Chapter 3: Aplia Assignment

Limiting your sentences to _____ will help the reader comprehend the message.

20 words or fewer

Consider the following scenario and identify which formal research method would be appropriate. You are preparing a comprehensive report on telecommunication practices in your industry. You need some background information on the history of Internet use in professional environments.

Access traditional sources and electronic sources.

Identify the correct pattern of a complex sentence.

An independent clause and a dependent clause

Outlines give you a chance to organize your thinking before determining word choice and sentence structure. Which of the following will help you create a more effective outline?

Avoid single items under major components Divide the main topic into major components Make each subpoint exclusive

Long reports and complex business problems often require formal research methods. Consider the following scenario and identify which formal research method would be appropriate. Your division has been asked to compile a recommendation for the price point for an innovative software application. You need to know how much customers will be willing to pay and under what circumstances.

Conduct a scientific experiment.

You are going on a business trip to Singapore to deliver a proposal to a potential client. You have finished proofing the last part of the presentation, and you need your coworker to doublecheck the statistics in your presentation before you go.

Direct

Your bonuses will be in your next paycheck. The sales department exceeded its goals this month. Congratulations! In this message, the ______ organizational pattern is used

Direct

Your report scores are due to Tim, senior project manager, by 2:00 p.m. on Friday. These reports don't require a lot of time and last year were impeccably written. I know you will do a great job.

Direct

Determine which research method is being used in the following scenario. Eleanor knows very little about the migratory habits of the flamingo, but she is told to give an extensive report about them to a panel of ornithologists. In order to prepare, she spends three days in the library reviewing magazines and journal articles, searching academic databases, and identifying primary sources.

Formal research

The Boston Hotel High-end linens 600-thread-count sheets Coffeemaker and selected teas Imported beer Fresh-squeezed juices Affordability Food and drink Double-thick bath towels Silk pillowcases Raw silk curtains with gold embellishments $100/night four-star rooms Free snacks, shampoo, and conditioner Free wireless Internet What are three subcategories in the previous scratch list?

High-end linens, affordability, food and drink

Our company is growing fast, which always means changes and innovations. Because of this growth, the accounting department will be restructured. For the last five years, Lorenzo has served as chief manager with grace and dedication. However, because of the restructuring, Lorenzo's position will no longer be needed. He will be working in the marketing department on the third floor, starting next Tuesday. In this message, the ___ organizational pattern is used.

Indirect

Once you have collected data for a message, you'll need to find a way to organize it. Well-organized messages group similar ideas together, allowing readers to see relationships and follow arguments. You can use two primary techniques for organizing your information: a scratch list and an outline. Scratch lists and outlines give you a chance to

Organize your thoughts before writing

Which of the following is a situation that might call for an indirect strategy?

Respects the feelings of the audience

Typing an e-mail message is a form of message encoding an idea is converted into written language.

Run-on

The Boston Hotel High-end linens 600-thread-count sheets Coffeemaker and selected teas Imported beer Fresh-squeezed juices Affordability Food and drink Double-thick bath towels Silk pillowcases Raw silk curtains with gold embellishments $100/night four-star rooms Free snacks, shampoo, and conditioner Free wireless Internet Which group includes specific supporting detail that could be added to the previous scratch list?

Sparkling water, evening wine tasting, four-star hotel restaurant

Routine tasks often require informal research methods. Identify which informal research technique would be most appropriate for each situation. You receive a voice mail from your supervisor asking you to compile a list of talking points for an upcoming interview on the Morning News Show. The best informal information gathering technique to find out the details of what your boss expects would be to:

Talk with your boss

Business messages typically follow either a direct strategy or an indirect strategy. The direct strategy, or frontloading, places the main idea at the beginning of a message. Using a direct opening strategy

saves the reader time

The Boston Hotel High-end linens 600-thread-count sheets Coffeemaker and selected teas Imported beer Fresh-squeezed juices Affordability Food and drink Double-thick bath towels Silk pillowcases Raw silk curtains with gold embellishments $100/night four-star rooms Free snacks, shampoo, and conditioner Free wireless Internet There are three main categories of amenities indicated in the scratch list: high-end linens, affordability, food, and drink. Which of the following indicate three examples of supporting details for the main categories of amenities?

$100/night four-star rooms, silk pillowcases, imported beer

Identify which informal research technique would be most appropriate for each situation. After complaining about parking accommodations at your office, you have been asked by your boss to propose a simple solution that will satisfy your coworkers. The best informal information gathering technique for this situation would be to:

Conduct an informal survey

Long reports and complex business problems often require formal research methods. Consider the following scenario and identify which formal research method would be appropriate. George has been asked to prepare a presentation documenting customer reaction to his company's recently released hand-held GPS device. He needs to know what customers think.

