RESOURCES:

The Handbook of Technical and Scientific Writing
Professional & Technical Writing
Technical Writing Aid
Wikiversity's Technical Writing Courses 1 & 2

DSST Technical Fact Sheet - includes outline, test description, and sample questions.


Exam Outline:

I. Theory and practice of Technical Writing - 10%
A. Establishing goals
B. Analyzing the audience
C. Ensuring the validity of data and sources II. Purpose, content, and organizational patterns of common types of technical documents - 31%
A. Reports
1. Progress/inspection reports
2. Feasibility reports
3. Research/laboratory reports B. Correspondence
1. Memos
2. Letters
3. Resumes C. Manuals
1. Instructions
2. Procedures
3. Process descriptions D. Proposals III. Elements of various technical reports - 31%
A. Titles
B. Summaries/Abstracts
C. Headings
D. Definitions
E. Conclusions
F. Recommendations
G. Graphics
H. Report supplements (glossary, footnotes, appendices, indices)
I. Page design IV. Technical editing - 28%
A. Clarity
B. Completeness
C. Accessibility
D. Conciseness
E. Correctness
F. Sequence
G. Unity
H. Tone
PROJECT IDEAS:

Complete at least two projects from any of the suggestions found on these sites:
HelpScribe - technical writing assignements
Technical Writing exercises

Use a word processor to complete the projects and print the final drafts to be kept in your study journal.


Recommended Course of Study:

Use the exam outline to create subsections in your study journal. Read the Handbook, making notes in the appropriate sections of your journal. Refer to the other sites for additional reference. Complete the project ideas for practice.

There are no free practice DSST exams for this subject currently available. You can take a practice test for a fee of $5, AT THIS WEBSITE before taking the actual exam if you feel you need. (This could also be used as a final exam if a grade is needed for this course.)




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