Written Communication Pre-Test

Your answers to the following questions will not be assigned a grade or point value, and will not impact your standing in Written Communication. However, the compiled results will be used to help focus the teaching and learning process for this class.

Please circle what you consider to be the best answer for each of the following questions.

1. When employing a WRITING PROCESS to compose a longer, formal essay or report, a student writer should begin by: (select one)

When employing a WRITING PROCESS to compose a longer, formal essay or report, a student writer should begin by: (select one) Selecting an appropriate title that suggests the thesis of the paper.

Developing an effective introduction that clearly establishes background and subject

Collecting raw material or notes appropriate for the topic or assignment

Developing an effective introduction of the topic and thesis

Ensuring title and heading information is provided as required by the instructor

2. The THESIS of an essay or report may be defined as: (select one)

The THESIS of an essay or report may be defined as: (select one) An attention-getter that draws the reader into the specific subject of the document

The complete subject that will be the focus of the entire document

All the definitions that apply to terms in the document

The specific subject and the author’s main point about that subject

The background the reader will need to appreciate the subject of the document

3. The term CONNOTATIONS refers to: (select one)

The term CONNOTATIONS refers to: (select one) The degree to which words are specific in naming things in a piece of writing

The use of vague or unclear, inappropriate language in a piece of writing

The use of vulgar or offensive words

The emotional associations a reader may have for a word (or words) in a piece of writing

How easy it is for a reader to make connections between the ideas in a piece of writing

4. In formal writing, the term ARGUMENT should be thought of as: (select one)

In formal writing, the term ARGUMENT should be thought of as: (select one) The degree to which a writer arouses the negative emotions of the reader

A kind of debate that represents both sides of an issue more or less equally

A heated or angry tone of voice used to sway readers to the writer’s viewpoint

The presentation of facts and other forms of evidence to support an opinion

An inappropriate tone to use in any formal report or document

5. An OBJECTIVE point of view in an essay or report refers to: (select one)

An OBJECTIVE point of view in an essay or report refers to: (select one) The use of language that reveals the writer’s goal or intent for the document

The use of language that clearly reveals the writer’s feelings toward his/her subject

The use of language that emphasizes things (nouns) as opposed to actions (verbs)

The use of language that focuses on accuracy and withholds the writer’s feelings or opinions

The use of language that reveals how a writer disagrees with another’s opinion

6. An effective CONCLUSION to an essay or report will: (select one)

An effective CONCLUSION to an essay or report will: (select one) Surprise the reader with new information worth considering

Provide sufficient support and explanation for the writer’s final point

Restate or remind the reader of the main point of the writing

Offer suggestions for further reading or internet sources worth consulting

Present the last moments or events of a story

7. FIGURATIVE language refers to: (select one)

FIGURATIVE language refers to: (select one) An author’s use of facts and data to establish his/her position as valid

Language that is logically sound and makes good sense

Implied or direct comparisons to similar subjects or ideas

Implied or direct comparisons to mostly dissimilar things

Language that is sound, logical, and basically “means what it says”

8. TONE OF VOICE in a piece of writing refers to: (select one)

TONE OF VOICE in a piece of writing refers to: (select one) Language that should be avoided so readers are not offended

The use of accurate statements as they were spoken by sources

Language that reveals a writer’s attitude toward his/her subject

Language that imitates the way people actually speak

Language that shows anger or disgust

9. When material in an essay or report is accurately CITED: (select one)

When material in an essay or report is accurately CITED: (select one) It is isolated from all other ideas for careful examination

It is positioned in proper relationship to other ideas

It is found or discovered by the writer alone

It is clearly credited to a source used by the author

10. When a student has committed PLAGIARISM, what has she done? (select one)

When a student has committed PLAGIARISM, what has she done? (select one) She has committed plagiarism when her works cited page does not follow the correct MLA format.

She has committed plagiarism when she represents someone else’s work, ideas, or statements as her own.

She has committed plagiarism when she has a friend edit her paper.

She has committed plagiarism when the sources that she cites are outdated.

She has committed plagiarism when she uses only one type of source, like the Internet, to support her ideas.

11. Which of the following sentences should be amended during an editing process to reflect standard punctuation practices? (select one)

Which of the following sentences should be amended during an editing process to reflect standard punctuation practices? (select one) Jane likes to play video games and sometimes even wins.

Jane likes to play video games, but Jim likes to swim at the lake.

When Jane plays video games, Jim usually goes for a swim.

Jim likes to swim because he thinks it’s good exercise.

Jane likes to play video games; however, she rarely wins.

All of the above

None of the above