RHET 310 Quiz 1

How can a business writer sound conversational but still professional?

A business writer can sound conversational but still professional by finding a balance in his or her presentation. One does not want to sound like a teenager with slang words or misuse social media, however it is important not to sound pretentious and too formal as well. A business writer wants to have a warm, friendly approach, but maintaining professionalism.

How is a sentence fragment different from a comma splice?

A sentence fragment is different from a comma splice because a fragment is usually a broken-off piece of a complex sentence. One can usually identify a fragment by the words that introduce them such as: although, as, because, even, except, for example, if, instead of, since, such. A comma splice is different because it results when a writer joins two independent clauses with a comma.

How are topic sentences different from support sentences?

A topic sentence is different from support sentences in that it summarizes the single main idea. The topic sentence usually appears at the beginning of a paragraph but can appear in the middle and even at the end of the paragraph. A topic sentences gives readers an idea of what to expect and helps them to understand the paragraphs central thought very quickly. Support sentences are created to strengthen the topic sentence. Support sentences provide details, explanations and evidence.

What is the relationship between sentence length and comprehension?

As sentences becomes longer, reader comprehension drops off markedly. Therefore, when making sentences it is important to remember the relationship between lenth and comprehension and strive for sentences that average 20 words.

Before drafting a message what questions should writers ask as they collect information?

Before drafting a message writers should ask questions as they collect information such as: what does the receiver need to know about this topic? What is the receiver to do? How is the receiver to do it? When must the receiver do it? What will happen if the receiver doesn't do it?

What business messages are better organized directly, and which are better organized indirectly?

Business messages that are better organized directly include ones that the writer expects the reader to be pleased, mildly interested, or, at worst, neutral. Business messages that are better organized indirectly include ones that the writer expects their audience to be uninterested, unwilling, displeased, or perhaps even hostile. Messages in this category include bad news, ideas that require persuasion, and sensitive news, especially when being transmitted to superiors.

In what ways is business writing different from school essays and private messages?

Business writing is different from school essays and private messages in many ways. In school, we turn our focus to expressing how we feel and displaying in great length the information we have been taught. Instructors grade essays on creativity, length, and assurance that students know the subject matter inside-and-out. Business writing cuts out the fluff and focuses on purposeful, economical and audience-oriented writing. Length is no longer rewarded, and success stems from understanding one's audience and how they think.

Define communication and when is it successful?

Communication is essentially the transferring and receiving of information or meaning from one person to another. communication is successful when the person at the receiving end understands the information in the way the sender originally intended.

List 6 trends in the information age workplace that affect business communicators.

Communication tools like social media global competition renewed emphasis on ethics "anytime anywhere" office team-based projects flattened management hierarchies

what is culture and what are 5 key dimensions that can be used to describe it?

Complex system of values, traits and customs shared by a society

can social media connect cultures and bridge cultural divides?

Digital media is an amplifier. it tends to make extroverts more extroverted and introverts more introverted." at the same time, the online environment may deepen feelings of isolation it can make interpersonal contact more difficult because all contact is mediated electronically. We tend to gravitate toward what we know so we pay attention to people with a shared interest. Social media is allowing users to cubically witness firsthand real time accounts of political unrest and natural and human caused disasters. So it is still undecided.

Why is positive wording more effective in business writing than negative wording?

Positive wording is more effective in business writing than negative wording because it generally gets the message across more efficiently. Positive wording is encouraging and uplifting, often making relationships with coworkers and customers more effective. With this in mind, negative wording can be considered "loaded" and can get the writer in trouble. Words such as defective, failed, and unaware can make others feel as if you don't trust them or you are criticising them.

What is research, and how do informal and formal research methods differ?

Research is "collecting information about a certain topic." Informal research methods are used for many routine tasks like writing emails, memos, letters, informal reports, and oral presentations. Techniques that are useful in informal research include searching your company's files, talking with the boss, interview the specific audience you are aiming the message towards, conducting an informal survey, and simply brainstorming. Formal research is much more professional and more evidence based. You would collect formal research for long reports and complex business problems. Techniques that are useful in formal research include access electronic sources, searching manually, investigating primary sources, and conducting scientific experiments.

what seven factors should writers consider when selecting an appropriate channel to deliver a message?

Seven factors that writers should consider when selecting an appropriate channel to deliver a message include: face-to-face conversation, video chat, instant messaging, memo, report, telephone, email, letter, blog, and wiki.

List 7 or more suggestions for enhancing comprehension when you are talking with nonnative speakers of English. Be prepared to discuss each.

Short forms and contraction should be avoided paraphrase be clear incorrect english or baby talk should be avoided running words together should be avoided opt for simple words rather than complex ones speaking clearly and pronouncing each correctly is must

What is the "you" view? When can the use of the pronoun you backfire?

