Technical Writing (BSc CSIT, CSC368): the questions likely to come
43 analyzed questions from 8 past papers (2074-2082), grouped by syllabus unit — each with its probability, how often it's been asked, and where to study the answer.
Explain the elements of a good instruction manual.
Elements of a Good Instruction Manual
A good instruction manual guides a user to perform tasks correctly and safely. Its essential elements are:
- Title and introduction – the product/task name and a brief overview of the manual's purpose and scope.
- Table of contents – for easy navigation (in longer manuals).
- Intended audience and prerequisites – who the manual is for and any required knowledge, tools or materials.
- List of equipment / materials needed – everything the user must have before starting.
- Safety information (warnings, cautions, notes) – clearly highlighted hazards placed before the relevant step.
- Step-by-step instructions – numbered, sequential steps written in the imperative mood, one action per step.
- Visual aids – diagrams, screenshots and callouts that support the steps.
- Definitions / glossary – explanations of technical terms.
- Troubleshooting section / FAQ – common problems and solutions.
- Reference / support information – specifications, index, warranty and contact details.
Qualities of good instructions: clear and concise language, correct sequence, consistent terminology, accuracy, completeness, and a tested, user-friendly layout.
Conclusion: A good instruction manual combines clear organization, complete and accurate step-by-step content, safety information and visual support, all written for the user's level.
Technical Reports and Documents
Explain the elements of a good instruction manual.
What is a recommendation report and how does it differ from a proposal? Your IT consulting firm has been asked by a client to evaluate three different cloud storage solutions (Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive) and recommend the best option for their 50-employee business. Write a recommendation report that includes problem statement, evaluation criteria, detailed analysis of each option, and your recommendation with proper justification.
What is a proposal? Explain the contents and types of a proposal with the structure of a formal proposal.
Explain the structure and components of a formal technical report. Describe the front matter, body and back matter.
What is a news release? Explain its structure.
What is an informative brief? Explain with an example.
Differentiate between formal and informal reports.
What is a progress report? Mention its purpose.
What is a feasibility report?
What is an abstract? Differentiate between descriptive and informative abstracts.
Sit a probable paper
A full mock exam built from the most likely questions, mirroring the real paper's structure. Every slot is a real past question.
Most Probable Paper
Mirrors the real structure · 60 marks · based on 8 past papers
- 1.[10 marks]
Define technical writing. Explain its characteristics and how it differs from other forms of writing with examples.
This question has recurred in 4 of 8 years; so far only in internal assessments, not the board; and its topic (Introduction to Technical Writing) appears in 88% of years.
- 2.[10 marks]
What is a proposal? Explain the contents and types of a proposal with the structure of a formal proposal.
This question has recurred in 2 of 8 years; so far only in internal assessments, not the board; and its topic (Technical Reports and Documents) appears in 100% of years.
- 3.[10 marks]
Explain the structure and components of a formal technical report. Describe the front matter, body and back matter.
This question has recurred in 2 of 8 years; so far only in internal assessments, not the board; and its topic (Technical Reports and Documents) appears in 100% of years.
- 1.[5 marks]
Explain the elements of a good instruction manual.
This question has recurred in 4 of 8 years; so far only in internal assessments, not the board; and its topic (Technical Reports and Documents) appears in 100% of years.
- 2.[5 marks]
What is a news release? Explain its structure.
This question has recurred in 4 of 8 years; so far only in internal assessments, not the board; and its topic (Technical Reports and Documents) appears in 100% of years.
- 3.[5 marks]
What is an informative brief? Explain with an example.
This question has recurred in 4 of 8 years; so far only in internal assessments, not the board; and its topic (Technical Reports and Documents) appears in 100% of years.
- 4.[5 marks]
Differentiate between formal and informal reports.
This question has recurred in 4 of 8 years; so far only in internal assessments, not the board; and its topic (Technical Reports and Documents) appears in 100% of years.
- 5.[5 marks]
Differentiate between technical writing and creative writing.
This question has recurred in 4 of 8 years; so far only in internal assessments, not the board; and its topic (Introduction to Technical Writing) appears in 88% of years.
- 6.[5 marks]
Explain the importance of revising and editing in technical writing.
This question has recurred in 4 of 8 years; so far only in internal assessments, not the board; and its topic (Introduction to Technical Writing) appears in 88% of years.
- 7.[5 marks]
Explain the seven Cs of effective communication.
This question has recurred in 4 of 8 years; so far only in internal assessments, not the board; and its topic (Technical Communication and Style) appears in 88% of years.
- 8.[5 marks]
Explain the term 'jargon' and its use in technical writing.
This question has recurred in 4 of 8 years; so far only in internal assessments, not the board; and its topic (Technical Communication and Style) appears in 88% of years.
- 9.[5 marks]
What is a memorandum? Explain its format.
This question has recurred in 4 of 8 years; so far only in internal assessments, not the board; and its topic (Professional Communication and Presentation) appears in 100% of years.
Behind the numbers
The raw evidence the predictions are computed from: marks per unit per year, syllabus weights, trends, and coverage.
Show the heatmap, topic table and coverage analysis
The receipt: marks per unit, per year
Each row is a syllabus unit, each column an exam year, each cell the marks that unit earned that year. Click any cell to see the actual questions behind it.
| # | Syllabus unit | Probability | Appeared | Avg marks | Syllabus weight | Exam vs syllabus | Trend | Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | U3Technical Reports and Documents | Very likely100% | 23.1 | 22%10 lecture hrs | Over-examinedexam 30% · syllabus 22% | Steady | 9 recurring10 total | |
| 2 | U1Introduction to Technical Writing | Very likely88% | 22.1 | 13%6 lecture hrs | Over-examinedexam 25% · syllabus 13% | Steady | 5 recurring11 total | |
| 3 | U2Technical Communication and Style | Very likely88% | 21.4 | 18%8 lecture hrs | Over-examinedexam 24% · syllabus 18% | Steady | 8 recurring9 total | |
| 4 | U6Professional Communication and Presentation | Very likely100% | 10 | 11%5 lecture hrs | Balancedexam 13% · syllabus 11% | Steady | 4 recurring6 total | |
| 5 | U4Information Design and Development | Occasional25% | 20 | 18%8 lecture hrs | Under-examinedexam 6% · syllabus 18% | Rising | none repeat6 total | |
| 6 | U5Research Writing and Documentation | Occasional25% | 5 | 18%8 lecture hrs | Under-examinedexam 2% · syllabus 18% | Fading | 1 recurring1 total |
Study smart, not hard
Drag the slider: studying the top 4 units in priority order covers ~92% of all observed marks.
- ~80% line
Lecture time vs exam marks
Where the exam pays more than the curriculum spends: ● lectures vs ● exam marks, as a share of the whole course. A long teal-leading bar = high-yield unit.