Technical Writing Style and Tone 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which voice is preferred in most US technical writing?
- Active voice (Correct answer)
- Passive voice
- Subjunctive voice
- Imperative voice
Correct answer: Active voice
Active voice makes technical writing clearer and more direct by putting the subject first.
Question 2: What reading level is typically recommended for US technical documentation aimed at general audiences?
- 6th–8th grade (Correct answer)
- 10th–12th grade
- College level
- Graduate level
Correct answer: 6th–8th grade
A 6th–8th grade reading level ensures broad accessibility in technical documents.
Question 3: Which pronoun is now widely accepted in US technical writing for gender-neutral references?
- They/them (Correct answer)
- He/him
- She/her
- One
Correct answer: They/them
Singular 'they' is endorsed by major US style guides including the Chicago Manual of Style for gender-neutral writing.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of using parallel structure in technical writing?
- Consistency and readability (Correct answer)
- Adding variety
- Emphasizing emotion
- Increasing word count
Correct answer: Consistency and readability
Parallel structure ensures grammatical consistency across lists and headings, improving readability.
Question 5: Which writing style guideline does the US federal plain language standard emphasize?
- Use common, everyday words (Correct answer)
- Use technical jargon freely
- Write long complex sentences
- Prefer passive constructions
Correct answer: Use common, everyday words
The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal documents to use clear, common language.
Question 6: When should a technical writer use second-person 'you' in documentation?
- Procedural instructions addressing the user (Correct answer)
- Academic papers
- Legal contracts
- Executive summaries
Correct answer: Procedural instructions addressing the user
Second-person 'you' is appropriate in procedures to directly address the reader performing steps.
Technical Writing Style and Tone 1
Which voice is preferred in most US technical writing?