Bus Communications Chapter 6

Which sentences contain wordy prepositional phrases? Multiple select question. On occasion we have lunch at our place of business. Reason: "At our place of business" could be shortened to "in the office." In the future, we will address these issues with due diligence in hopes of arriving at a solution. Our conference will include an awards presentation, panel discussions, guest speakers, and a free lunch. In order to increase the number of successful sales, take out advertisements in a newspaper.

On occasion we have lunch at our place of business. In the future, we will address these issues with due diligence in hopes of arriving at a solution. In order to increase the number of successful sales, take out advertisements in a newspaper.

Which of the following are recommended steps in proofreading? Multiple select question. Read sentences from the viewpoint of the audience. Read each sentence more than once. Correct problems with the writing style, spelling, and grammar. Rewrite each sentence as you proofread it.

Read sentences from the viewpoint of the audience. Read each sentence more than once. Correct problems with the writing style, spelling, and grammar.

Which of the following statements are true? Multiple select question. The amount of white space helps readers form their first impression of a document. Documents look best when text is balanced with white space. Documents look more businesslike and professional if they are designed with mostly text and not much white space. Double-spaced documents are seldom used in business communications.

The amount of white space helps readers form their first impression of a document. Documents look best when text is balanced with white space. Double-spaced documents are seldom used in business communications.

What are some of the benefits of using the active voice? Multiple select question. Usually the sentence will be shorter. It emphasizes action, which is a key element in business. It sounds less bossy than the passive voice. The reader can understand it more quickly.

Usually the sentence will be shorter. It emphasizes action, which is a key element in business. The reader can understand it more quickly.

Select all that apply Which of the following sentences contain redundant words or phrases? We will be happy to aid and assist you with your project. Each year we sponsor an annual family retreat that includes friends and family members. We base our evaluations on a company's past history. We offer an incentive package to all prospective clients.

We will be happy to aid and assist you with your project. Each year we sponsor an annual family retreat that includes friends and family members. We base our evaluations on a company's past history.

What question should the writer ask when deciding whether to reword a sentence that begins with "it is"? Multiple choice question. Can "it is" be moved to the end of the sentence? Does the sentence contain a prepositional phrase that could serve as the subject instead? Does the verb agree with the subject? What does "it" refer to?

What does "it" refer to?

In business communication, long paragraphs are generally associated with

a writer who expects to claim too much of the reader's time. a writer who is disorganized. writing that will be confusing to read.

A sentence written in active voice specifies the doer of the action. This is important because Multiple choice question. accountability and coordination are vital in business. other sentence structures make the writing unprofessional. it ensures that if things go wrong, people who were not involved will not be blamed. the sentence would be gibberish without it.

accountability and coordination are vital in business.

Select all that apply When sentences begin with "it is" or "there are," they usually Multiple select question. are straightforward and clear. are longer than necessary. liven up the writing. do not specify the subject of the sentence.

are longer than necessary. do not specify the subject of the sentence.

Writers should avoid buzzwords because they Multiple select question. are trite. can cause negative feelings. reveal the writer's motives. are harsh.

are trite. can cause negative feelings.

Bold type, italics, and underlining are used in page design to Multiple select question. attract the reader's attention. distinguish facts from opinions. hold the reader's attention. give the reader a break.

attract the reader's attention. hold the reader's attention.

When a writer chooses big words that are not common, the reader will most likely Multiple choice question. grab a dictionary to look up the words. be impressed by the writer's education. take the writer more seriously. be distracted from the message.

be distracted from the message.

When a writer chooses big words that are not common, the reader will most likely Multiple choice question. take the writer more seriously. be distracted from the message. be impressed by the writer's education. grab a dictionary to look up the words.

be distracted from the message.

The purpose of the FAIR test is to ensure that Multiple choice question. business communication is conducted ethically. management handles employee problems in a fair way. Reason: The FAIR test is applied to business communication, not to labor issues. the text takes a strong stand on controversial issues. the quality of the writing is at least fair to good.

business communication is conducted ethically.

Workplace terms that are used too often are calleda) Slangb) Idiomsc) Synergismsd) Buzzwords

buzzwords.

The best thing to do with wordy prepositional phrases is usually to Multiple choice question. change them into adjectives. add enough words to make them separate sentences. cut all prepositional phrases from the text. change them into single-word verbs.

change them into single-word verbs.

