Collaboration & Feedback
Give one reason Tebeaux & Dragga say collaborative writing is common in workplaces.
It combines expertise and improves accuracy.
Zinsser urges writers to "rewrite and rewrite."
Good writing comes from careful revision and tightening.
Give one hallmark of professional tone in technical writing.
Respectful, neutral, and solution-oriented language.
Find the subject-verb error: "The group of engineers is meeting."
“Group” is singular; it should read “is meeting.”
What is one ethical risk when summarizing data?
Distorting results through selective presentation.
Name one challenge that teams face when co-authoring documents.
Coordinating schedules or keeping a consistent style.
What does Zinsser advise about a writer's “voice"?
Let your natural voice come through
Why should emotional language be avoided in workplace documents?
It can appear biased or unprofessional and distract from the facts.
Differentiate “its” and “it’s.”
“Its” is possessive; “it’s” means “it is” or “it has.”
Why is citing sources critical in technical documents?
It gives credit and allows readers to verify information.
Why is early peer feedback valuable during drafting?
It identifies problems before major writing, saving time and resources.
What trap does Zinsser warn against when trying to sound professional?
Inflated or pompous language that obscures meaning.
How can a writer stay professional when delivering bad news?
Be direct yet tactful and emphasize next steps or solutions.
Give an example of a misplaced modifier and correct it.
"Running quickly, the finish line was crossed." → "Running quickly, she crossed the finish line."
What ethical guideline does Zinsser imply when warning against jargon?
Writers must respect readers by making meaning accessible.
Give one tool or practice that supports smooth team writing.
Shared cloud platform, version control system, or agreed style guide.
Why does Zinsser call clutter "the disease of American writing"?
It hides the message and wastes readers' time.
Why is consistency in formatting part of professionalism?
It shows attention to detail and builds reader trust.
Why can passive voice weaken technical writing?
It can hide responsibility and make sentences less direct.
Give an example of something legal that may still be unethical in professional communication.
Presenting accurate data but in a misleading context, such as manipulating a graph's scale.
How can a team settle disagreements over content?
Establish clear roles, document decisions, and compromise based on audience needs.
What is Zinsser's key to finding one's personal style?
Write honestly and edit ruthlessly until the prose matches your authentic voice.
Why do Tebeaux & Dragga caution against sarcasm or humor in professional writing?
It risks misinterpretation and damages credibility.
When is passive voice acceptable in technical communication?
When the actor is unknown or unimportant, e.g., “The sample was tested.”
Tebeaux and Dragga highlight two core ethical principles: name them.
Honesty and respect for the reader.