Chapter 2 Improving Tone and Clarity

For each pair of the following sentences, identify the selection that best uses plain English and familiar words. -Linda's expert planning skills have helped advance her career. -Linda's innate ability to create a complex work plan in a short amount of time has provided her with lucrative and plentiful career opportunities. -Sales of our signature product have declined since May. -Although it may be related to the downturn in the economy, it appears that the product that built our reputation with the public is not selling as well as it did previously. The unfortunate decline has occurred since last May.

-Linda's expert planning skills have helped advance her career. -Sales of our signature product have declined since May.

For each pair of the following sentences, identify the selection that best uses plain English and familiar words. -When you are preparing to complete a PO form online, include all pertinent PO information regarding your department before you select "Send." Failing to comply with this request may result in lost data and potential complications in your order. -When filling out an online purchase order, complete the form fully before you click "Send." Incomplete order forms will not be processed. -Learn to speak slowly and clearly. -Be sure that you educate yourself as to how to speak with a measured pace and articulation.

-When filling out an online purchase order, complete the form fully before you click "Send." Incomplete order forms will not be processed. -Learn to speak slowly and clearly.

n empathetic, audience-focused professional will strive to use bias-free language. Select the most bias-free and grammatically correct choice to complete each sentence. Every______ needs to build professional credibility. The office hallways are being painted; please stay out of the way of the______

1. Business Professional 2. Workers

An empathetic, audience-focused professional will strive to use bias-free language. Select the most bias-free and grammatically correct choice to complete each sentence. The _______ are well prepared in case of an emergency. Every _______ must submit his or her time sheet at the end of the week.

1. flight attendants 2. employee

Unfortunately, we had a hard time completing the report; we deserve an extension. -We request a brief extension to complete the report. -You should give us an extension on the report because we aren't done yet. -We still aren't done with the report. We need an extension.

We request a brief extension to complete the report.