is the third step in the planning stage of technical communication?

    Collecting information.

20. 20

    What is the fourth step in the planning stage of technical communication?

    Completing an outline.

21. 21

    What is the fifth step in the planning stage of technical communication?

    Planning layout and graphics.

22. 22

    What is the main activity in the drafting stage?

    Writing initial drafts.

23. 23

    What are the sub-steps within the revising stage?

    Reviewing layout and graphics, editing for mechanics, editing for grammar, editing for style, and adjusting content.

24. 24

    What is the first question to ask when determining the purpose of a document?

    Why am I writing this document?

25. 25

    How should the answer to 'Why am I writing this document?' be formulated?

    In one or two sentences, and it should move to the beginning of your outline.

26. 26

    What is the second question to ask when determining the purpose of a document?

    What response do I want from readers?

27. 27

    What should be the focus when answering 'What response do I want from readers?'

    Pinpoint what you want your audience to know, think, or feel.

28. 28

    What are the three main categories of obstacles for readers?

    Readers are always interrupted, readers are impatient, and readers lack your technical knowledge.

29. 29

    What is another significant obstacle for readers related to documents?

    Most documents have more than one reader.

30. 30

    What is the first way to understand readers?

    Write down what you know about your reader.

31. 31

    What is the second way to understand readers?

    Talk with colleagues who have written to the same readers.

32. 32

    What is the third way to understand readers?

    Find out who makes decisions.

33. 33

    What is a key preference to remember about all readers?

    All readers prefer simplicity.

34. 34

    What are the four technical levels of readers?

    Managers, Experts, Operators, and General Readers.

35. 35

    What do managers (as readers) expect?

    Background information, definitions of technical terms, lists and format devices that highlight points, and clear statements about what should happen next.

36. 36

    What do experts (as readers) expect?

    Thorough explanations of technical details, data in tables and figures, references to outside sources, and clearly labeled appendices.

37. 37

    What do operators (as readers) expect?

    A clear table of contents, easy-to-read listings for procedures, definitions of technical terms, and a clear statement of how the document affects their jobs.

38. 38

    What do general readers ('laypersons') expect?

    Definitions of technical terms, frequent use of graphics, and a clear distinction between facts and opinions.

39. 39

    What are the three decision-making levels of audience?

    Decision-Makers, Advisers, and Receivers.

40. 40

    What is the role of the First-Level Audience (Decision-Makers)?

    To translate information into action.

41. 41

    What is the role of the Second-Level Audience (Advisers)?

    To give advice to those who make decisions.

42. 42

    What is the role of the Third-Level Audience (Receivers)?

    To receive information contained in the document.

43. 43

    What are the three options for organizing information based on reader type?

    Option A (Organize for technical readers), Option B (Organize for less-technical readers), and Option C (Organize for all readers).

44. 44

    What is the first principle of organization?

    Write different parts for different readers.

45. 45

    How do readers use a 'speed-read' approach for lengthy documents?

    They write in a way that responds to the 'speed-reader', direct each section to those most likely to read it, and shift the level of technicality.

46. 46

    What is the second principle of organization?

    Emphasize beginnings and endings.

47. 47

    Where do busy readers expect to find information?

    The beginning of the entire document, the beginnings of report sections, and the beginnings of paragraphs.

48. 48

    What is the third principle of organization?

    Repeat key points.

49. 49

    How is the 'redundant approach' used in organization?

    Repeat important information in different sections for different readers and help readers find the answer to 'So what?'

50. 50

    What is the ABC format for documents?

    Abstract, Body, Conclusion.

51. 51

    What is the purpose of the Abstract in the ABC format?

    The 'Big Picture' for Decision-Makers.

52. 52

    What is the purpose of the Body in the ABC format?

    Details for All Readers.

53. 53

    What is the purpose of the Conclusion in the ABC format?

    Wrap-Up Leading to the Next Step.

54. 54

    What does the Abstract include?

    A brief overview of the document's main points, a clear purpose statement, the most important points for decision-makers, and a list or description of main sections.

55. 55

    What are common headings for an Abstract?

    Summary, Executive Summary, Introductory Summary, Overview, Introduction.

56. 56

    What does the Body include?

    Supporting information such as the background of the project, field/lab/office work, and details of conclusions/recommendations/proposals.

57. 57

    What are key elements for the Body of a document?

    Separate fact from opinion, adopt a format that reveals structure, use graphics, and use headings to identify topics.

58. 58

    What does the Conclusion do?

    Brings readers back to central points, provides closure, and leads to the next step in the writer's relationship.

59. 59

    What are common headings for a Conclusion?

    Conclusion, Closing, Closing Remarks, Conclusions and Recommendations.

60. 60

    What two formats can be used to drive home the message in a conclusion?

    Listings and Summary paragraphs.

61. 61

    What are the two main categories of Ethics on the Job?

    Ethical Guidelines for Work and Ethics and Legal Issues in Writing.

62. 62

    What are the six ethical guidelines for work?

    Be Honest, Do No Harm, Be Fair, Honor Intellectual Property Rights, Respect Confidentiality, and Be Professional.

63. 63

    How should one 'Be Honest' in ethical guidelines for work?

    Relate information accurately and on time, and convey the same information to others that you would want presented.

64. 64

    How should one 'Do No Harm' in ethical guidelines for work?

    Use positive words and actions, consider the impact of words and deeds on others, and make the working world a better place.

65. 65

    How should one 'Be Fair' in ethical guidelines for work?

    Treat others fairly regardless of differences (race, religion, disability, age, gender) and respect differences in culture.

66. 66

    How should one 'Honor Intellectual Property Rights' in ethical guidelines for work?

    Respect copyright, patent, and trademark laws, credit the work of others, and show appreciation to collaborators.

67. 67

    How should one 'Respect Confidentiality' in ethical guidelines for work?

    Remember you are acting on behalf of your employer and clients, and obtain written permission before sharing employer or client materials.

68. 68

    How should one 'Be Professional' in ethical guidelines for work?

    Represent your profession well, act honorably, meet deadlines, remain current on research/technology, and join a professional organization.

69. 69

    What are the key points for 'Ethics and Legal Issues in Writing'?

    Acknowledge sources, seek written permission before borrowing extensive text or graphics, and seek legal advice for complex questions.