Deck 7: Organizing Your Information

Question 1

According to Chapter 7, long, complex arguments can most often be organized according to one pattern.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Using signposts such as above, below, or in the center can help readers follow passages written according to the spatial pattern of organization.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Which organizational pattern works best when readers want to get to key information as soon as possible?

Answer 3

not answered

Question 4

Chapter 7 gives three guidelines for organizing information spatially. One is to provide signposts. What are the other two?

Question 5

It is often helpful to use more than one basis of classification or partition simultaneously when using that pattern to write a passage.

Question 6

Your supervisor has asked you to write a report about a project you completed to improve the employee orientation program at your company. Of the organizational patterns discussed in Chapter 7, which would be most logical and effective for describing the project?

Question 7

Chapter 7 states that one disadvantage of the problem-methods-solution organizational pattern is that you cannot alter the sequence of those three elements.

Question 8

Chapter 7 notes that using headings liberally is one way to display the organization of your document prominently. What is another way?

Question 9

Classification is an organizational pattern in which a unit is divided into its components.

Question 10

In describing your company's product, you should not compare it with a competitor's product because the competitor will sue your company for misrepresentation.

Question 11

A proposal routinely makes use of which organizational pattern?

Question 12

Why do writers sometimes place less important information at the beginning of documents addressed to readers outside of their own organization?

Question 13

According to Chapter 7, what is partition?

Question 14

According to Chapter 7, what is classification?

Question 15

The general-to-specific pattern is effective for helping readers understand a subject before you give them the details.

Question 16

The first step in comparing and contrasting two or more items is to determine the criteria: the standards or needs you will use in studying the items.

Question 17

It is always unethical to compare your company's product with a similar product offered by another company when trying to argue that your own company's product is superior.

Question 18

Why are cause-and-effect relationships difficult to describe?

Question 19

According to Chapter 7, one benefit of using a conventional pattern to organize technical information is that the pattern serves as a template or checklist, helping you remember which information to include where. According to the chapter, what is one benefit for your readers?

Question 20

Chapter 7 explains that one challenge in using the cause-and-effect organizational pattern is that it is very difficult to prove a causal relationship between two factors.

Question 21

Of the options listed below, which is the most effective way to organize a document explaining which of three different trucks your company ought to buy for its fleet?

A) classification
B) comparison and contrast
C) spatial
D) chronological

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT a guideline for using the comparison-and-contrast pattern of organization?

A) Choose either the whole-by-whole or the part-by-part pattern or some combination of the two. Then order the second-level items.
B) Once you've ordered the second-level items, arrange them spatially.
C) Evaluate each item according to the criteria you have established.
D) Consider using graphics to complement the text.

Question 23

Which pattern of organization would be most helpful for organizing the work-experience section of your résumé?

A) spatial
B) chronological
C) partition
D) comparison and contrast

Question 24

Of the options below, which is the most effective way to explain the major changes and details of a new workplace policy for requesting vacation time?

A) cause and effect
B) classification
C) general to specific
D) comparison and contrast

Question 25

According to Chapter 7, where in your document should you put your main point if you expect that your audience will like what you have to say?

A) at the end of your document
B) after the middle of your document
C) near the middle of your document
D) early in the document

Question 26

Which factor should influence the organizational pattern you choose?

A) your readers' expectations
B) your document's length
C) the number of section headings in your document
D) All responses are correct.

Question 27

Which organizational pattern often occurs in a comparison-and-contrast discussion?

A) meter-by-meter
B) bit-by-bit
C) whole-by-whole
D) problem-methods-solution

Question 28

Your supervisor has asked you to write a brief description of an abandoned silver mine that is slated for hazardous-waste cleanup. Of the organizational patterns discussed in Chapter 7, which would be most logical and effective for describing the mine?

A) classification or partition
B) general to specific
C) problem-methods-solution
D) spatial

Question 29

According to Chapter 7, one benefit of using a conventional pattern to organize technical information is that the pattern serves as a template or checklist, helping you remember what information to include. What is the main benefit for your readers, according to the chapter?

A) It keeps readers from becoming bored.
B) It makes a positive impression on readers.
C) It helps readers associate new information with other information presented in the same pattern.
D) It helps readers find the information they want because they know where other writers have put similar information.

Question 30

Which of the organizational patterns below depends on relationships that can be difficult to prove?

A) cause and effect
B) comparison and contrast
C) general to specific
D) spatial

Question 31

Of the options listed below, which is the most effective way to organize a document describing the events that led to an Internet company's bankruptcy?

A) classification
B) comparison and contrast
C) problem-methods-solution
D) chronological

Question 32

The following two headings indicate which type of organizational pattern? Two Tasks You Must Complete Today
Other Tasks That Need Your Attention

A) more important to less important
B) general to specific
C) whole-by-whole comparison
D) problem-methods-solution

Question 33

You are writing a long, complex document in which you need to explain a series of events that led to a problem, evaluate several possible options for solving that problem, and present the most important factors to consider in making a decision. Which pattern of organization would be most effective?

A) comparison and contrast
B) cause and effect
C) chronological
D) a combination of several patterns

Question 34

You are writing a guide to help chemistry majors plan their class schedules. Which pattern of classification would be best for discussing the classes students must take?

A) difficult classes, slightly difficult classes, and easy classes
B) chemistry classes and other classes
C) morning classes, afternoon classes, and evening classes
D) general education classes, required chemistry classes, elective science classes, and general elective classes

Question 35

Which of the following can help you display your organizational pattern prominently?

A) topic sentences to begin paragraphs
B) frequent section headings
C) a detailed table of contents
D) All responses are correct.

Question 36

Which of the following is NOT a principle for using the problem-methods-solution pattern of organization?

A) Avoid overstating claims about your solution.
B) Always describe the methods last.
C) Describe your methods so that readers understand what you did and why.
D) Consider using graphics to complement your text.

Question 37

For a report on the nutritional value of fast food, a writer has decided to organize her information by assigning fast-food items to categories. Which of the following sets of categories is flawed?

A) under a dollar
$1)00-$2.00
$2)01-$4.00
Over $4.00
B) breakfast items
Lunch items
Dinner items
C) main dishes
Side dishes
Drinks
Desserts
D) high-fat items
High-cholesterol items
High-calorie items

Question 38

Of the options below, which is the most effective way to organize a discussion highlighting the most important events in your company's 31-year history?

A) partition
B) comparison and contrast
C) spatial
D) chronological

Question 39

In what situation do graphics benefit your reader?

A) when graphics contrast with the text
B) when graphics complement the text
C) when graphics subvert the text
D) when graphics supplant the text

Question 40

Of the options below, which is the most effective way to explain the operation of each major component of a piece of machinery?

A) partition
B) comparison and contrast
C) spatial
D) chronological