Headings and subheadings within a document should Multiple choice question. be formatted to highlight the most important section. describe the contents of each section. be clever or humorous. make use of formatting that varies through the document.

describe the contents of each section.

When designing a document, Multiple choice question. keep in mind that ease of navigation is not an important consideration. do not format it in a way that will distract from the main message. give your creativity free reign. keep it plain, with mostly solid blocks of text.

do not format it in a way that will distract from the main message.

During the review process the writer should apply the FAIR test to ensure that the message it conforms to standards for Multiple select question. facts. regulation. impacts. access. aesthetics. respect.

facts. impacts. access. respect.

When a document is complex or full of information, headings help readers do which of the following? Multiple select question. find their way through the document and locate areas of interest identify key concepts absorb most of the content without having to read the text recognize what is in each section

find their way through the document and locate areas of interest identify key concepts recognize what is in each section

Which two of the following can often be changed into action verbs in an effort to make your writing more dynamic? Multiple select question. forms of the verb to be adjectives words that end in -ing nouns

forms of the verb to be nouns

Select all that apply Empty phrases in business communication Multiple select question. boost a writer's ability to communicate. make sentences unnecessarily long. make paragraphs more readable and unified. fill space without adding meaning.

make sentences unnecessarily long. fill space without adding meaning.

Business writing should be concise in order to Multiple choice question. 1.fit more facts into the message. give the message a serious and authoritative tone. 3.make the message easier to comprehend. 4.produce the message as quickly as possible.

make the message easier to comprehend.

Bullets and numbering Multiple select question. makes items easier to remember. slow down readers' processing of information. allows the writer to repeat information. help readers notice each item on a list.

makes items easier to remember. help readers notice each item on a list.

Feedback is helpful because readers who provide feedback can Multiple select question. fact-check each detail in the text.. Reason: This is not the role of readers giving feedback. improve the text by rewriting it. offer suggestions for improving the text. imagine how the intended reader will respond to the text.

offer suggestions for improving the text. imagine how the intended reader will respond to the text.

Compared to average business writers, expert business writers spend more time doing which three of the following? Multiple select question. planning the document. reviewing the text. thinking about the effect of the message. composing the first and second drafts of the text.

planning the document. reviewing the text. thinking about the effect of the message.

Redundant words and phrases Multiple choice question. sound alike and give the writing a poetic, lyrical quality. build upon ideas introduced in the previous sentence. result in language that is concise and to the point. repeat the meaning of previously used words and phrases.

repeat the meaning of previously used words and phrases.

In business communication it is best to use words that are Multiple select question. long and impressive. short and familiar. conversational. obscure.

short and familiar. conversational.

When readers receive a business message that consists of long paragraphs, they typically will Multiple choice question. read with greater concentration than they would otherwise. read and paraphrase each paragraph before reading the next one. go over the message several times to be sure they understood it completely. skim the text instead of reading each word.

skim the text instead of reading each word.

Which of the following sentences should be rephrased to use parallel language?a) A real estate agent will help you search for property, understand the procedures, and paperwork.b) Many entrepreneurs are adventurous and create jobs for others.c) Our success will depend on anticipating market demand, taioring our product to customer needs, and a cost-effective advertising strategy.d) The office manager supervises employees, make bank deposits, and orders supplies.

) A real estate agent will help you search for property, understand the procedures, and paperwork.b) Many entrepreneurs are adventurous and create jobs for others.c) Our success will depend on anticipating market demand, taioring our product to customer needs, and a cost-effective advertising strategy.

For routine business communications, how many words per sentence should writers aim for? Multiple choice question. 10 words. 15 words. 100 words. 40 words.

15

In general, for complex or analytical business communications, the average written sentence length should be ______ or fewer words.

20

In general, for complex or analytical business communications, the average written sentence length should be ______ or fewer words. Multiple choice question. 20 40 5 30

20

Which sentence demonstrates the most effective use of action verbs? Multiple choice question. When you are hired as an employee of our company, you will begin to receive many benefits. Our company will be restructured shortly, and then a merger with a larger firm will occur. At our learning center, teachers nurture each child and monitor individual progress. It was decided that we should have a meeting so that the controversy could be discussed.

