Chapter 5

Business messages usually conclude with a

call to action

To demonstrate a can-do attitude in a business message, the writer should use

realistic assertions

Strong analogies are important to the writing of business messages because they

reinforce arguments

Which of the following are characteristics of effective and compelling business message frames?

-They are memorable -They use rational and emotional appeal

Order from first to last, with the first step at the top, the following steps as they typically occur in developing sound business ideas.

1. identification of questions and problem 2. research to gather information 3. making conclusions or finding solutions

For an effective frame, the primary business message should be approximately__words in length.

10 to 15

Business writers who effectively craft their message do which of the following?

Keep the needs of secondary audience in mind, foresee the reaction of their audience, remember the values of their audience

Average and poor business writers are more likely than excellent writers to focus on the ___ stage first

drafting

AIM is a process for__the writing of useful business messages

planning

When framing the primary message, authors of a business message should complete which of the following?

-define the primary message -compose a brief message statement

Using exaggeration in a business message can affect the credibility of which of the following?

-the author -the message itself

Which of the following are ways an inexperienced newcomer can improve a professional reputation?

Ask to take on projects with greater responsibilities, be in attendance at numerous meetings, dress in a manner that reflects the company's corporate culture

Business-message readers generally have a better reaction to an author who is seen as

Open to a variety of options and ideas

Templates are used to create a business message for which of the following reasons

To Define its structures, to organize its appearance

Which of the following are part of planning the basic message structure?

arranging the logic of the primary message, and finding and framing the primary message.

The description of products and services in a business message is more effective when it emphasizes their traits

as assets, in a positive manner

Knowing which secondary audience might view a business communication allows the author to

avoid including some confidential content

When solving business problems the first step is to

identify the problem

In a business message, mixed signals come about when there is a conflict between signals such as tone and

message content

During the message development process, business professionals should identify the _______ their ideas clearly.

objectives of

In business communications, which of the following generally enhances the writer's beneficial influence over others?

optimism

In terms of tone, which two of the following do readers respond to most positively?

the projection of positivity, concern for others

When business thinkers are mentally flexible, they possess the ability to

understand contrasting views

The professional reputation of entry-level business people can be improved relatively quickly through which of the following?

-being conscious of strengths and weaknesses -offering something of value to the work environment

Which of the following are benefits of recognizing the contributions of others in business messages?

-credit given in return on other projects -better working relationships

Expert business writers typically work more ________ than average business writers.

-effectively -quickly

Which of the following should be avoided in business writing?

-implication of adversarial positions -emphasis on differences

Which of the following statements about the framework of a deductive business message are accurate?

-it should be possible to scan the message to readily understand its main ideas -the concluding paragraph has a call to action -there are supporting paragraphs for each key point

Which of the following actions will contribute to receiving a timely, desired response to a business message?

-recognizing others' individualism -respecting the time of others

Which of the following are helpful ways of organizing the logic of a business message?

-sketching out the logic -diagramming the logic

Statements that are deduced based on facts are

Conclusions

In writing business messages, the planning stage focuses on ensuring excellent

Content

An audience's assessment of a business communication message is largely based on the author's

Credibility

Crystal believes that outsourcing the bookkeeping needs of her firm would save money. She researches various companies and runs the numbers for various scenarios to gather evidence of the potential savings. Which of the following best defines Crystal's message structure?

Crystal is identifying causes and effects

The underlying, overall message that people get from a business communication is called the ___ message of the communication

Meta

During the planning stage of business-message formation, anticipating a reader's reaction is tied to

The ways a reader will think and feel, how the message will affect workplace relationships

Which of the following are means that business professionals employ to draw out superior ideas?

They draw diagrams, they write out notes, they brainstorm with team members

An effective, logical business message includes which of the following characteristics?

applicability of research, research-backed ideas, supported facts

A listener-centered approach to business messages focuses on the input of which of the following?

colleagues, clients

Which of the following are likely effects of slanting the facts in business messages?

potential loss of author credibility, reader doubt about message logic

Understanding the constraints of the audience of a business message means that the message should be crafted to

provide value to the audience

An indirect approach is often used for which of the following types of business messages?

to give negative news

When writing a sentence in a business message that is intended for a work team, the appropriate voice to use is usually the ______ voice

we

When the tone of a business message is _____________, there is an implied interest in the opinions and needs of the audience.

welcoming

Framing the primary message involves presenting the message

within an overall theme

Which of the following are parts of the process of crafting effective business messages?

reviewing, planning, writing

When structuring a business message, its ideas should have a basis in

strong reasoning

Readers will usually interpret a business message containing the repeated use of the we-voice as

team-focused

In the context of business messages, workplace__ are the core beliefs about suitable ways of handling issues and problems.

values

Over the course of many communications, the lasting meta messages you send become the basis for

your reputation