DSST Technical writing: writing differences

[dpeppard]

I am taking the DSST Technical Writing exam in about eight days. I have researched a ton of information from this site, and purchased the book Handbook of Technical Writing, Ninth Edition, by Alred, Brusaw, and Oliu. I sincerely appreciate all the feedback people have posted here to help others be as prepared as possible.

One item I see coming up frequently for the DSST Technical Writing exam is:

Know the difference between writing to inform, writing to instruct, writing to document, and writing to persuade. I have searched around both here and in my book, but I cannot find a clear understanding of these differences. Can someone direct me to where I can find a good definition of each so I can understand the differences, or post the differences here please?

Maybe I am over-thinking these differences but I want to be as prepared as possible. This is my first DSST test ever, so I am a little apprehensive. Only nine credits to test out of total before my B.S. in Management is complete.

Thank you in advance for your time.

[MISin08]

writing to inform, writing to instruct, writing to document, and writing to persuade.

Google searches on all these phrases turned up eligible hits, mostly directed at middle schoolers. It may not be a whole lot more complex than that. Anyone with exam experience want to chime in?

"Writing to document" was a little dicey, because Google thinks I mean "writing a document".

Phillip

[cookderosa]

I am taking the DSST Technical Writing exam in about eight days. I have researched a ton of information from this site, and purchased the book Handbook of Technical Writing, Ninth Edition, by Alred, Brusaw, and Oliu. I sincerely appreciate all the feedback people have posted here to help others be as prepared as possible.

One item I see coming up frequently for the DSST Technical Writing exam is:

Know the difference between writing to inform, writing to instruct, writing to document, and writing to persuade. I have searched around both here and in my book, but I cannot find a clear understanding of these differences. Can someone direct me to where I can find a good definition of each so I can understand the differences, or post the differences here please?

Maybe I am over-thinking these differences but I want to be as prepared as possible. This is my first DSST test ever, so I am a little apprehensive. Only nine credits to test out of total before my B.S. in Management is complete.

Thank you in advance for your time.

>>

Nothing comes to mind as far as sources, however I hope this helps.

Writing to inform: consider this like an encyclopedia or dictionary. No emotion, no opinion. The intent is only to give facts, not a bias in any way. Example: The grass is green. Another example is a company memo "we will be closed on July 4th" or "the new company dress code requires you to wear a tie."

Writing to instruct: this is like the leaflet of instructions that come in a box of unassembled furniture. Written often in steps and sometimes with diagrams. Another example is a recipe. In instructional writing, you are walking the person through the process to do something.

Writing to persuade: this is where you have an opinion, and your opinion is that you want to convince your reader of something. In business, this is called marketing. In religion, this would be writing a sermon. Another example that is a little less obvious would be the surgeon general writing an anti-smoking flyer. So, don't misunderstand this to mean that the arguments are OPINION because they can be facts. But the writer is using facts to convince (persuade) you of something.

Writing to document: This is when you write something down that becomes part of a file or record. For example, the nurse documents when she gave the patient his pills. A police officer takes statements from the witness and writes a report of what they said. Also, a supervisor may document an employee's misconduct. May or may not be considered a legal record depending on the situation.

[elizabethadavis]

I just took this test about a month ago. It was my first DSST as well. (a new testing center too.) So I was nervous but was pretty easy for me and a made 61.

What I think your asking about is the purpose of a document:

*writing to pursuade -write a proposal (look under persuasion)
*writing to instruct - a manuel for a product (ie a printer)
*writing to inform - progress and activity reports
*writing to document - trouble or trip reports

Look up report in your book and read about each one. They'll probally ask something like which document is written with the purpose to persuade or something like that. I took the fact sheet from the DSST website and looked up any thing that I could find in the book. They also have a practice test (cost $5). It helped me know I was ready. They tell you what you got wrong but not the right answer. I just looked up other choices to figure it out. I really recommened the practice test since it is your first DSST. The sceen and way it is given is like the real test. It helped me to calm down some. Hope this helps, Elizabeth

[dpeppard]

Thank you all for the insight and feedback. It is much appreciated. cheersmate

[dpeppard]

I took the fact sheet from the DSST website and looked up any thing that I could find in the book. They also have a practice test (cost $5). It helped me know I was ready. They tell you what you got wrong but not the right answer. I just looked up other choices to figure it out. I really recommened the practice test since it is your first DSST. The sceen and way it is given is like the real test. It helped me to calm down some. Hope this helps, Elizabeth

Thank you for this info. I know it is a little off-topic, but you really feel the DSST Technical Writing practice test was worth it? The only reason I ask is, even though I am a proponent of gathering information and taking any practice tests I can, I have read several threads on this forum stating the practice test for the DSST Technical Writing was not worth taking. That the practice test didn't even relate to the real test and if people would have known, they would not have spent the $5 for the practice test.

Just wanting to clarify before I drop $5.

[Ruddigore]

Thank you for this info. I know it is a little off-topic, but you really feel the DSST Technical Writing practice test was worth it? The only reason I ask is, even though I am a proponent of gathering information and taking any practice tests I can, I have read several threads on this forum stating the practice test for the DSST Technical Writing was not worth taking. That the practice test didn't even relate to the real test and if people would have known, they would not have spent the $5 for the practice test.

I didn't take the practice exam and still managed to pass with a 67. The specific exam feedback is better than any practice exam - in this case at least. Just study what everyone has recommended there and you'll be fine. That's all I did!

Also, watch out for "gotcha" grammar questions where they'll slip in a tiny difference between two choices where you have to figure out which one is wrong. Make sure all the subject and verbs agree. Really, if you understand general grammar and read EVERY choice very closely, these questions should be freebies.

Hope it goes great!
R.

[dpeppard]

I didn't take the practice exam and still managed to pass with a 67. The specific exam feedback is better than any practice exam - in this case at least. Just study what everyone has recommended there and you'll be fine. That's all I did!

Also, watch out for "gotcha" grammar questions where they'll slip in a tiny difference between two choices where you have to figure out which one is wrong. Make sure all the subject and verbs agree. Really, if you understand general grammar and read EVERY choice very closely, these questions should be freebies.

Hope it goes great!
R.

Thanks Ruddigore.

I am just apprehensive since this is my first DSST test. After this I still have DSST Ethics in America and DSST Introduction to World Religion. I just want to be as prepared as possible. Once these three tests are complete, my degree is complete.

Thanks again to you and everyone here at IC.

[cookderosa]

Thanks Ruddigore.

I am just apprehensive since this is my first DSST test. After this I still have DSST Ethics in America and DSST Introduction to World Religion. I just want to be as prepared as possible. Once these three tests are complete, my degree is complete.

Thanks again to you and everyone here at IC.

>>

You won't find any big differences between a DSST and a CLEP, especially if you do the computer version. Well, maybe except that the computer version DSSTs are much more attractive. CLEP is awful to look at IMO.

Seriously though, religion and ethics will require lots of study- this one not so much.

[elizabethadavis]

I supose it depends on you. To me the practice test was worth $5. I would have done fine without it. In my family $5 isn't worth that much and my Dad will more than happily pay that, to help me feel more confident. I do think it stinks that they don't tell you the right answer. I was happy that I took it for my first DSST because everything was practically the same. (the tutoral, the mark for review, the screen) It was a good predictor as well, 60% and 61 on the real deal.(I'm not big on writing, I wanted to know I was ready. How else would I know?) I am a perfectionist. I worry about failing every test and I've never failed one yet. (Now I have 66 credits all from testing.)It was worth the five dollars for the confidence it gave me. Elizabeth