BCOM Ch. 5: Creating Effective Business Messages

When writing an effective business message, being flexible can involve which of the following?

-being open to alternative ways to address an issue -listening to the ideas of others

Readers interpret the tone of a business message primarily as a reflection of the writer's attitude toward which two of the following?

-the message content -the readers of the message

The AIM process includes which of the following steps?

1. audience analysis 2. information gathering 3. message development

typically occur in developing sound business ideas.

1. identification of questions and problems 2. research to gather information 3. making conclusions or finding solutions

For an effective frame, the primary business message should be approximately ______ words in length.

10-15

Which of the following are the effects of a positive workplace attitude?

It enhances creativity. It provides motivation. It improves work performance.

The framing of the primary business message is important for which of the following reasons?

It gives focus to an important argument. It emphasizes the message's premises. It highlights support for the message's key ideas.

Which of the following are accurate descriptions of the meta message of a business communication?

It is the overall message conveyed by the communication. It is conveyed as a combination of content and tone.

What is the most likely impact of slanting facts?

It reduces the credibility of a business message.

Which of the following statements about workplace priorities is not true?

Priorities are more constant than values.

Productivity at the Wisconsin branch of Big Box Manufacturing has decreased significantly over the last twelve months. Aaron, the branch manager, researches the problem and finds that many employees are spending significant time on social media while at work. He wants to construct a report for the company's leadership team, using the deductive approach. How should Aaron structure the report?

State the primary message, give the call to action, and lay out the supporting reasons.

Which of the following are characteristics of effective and compelling business message frames?

They are memorable. They use rational and emotional appeal.

Which of the following are characteristics held by outstanding business thinkers?

They can solve complex problems. They have the ability to state important questions.

Using an outline or diagram to form the logic of a business message typically leads to which two results?

Thinking about the issues becomes tighter. Issues can be written about more effectively.

To break out of the reputation of an inexperienced newcomer, you should

ask your boss for ideas about improving your professional reputation.

Using diplomatic language is important because it

avoids implying an adversarial relationship.

The professional reputation of entry-level business people can be improved relatively quickly through which of the following?

being conscious of strengths and weaknesses offering something of value to the work environment

Writing effective messages in business helps

boost productivity. drive collaboration.

Business messages usually conclude with a

call to action.

An audience's assessment of a business communication message is largely based on the author's

credibility.

Most business messages are crafted using a(n) ______ approach.

deductive

Which of the following are aspects of setting up the logic of a business message?

defining a call to action identifying supporting points arranging message logic

True or false: The use of templates is required for creating business messages.

false

Which of the following are part of planning the basic message structure?

finding and framing the primary message arranging the logic of the primary message

Setting up the logic of the message consists of

identifying supporting points in the message. identifying the call to action.

When writing a business message, a key component of credibility comes from demonstrating

interest in others.

Your goal in framing a business message is to

make it compelling while using rational and emotional appeal.

Which step is most likely to be included in the writing stage of developing an effective business message?

making the message clear and concise

The frame of a primary business message should be which of the following?

memorable short

Entry-level business professionals have low credibility primarily because they are

newcomers.

Business-message readers generally have a better reaction to an author who is seen as

open to a variety of options and ideas.

In business communications, which of the following generally enhances the writer's beneficial influence over others?

optimism

AIM is a process for ______ the writing of useful business messages.

planning

Which of the following are parts of the process of crafting effective business messages?

planning, writing, and reviewing

Which step is typically included in the reviewing stage of developing an effective business message?

proofreading the message

Understanding the constraints of the audience of a business message means that the message should be crafted to

provide value to the audience.

In effective business messages, any analogies should be rooted in

similiarities

Which of the following are helpful ways of organizing the logic of a business message?

sketching out the logic diagramming the logic

When writing a business message with an indirect approach, which of the following are presented first?

supporting reasons

The priorities of a message's targeted audience

tend to shift more often than values.

For many business messages, the most important step in the planning stage of business communication writing is identifying

the benefits to be gained by the reader.

In a deductive business argument, the essence of the message can be gleaned from which three of the following?

the last paragraph the first paragraph the first sentences of supporting paragraphs

When the tone of a business message is ______, there is an implied interest in the opinions and needs of the audience.

welcoming

Templates are used to create a business message for which of the following reasons?

to define its structure to organize its appearance

An indirect approach is often used for which of the following types of business messages?

to give negative news

Lizzo perceives that the writer respects the reader and feels concern about the content of the message. Lizzo's perception relates to the writer's

tone

True or false: Business messages can be strengthened to counteract issues concerning low credibility.

true

When business thinkers are mentally flexible, they possess the ability to

understand contrasting views.

Which suggestion should be followed to build a well-reasoned business position?

use strong analogies

In the context of business messages, workplace ______ are the core beliefs about suitable ways of handling issues and problems.

values

Framing the primary message involves presenting the message

within an overall theme.

Crystal believes that outsourcing the bookkeeping needs of her firm would save money. She researches various companies and runs the numbers for various scenarios to gather evidence of the potential savings that would result from using outside bookkeepers. Which of the following best defines Crystal's message structure?

Crystal is identifying causes and effects

The underlying, overall message that people get from a business communication is called the message of the communication.

META

Which of the following statements about the framework of a deductive business message are accurate?

The concluding paragraph has a call to action. It should be possible to scan the message to readily understand its main ideas. There are supporting paragraphs for each key point.

In terms of tone, which two of the following do readers respond to most positively?

The projection of positivity Concern for others

When framing the primary message, authors of a business message should complete which of the following?

define the primary message compose a brief, vivid message statement

Which of the following are identified to help create solid business ideas?

determining the business issues and objectives gathering relevant information and facts making sense out of often complex and confusing pieces of information

Strong analogies are important to the writing of business messages because they

reinforce arguments

The deductive approach is also known as the ________ approach.

direct

To form a business message with confident claims and predictions, you should do which of the following?

choose your language carefully be careful in your reasoning