Written Communication Accuracy Flashcards

Which sentence avoids the use of jargon and is most suitable for a report read by the public?

Answer: Dispatch confirmed the message after an all-points bulletin was issued.

Option B uses plain language that a general audience can understand, replacing radio codes and acronyms with clear terms.

Select the sentence with correct parallel structure.

Answer: The officer interviewed witnesses, collected evidence, and wrote a report.

All three verbs in option B ('interviewed,' 'collected,' 'wrote') are in the simple past tense, maintaining parallel structure.

Which sentence correctly uses a colon?

Answer: The suspect had three priors: assault, theft, and fraud.

A colon correctly introduces a list after a complete independent clause; the clause before the colon must be complete on its own.

Identify the correctly spelled word used in law enforcement contexts.

Answer: Surveillance

'Surveillance' is the correct spelling, derived from the French 'surveiller,' meaning to watch over.

Which sentence is written in the most objective tone for an official report?

Answer: The accused struck the complainant once on the left forearm with a closed fist.

Option C uses factual, neutral language describing the action precisely without prejudicial or emotional adjectives.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses 'affect' or 'effect.'

Answer: The new policy will affect the way reports are written.

'Affect' is used as a verb meaning to influence, which is the correct usage in option C.

Which revision best corrects this wordy sentence? 'Due to the fact that it was raining, the officer was not able to see clearly.'

Answer: Due to rain, the officer was unable to see clearly.

'Due to rain' replaces the wordy phrase 'due to the fact that it was raining,' making the sentence concise.