Technical Writing Diagnostic 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A technical writer receives feedback that a user guide is 'too dense.' Which revision would MOST improve scannability?
- Increase the font size to 14pt throughout
- Add white space, subheadings, and bullet points to break up text blocks (Correct answer)
- Remove all graphics to reduce page count
- Convert all headings to full sentences
Correct answer: Add white space, subheadings, and bullet points to break up text blocks
White space, subheadings, and lists create visual breaks that let readers scan and locate information quickly.
Question 2: Which of the following is the BEST example of an action-oriented heading in a user guide?
- Introduction
- System Requirements Information
- How to Install the Software (Correct answer)
- Chapter 3
Correct answer: How to Install the Software
Action-oriented headings like 'How to Install the Software' tell users exactly what they will accomplish in that section.
Question 3: What is the role of a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in technical writing?
- To proofread final documents for grammar errors
- To provide accurate technical information and review content for correctness (Correct answer)
- To design page layouts and choose fonts
- To manage the document publication schedule
Correct answer: To provide accurate technical information and review content for correctness
SMEs supply the domain knowledge technical writers translate into user-friendly content, and they validate accuracy during reviews.
Question 4: Which type of graphic is MOST effective for showing the relationship between parts of a system?
- A bar chart
- A block diagram or flowchart (Correct answer)
- A pie chart
- A scatter plot
Correct answer: A block diagram or flowchart
Block diagrams and flowcharts visually map components and their connections, making system relationships clear.
Question 5: A document undergoes a 'peer review.' What is the PRIMARY goal of this review type?
- To check page formatting and layout
- To have colleagues evaluate content accuracy, completeness, and clarity (Correct answer)
- To obtain legal sign-off on the document
- To verify that the document meets word count targets
Correct answer: To have colleagues evaluate content accuracy, completeness, and clarity
Peer reviews leverage colleagues' expertise to catch technical inaccuracies, gaps, and unclear explanations before publication.
Question 6: Which principle of information design suggests that related items should be placed near each other on a page?
- Contrast
- Repetition
- Proximity (Correct answer)
- Alignment
Correct answer: Proximity
The proximity principle (from CRAP design principles) states that related elements grouped together are perceived as connected.
Question 7: When writing release notes, which information should ALWAYS be included?
- The company's founding history
- A list of new features, bug fixes, and known issues for the release version (Correct answer)
- A full reprint of the previous version's release notes
- Marketing language describing product benefits
Correct answer: A list of new features, bug fixes, and known issues for the release version
Release notes must document changes (new features, fixes, issues) tied to a specific version so users understand what changed.
Technical Writing Diagnostic 5
A technical writer receives feedback that a user guide is 'too dense.' Which revision would MOST improve scannability?