Chapter 04: Aplia Assignment

Time is money in any business environment. To be successful in the business world, you must be able to create concise and easy-to-read messages. As you revise, eliminate flabby expressions, long lead-ins, fillers, redundancies, and empty words. Your audience will appreciate your brevity. Which of the following sentences contain flabby expressions? Check all that apply. Jorge can give you access to the beta version. He seldom returns text messages. In the event that Marie calls, please inform her that we will be proceeding along the normal course of events. Alessia will probably be promoted. Feel free to help yourself to the delectable desserts in the break room until such time as they are all consumed.

In the event that Marie calls, please inform her that we will be proceeding along the normal course of events. Feel free to help yourself to the delectable desserts in the break room until such time as they are all consumed.

Business writers appreciate messages that are clear and understandable. Proofreading and evaluating your work will help you compose messages that are clear, concise, and direct. Revise for clarity by eliminating trite phrases, avoiding jargon and slang, and dropping cliché́s. What can you do to express, not impress?

Keep it short and simple.

This is to inform you that I will be leaving work early today.

Long lead-in

Choose the best revision of this unclear message. Managers should be a ubiquitous presence in case they are needed.

Managers should be available when needed.

After you compose your message, you need to proofread. The proofreading process may take longer than the composition process. You don't want to spend a lot of time composing the message and then let poor grammar or punctuation prevent your audience from comprehending it. What proofreading techniques should you use for both routine and complex documents? Check all that apply.

Print a copy of the document. Check for typos, misspellings, and grammatical errors.

Identify the error or style problem in the following sentences. If anyone wants to come to my office to see my new computer let me know.

Punctuation

Choose the best revision of this unclear message. The Johnson folder is code red and must be handled offline and across cross-functional departments in the accounting section of this firm.

The Johnson folder contains confidential information. It should be seen only by the accounting department.

Choose the best revision of this unclear message. The faculty has unanimously and strongly decided to go forward with the discussed initiative in order to better serve the distinguished and important school board members of the community.

The faculty agrees with the school board and accepts the proposed initiative.

Read the following selection, and answer the question. They were totally excited to be getting a new system. It would allow them to conduct a remote discussion of the budget with the group. The team reached an agreement that this was absolutely going to create an increase in productivity. Which of the following is the most direct and professional revision of the second sentence?

The new conference system would allow them to discuss the budget remotely with colleagues in Chicago.

_ will determine _

The strategic planning committee our organization's direction

I am sending you this letter to let you know that the team is ready for its next assignment. I am writing this letter because I need to let you know that the team is ready for its next assignment. This is to inform you that the team is ready for its next assignment. The team is ready for its next assignment.

The team is ready for its next assignment.

Overuse of intensifiers sounds unprofessional. Which one of the following sentences best controls exuberance?

The team was disappointed that the proposal was rejected.

Why do some people fail to write clear and concise messages?

They write to impress instead of express.

Read the following selection, and identify any errors. Proofreading is an important phase of the writing process. Careful proofreaders check for errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, names, numbers, and formatting. When checking spelling, do not rely too heavily on your computer's spell checker.

This selection is correct without any revisions.

At this point in time, we are not sure if we are postponing the meeting. As to whether or not we will meet at a later date, it is up in the air. We are not sure if we are postponing the meeting.

We are not sure if we are postponing the meeting.

How can you eliminate unclear writing?

Write for clarity, not to impress someone.

Evaluate each of the following sentences, and choose the most concise revision. There are many ways one can help a user when answering the phone. At this point in time, the great majority of users can be helped in many different ways. At this point in time, one can help a user in many ways. You can assist callers in many ways.

You can assist callers in many ways.

The buried verb phrase make a calculation can be revised to

calculate

Select the clearest options to complete the sentence. Andy _ the _

didn't properly execute database implementation

Select the clearest options to complete the sentence. If he hadn't submitted an _ we might have _ the MiniMop account.

unprofessional proposal won

Identify the redundancy in the sentence. Plans include the addition of additional office space.

Addition of additional

_ are canceled this week.

All division meetings

In order to sound businesslike, many writers mistakenly use stale expressions, thinking they sound more impressive. Which of the following are fresh, vigorous, and clear phrases? Check all that apply.

At your request. Thank you Please Separately Enclosed it About

Read the following paragraph, and choose the best revision for one of its sentences. Dr. Blake is retiring at the end of the month. There will be an unoccupied office upon his departure, and it is big in size. Because every other office is occupied, we should convert Dr. Blake's office into a lounge. It is absolutely essential that this issue is discussed at the next staff meeting. Because every other office is filled, we should convert Dr. Blake's office into a lounge. Because every other office is occupied, it's recommended that we should convert Dr. Blake's office into a lounge.

Because every other office is filled, we should convert Dr. Blake's office into a lounge.

First and foremost, I would like to thank you all for your ability to think outside the box. While it is easier said than done, you all fit the bill and remain true to form by creating marketing campaigns that pass with flying colors. As we move on to the next assignment as quick as a flash, remember that despite the turnaround speed of our projects, we can't afford to shoot from the hip. We must stand our ground and remain the exception to the rule, producing promotions that are better than new and good to go. Last but not least, please save the date for our annual company BBQ on May 23. Which of the following are clichés included in the preceding message? Check all that apply.

Better than new The exception to the rule Shoot from the hip First and foremost Stand our ground Pass with flying colors Think outside the box Fit the bill Easier said than done

Which of the sentences contain buried verbs? Check all that apply. I'll make an assumption that Lisa received the e-mail. The entire team engaged in the preparation of the proposal Paul submitted on Wednesday. Please take action on the recommendations in the customer satisfaction report. Consider the economic climate.

I'll make an assumption that Lisa received the e-mail. The entire team engaged in the preparation of the proposal Paul submitted on Wednesday. Please take action on the recommendations in the customer satisfaction report.