Technical Writing Style: Page Design and Layout

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Questions and Answers

What is the recommended font size for technical writing?

9 (correct)

How should section headings be formatted in technical writing?

Sentence case, normal

Title case, italic

All capitals, underlined

All capitals, bold (correct)

What is the recommended line spacing for technical writing?

Single space

Triple space

Double space

1.5 or double space (correct)

How should the page number be placed in technical writing?

Top, center, or right Signup and view all the answers

What type of justification is recommended for technical writing?

Any of the above Signup and view all the answers

How should preliminary pages be numbered in technical writing?

With Roman lower case numerals Signup and view all the answers

What is the least preferred option for headings in technical writing?

Using all capital letters for all words Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using numbers and bullets in technical writing?

To present lists of items and summarize findings Signup and view all the answers

What is the most effective way to highlight text in technical writing?

Underlining, boldface, italic, or changing font size Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended font size and type for technical writing?

Times New Roman, font size 11 or 12 Signup and view all the answers

Why should color be used sparingly in technical writing?

Because it is expensive to print Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using a solid circle, diamond, or square as a bullet symbol?

To present lists of items and summarize findings Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of page design in technical writing?

To create clear, readable, and visually interesting documents Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended paper size for all text documents in technical writing?

A-4 Signup and view all the answers

What is the unit of measurement for paper weight in technical writing?

Grams per square meter Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using headings in page design?

To provide a clear structure to the document Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of using proper font selection in technical writing?

Increased readability Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Page Design

Page design is crucial for creating clear, readable, and visually interesting documents.

Paper

Use A-4 paper size for all text documents.
Ensure A-4 is selected in the 'Page Setup' and in the 'Printer Properties'.
Paper weight is measured in grams per square meter (GSM).

White Spaces

Margins: 2.54 cm from each side and from top and bottom.
Use 2 columns in technical papers.
Paragraph length: a page should contain more than one paragraph separated by line space.
Line spacing: single, 1.5, or double space.
Justification options: right, left, full, and center.
Page numbering: top and bottom (right, center, left).

Headings

Main heading or title: located in the upper center of the first page.
Section headings: capitals and bold, without an underline.
Subsections and subsubsections: upper case for the first letter in each main word, lower case for other letters, and in bold.
No underline is used.

Lists

Numbers and bullets are effective when presenting lists of items.
They can also be used to summarize findings, conclusions, or action items.
Select the bullet symbol carefully and conservatively, e.g., solid circles, diamonds, or squares.

In-Text Emphasis

The most effective highlighting techniques: underlining, boldface, italic, and change size.

Fonts

Font size: 9, 10, 12, 14, etc.
Font type: Times New Roman, Arial, etc.
For maximum effectiveness: avoid too many font variations, use 'Times New Roman' with a font size of 11 or 12 points, and avoid large font sizes for the body of the text.

Color

Use of color is a graphic design tool that reflects the image of your document.
Printing color is expensive and should be used only when cost-effective.

General Guidelines

The main factors affecting the appearance of the document are: page layout, margins, header, page numbering, reference font selection, font type, font size, text alignment, word spacing, indentation, paragraph spacing, and use of bullets.

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Description

Test your knowledge of technical writing style, including page design and layout principles. This quiz covers important aspects such as margins, columns, paragraph length, line spacing, and justification. Improve your technical writing skills and master the art of page design!