The "you" view is a writing technique in which a skilled communicator tries to have a more conversational and personal approach, but still remain professional with his or her audience. This method can be effective to inform, persuade, and promote goodwill and can be appreciated amongst an audience, but it can backfire sometimes as well. Overuse of the word "you" can give a wrong impression, making an audience resentful and often thinking they are being manipulated. "You" has the ability to make people feel singled out and criticized.

What is the difference between active-voice and passive-voice sentences? Give an original example of each. When should business writers use each?

The differences between active-voice and passive-voice sentences are many. In active voice sentences, the performer is immediately revealed making these sentences direct, usually shorter and easier to understand. In a passive sentence, the subject receives the action. This type of sentence, although more confusing, is useful to emphasize an action rather than a person and to de-emphasize negative news.

List the five steps in the communication process.

The five steps of the communication process include: the sender has an idea, the sender encodes message, the sender selects channel and transmits message, the receiver decodes message and the feedback return to sender.

What are the four sentence types? Provide an original example of each.

The four sentence types include simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences, and compound-complex sentences. A simple sentence: The Cookie Monster stole my cookies. A compound sentence: The Cookie Monster stole my cookies, and he ate them immediately. A complex sentence: When the Cookie Monster stole my cookies, he ate them immediately. A compound-complex sentence: When the Cookie Monster stole my cookies, he ate them immediately; however he developed a bellyache.

Describe the components in the 3x3 writing process. Approximately how much time is spent on each stage?

The three key components the the 3x3 writing process include prewriting, drafting, and revising. Prewriting includes analyzing your audience. Your goal is to get a group of people with many different educational and cultural backgrounds to be in favor of what you are promoting so it's crucial to choose the right words and right tone. This step also requires anticipating the reaction of your audience. Some will disagree, and you must learn to adapt to any audience and speak in a positive way. Drafting includes lots of research and organizing. You are hoping for the best possible outcome, so it's important to gain understanding and credibility. With the information you have collected put together a short, clear draft in an active voice. Lastly, revising includes editing, proofreading and evaluating your message and deciding whether is accomplishes your goal. This should be time consuming and meticulous to make sure there are no mistakes. The time spent on each stage is broken down in the following way: prewriting 25%, drafting 25%, and proofreading 50%.

Name three techniques for building paragraph coherence.

Three techniques for building paragraph coherence include repeating a key idea by using the same expression or a similar one. The second technique is using pronouns to refer to previous nouns. The third technique is showing connections with transitional expressions.

What are three ways to avoid biased language? Give an original example of each.

Three ways to avoid biased language includes staying away from expressions that might be biased in terms of gender, race or ethnicity, disabilities or age. Usually you can avoid gender-biased language by avoiding words like man, woman, him and her and instead using plural nouns and pronouns, or by changing to a gender free word. A gender-biased example: "Hi Susan, may the best man win." Correction: "Hi, Susan, may the best intern win." To avoid using age-biased expressions avoid words that are subjective or demeaning. An age-biased example: "You're getting outrun by Tom and he's an old man!"

What does WIIFM mean? Why is it important to business writers?

WIIFM is an acronym for "What's in it for me?" This acronym is important to business writers because it helps them shape their messages. By using this tool, a writer can discover many key questions in relation to the audience. For instance what language is appropriate, when or when not to use technical terms, when to give background information or what tone should be used. Another advantage WIIFM has on writers is considering the possibility of a secondary audience. Who else may see what you are sending can dictate whether you choose to have a more formal tone, or include more background information etc.

Why do writers need to outline complex projects before beginning?

Writers need to outline complex projects before beginning because it gives them a chance to organize their thinking before getting bogged down in word choice and sentence structure.

list bad habits and distractions that can act as barriers to effective listening

fake listening, wandering minds, prefer to talk instead of listen.

describe the kind of work environment you can expect to enter when you graduate?

fast paced, competitive, and information driven digital environment. communication technology provides unmatched mobility and connect people anytime and anywhere in the world.

why are writing skills more important in today's workplace than ever before.

messages travel instantly all over the world. social media, digital media, skills always on display. top resume requirements.

What is nonverbal communication? Are nonverbal cues easy to read?

nonverbal communication includes all unwritten and unspoken messages, whether intended or not. these silent signals have a strong effect on receivers. however, understanding them is not simple.

list 11 techniques for improving you listening skills. be prepared to discuss each.

stop talking. focus fully on others. control distractions. keep an open mind. listen for the speakers main ideas. capitalizing on lag time. listening between the lines. judging ideas instead of appearances.

How do we send messages to others without speaking?

with eye contact facial expressions posture gestures