Conduct primary research for firsthand information.

Routine tasks often require informal research methods. Identify which informal research technique would be most appropriate for each situation. During your first day on the job, you are asked to respond to a customer inquiry regarding an extended warranty. The best informal information gathering technique for this situation would be to:

Check company files

Determine which research method is being used in the following scenario. The market analyst of a chain megastore bakery, called More Dough, asks you to find out why people are choosing to go to smaller bakeries rather than their megastore in the same area. The analyst asks you to visit the smaller bakeries and observe the consumers and owners. After you observe and gather data, you are to bring your findings to a group of researchers who will establish controlled variables and conduct a series of experiments.

Formal research

Read the following scenario, and determine which is the best research approach. While working for an international development agency, you must develop a presentation about primary and secondary education in the Middle East, a topic you are not familiar with. Which is the best research approach?

Formal. On the Internet, find statistics gathered by the United Nations showing the dropout rates of students by gender and age. Request that certain reports be sent to you, so you can examine the data yourself.

You have just been offered a promotion that your friend and coworker, Neha, has been hoping for. Neha knows that you had a scheduled meeting with your boss today and sends you an e-mail asking how your meeting went. You know Neha will be upset when she hears the news of your promotion; however, she is a good friend, and you need to be honest and tell her in your response e-mail.

Indirect

Determine which research method is being used in the following scenario. You are asked to compose a job description for the position of director of sales for SaveWell. This is a position you once held, so you are familiar with the requirements and qualifications. Before beginning to write, you look in the files for past descriptions and check with your supervisor about details to include.

Informal research

Read the following scenario, and determine which is the best research approach. You need to compose an e-mail informing coworkers of an upcoming bowling party. Which is the best research approach?

Informal. Look at past flyers for this event, ask coworkers what kind of food they would like to have at the party, and ask which bowling alley they prefer.

Read the following scenario, and determine which is the best research approach. As a library board member, you are asked to write an e-mail to people who have donated books to the library. The message will inform them of an upcoming banquet honoring all supporters of the library. Which is the best research approach?

Informal. Verify the banquet date and time by looking at past invitations in your files and talking to the library staff regarding scheduling. Then gather all of the donors' names and e-mail addresses from the library contact sheet and send the message.

Which of the following is a benefit to using an indirect strategy?

It minimizes negative reaction Facilitates a fair hearing

Select the correct version of each pair of the following sentences.

Local markets have become saturated, so companies now look to other countries for further expansion. If you can write well, you can represent your company well. Employees today are hired for their knowledge as well as their ability to learn new things. The communication process works fluidly. It moves from one step to the next often without pause. Convey your ideas clearly; use precise wording.

Outlines give you a chance to organize your thinking before determining word choice and sentence structure. Which of the following will help you create a more effective outline?

Put the main idea in the title Include 3 to 5 major components Use evidence to support subpoints Move single subpoint to larger groups

Business messages typically follow either a direct strategy or an indirect strategy. The direct strategy, or frontloading, places the main idea at the beginning of a message. Using a direct opening strategy

Reduces frustration sets a proper frame of mind

Katherine submitted the recommendation report yesterday.

Simple

Once you have collected data for a message, you'll need to find a way to organize it. Well-organized messages group similar ideas together, allowing readers to see relationships and follow arguments. You can use two primary techniques for organizing your information: a scratch list and an outline. To help organize your thoughts before writing, you should

Use a scratch list or outline

Before beginning to compose a successful business message, you need to collect necessary information by conducting informal or formal research. Often the information you collect during the research process helps shape your message. Which questions should you ask yourself in order to avoid frustration and inaccurate messages? Check all that apply.

What action does the receiver need to take? When must the receiver take action? What will happen if the receiver does not take action? What action should the receiver take? What does the receiver need to know about this topic? How is the receiver to take action?

An indirect strategy places the main idea after an explanation or reason. Which of the following is a situation that might call for an indirect strategy?

You are giving an employee a formal performance warning. You are writing to your division to inform them of a mandatory furlough. You want to convince your very old-fashioned boss to implement casual Fridays.

An indirect strategy places the main idea after an explanation or reason. Which of the following is a situation that might call for an indirect strategy?

You are sending a past-due notice on an account. You need to convince your coworkers to adopt a new software program that they don't understand. You need to fire your receptionist. You are terminating an employee. You need to inform your boss that she has made a significant error in her data calculations.