At our learning center, teachers nurture each child and monitor individual progress.

Improving Ease of Reading with Navigational Design

Headings Highlighting Lists White Space Simplicity

Select all that apply Why is accuracy an essential element of business communication? Multiple select question. Inaccuracy causes readers to lose trust in the writer. Accurate communication is the best indicator of achieving a profitable business. People will make important decisions based on the communication. People have trouble deciphering what is accurate, so it is best to be accurate so as not to confuse them.

Inaccuracy causes readers to lose trust in the writer. People will make important decisions based on the communication.

What is the most important reason business communication should be complete?

It allows people to effectively act on the message right away.

What is the key to ensuring that a message will include the right amount of information? Multiple choice question. Keep asking yourself what information will be necessary to achieve the purpose of the message. Write all your ideas without censorship, then try to edit for length. Include five or six main ideas, and expand each on each with several paragraphs. Fill all available space with as much information as possible.

Keep asking yourself what information will be necessary to achieve the purpose of the message.

Buzzword ( Most Annoying )

Leverage At the end of the day Reach out Synergy It is what it is *Solution Viral *Think outside the box Game Changer * On the same page *Disconnect * Customer-Centric Value-add *Do more with less Circle back *Downsizing Cutting Edge *Overworked

Select all that apply Which of the following sentences contain empty phrases? Multiple select question. Needless to say, we made no profit last year. With that said, let me summarize our recent accomplishments. With all due respect, your sales projections are incorrect. Despite last year's poor sales, we expect a substantial profit this year.

Needless to say, we made no profit last year. With that said, let me summarize our recent accomplishments. With all due respect, your sales projections are incorrect.

Which two of the following kinds of lists would benefit most from being formatted with bullets or numbering? Multiple select question. the seven steps a person can take to overcome shyness at work the two continents in which a multinational company has offices the names of the president and vice president of a company the various forms required to apply for a business loan

the seven steps a person can take to overcome shyness at work the various forms required to apply for a business loan

Parallel language is important when Multiple choice question. the writing contains a series or list. a sentence is written in the passive voice. each team member writes part of a single document. a connection with the writer is necessary.

the writing contains a series or list.

Business writers should avoid using buzzwords because Multiple select question. they are so overused that they have lost their meaning. they can indicate that the writer is out of touch. they can be annoying to readers. they tend to make the sentences, and thus the paragraphs, too long.

they can indicate that the writer is out of touch. they are so overused that they have lost their meaning. they can be annoying to readers.

Select all that apply When your writing style is similar to the way your readers think and talk, Multiple select question. they will process the information more easily. the message will seem unprofessional and too casual. they will be less impressed with your education and knowledge of the subject. they will understand the message despite the many distractions in a work environment.

they will process the information more easily. they will understand the message despite the many distractions in a work environment.

When composing a document, expert business writers spend most of their time Multiple choice question. writing the first draft of the text. thinking about how the message will affect readers. reviewing the first draft and rewriting parts of it. thinking up big words to use in the text.

thinking about how the message will affect readers.

What is the main purpose of navigational design? Multiple choice question. to hold the reader's interest as long as possible to make the document look elegant to make the message easy to navigate to fill the page with as much information as possible

to make the message easy to navigate

When deciding how much white space to leave on a page, it is important to consider that Multiple select question. too much white space makes the document look too complicated. the area called "white space" in document design refers only to the color. too much white space makes the text look sparse. too little white space makes the text look cluttered.

too much white space makes the text look sparse. too little white space makes the text look cluttered.

When highlighting words or phrases, it is best to Multiple select question. use italics for the main ideas only. use one type of formatting at a time. use this formatting sparingly. underline at least one entire sentence at a time.

use one type of formatting at a time. use this formatting sparingly.

To make business writing easier to read and comprehend, you should Multiple choice question. write the way the reader thinks and talks. make the writing sound lyrical, like poetry. aim for a second- or third-grade reading level. write in a brief, formal style, using no adjectives or adverbs.

write the way the reader thinks and talks.

The most important consideration for written business communication is Multiple choice question. including every fact that might be relevant. designing a visually appealing document. Reason: This is not the most important consideration. conveying a message that is easy to read. making the document as short as possible, because readers lose interest quickly.

conveying a message that is easy to read.