Technical Writing Final Review Chapter 14
How might a business letter to someone from a very different culture differ from a business letter to someone from your own culture?
in the salutation in the level of specificity of the information in the tone All responses are correct.
What level of formality should be used in workplace correspondence with digital applications such as email and microblogs?
informal
A writer working for the state department of agriculture wishes to educate farmers statewide about upcoming changes in irrigation policies. Which of the following types of communication would be most effective?
letter
According to Chapter 14, three elements are nearly always found at the top of the second and subsequent pages of a memo. One is the page number. What are the other two elements?
name of the recipient and the date.
What is flaming?
the act of posting or sending offensive messages over the Internet.
According to Chapter 14, three elements are always found at the top of the second and subsequent pages of a memo. One is the page number. What are the other two? (Select both answers.)
the name of the recipient the date of the memo
If you are writing a letter using company stationery, which piece of information is most likely to be provided so that you do not have to type it?
the return address
What does the term bandwidth refer to in Chapter 9?
the space your message takes up and the time required to read it
Chapter 14 offers several guidelines for writing inquiry letters. One is to explain who you are and why you are writing. What is another guideline?
what you plan to do with the information and how you can compensate the reader for answering your questions.
Which of the following best defines writing that projects the "you attitude"?
writing that adopts the reader's point of view and has content, structure, and tone adjusted to meet his or her needs
You are one of four people on a search committee interviewing candidates for a marketing manager position in your department. The Human Resources (HR) department has asked each person on the committee to provide feedback after every interview. The candidate you interviewed this afternoon, Mr. Zoolander, did not seem at ease, and you were disappointed in several of his responses to questions. Which passage would be best to include in your email to the HR department?
"I was disappointed with several of Mr. Zoolander's responses to our questions. He did not show that he had thought deeply about the issues our department is facing."
Which of the following statements is true?
Clichés give your writing a stilted tone.
Provide an example of a salutation.
Dear Dr. Wiseman,
You are writing a research paper on the hydrological impacts of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, on groundwater in your state. In your research, you have found that a professor at a university in another state, Dr. Thomas Henry Wright, has conducted similar research. You decide to write an inquiry letter to ask him some questions. Which salutation is most appropriate for your letter?
Dear Dr. Wright:
Why is it important to communicate honestly, no matter what type of document you create?
Dishonest communication can lead customers to take their business elsewhere. It shows respect for your reader and for yourself. All responses are correct. Misleading your reader jeopardizes your credibility.
According to Chapter 14, it is inappropriate to use headings in memos.
False
Generally speaking, the netiquette guidelines that apply to emails do not apply to microblog posts.
False
In a "bad news" adjustment letter, there is no sense trying to salvage goodwill; the reader is so angry that he or she will never do business with your company again.
False
The terms letter and memo are interchangeable.
False
Which of these sentences best avoids clichés?
I am sorry we missed the deadline.
Chapter 14 states two reasons language errors in correspondence are unprofessional. One is that they suggest a lack of respect for your reader and for yourself. What is the other reason?
It also causes your reader to think that you are careless about your job.
What types of incidents and developments related to your organization should be the subject of posts on a company-sponsored microblog?
Post about incidents and developments that reinforce your organization's core principles, such as environmental awareness or making technology available around the world. Talk about leadership, teamwork, and cooperation. Don't try to sell products.
What does it mean to "link generously" when posting to a microblog at work?
Post links to websites and articles that are relevant to a subject you are discussing online.
According to Chapter 14, which of the following is NOT a guideline for effective on-the-job microblogging?
Regard your followers as a market for your company's products and services.
The number following an enclosure notation at the bottom of a letter indicates the number of sheets of paper enclosed with the letter.
True
Twitter tweets and Facebook posts can be forms of business correspondence.
True
Which of the following is NOT a means of adhering to netiquette guidelines?
Take a friendly, casual tone.
A writing team regularly uses email to coordinate projects and to maintain a friendly, collaborative work environment. Which of the flaws listed below does the following email exhibit? (Select all that apply.) To: Documentation Department Subject: Status of Trace Instrument's Consulting Project <snip> > It would be nice to know the status of the Trace project so I can > plan my summer hours with some accuracy. <snip> I understand that the uncertainty with the Trace Instrument's project is causing some scheduling nightmares. I want to briefly update you. The project smaller than we first thought. Initially it seemed like a cast of thousands would be involved. However, the company will pay for only three of us. Steve, Ming, and Stacy will work on the project. While you may be disappointed, I'm sure some "cost overruns" by the team will teach Trace Instruments a lesson I have your name and will contract you if the project grows. Wilma Vogel
The writer flamed the writer of an earlier message. The writer failed to understand the permanent nature of email messages. The writer failed to proofread the message before sending.
According to Chapter 14, what is one reason to avoid using clichés in correspondence?
They sound stilted and insincere.
A salutation is a greeting at the beginning of a letter, traditionally consisting of "Dear," the reader's courtesy title and last name, and a colon.
True
Email is usually archived digitally (stored permanently).
True
In some cultures, a person is more likely to walk down the hall to deliver a brief message than to send an email, because doing so shows more respect.
True
One disadvantage of correspondence clichés is that they can be hard to understand.
True
Your company intends to open a new office on the other side of the country. The goal is to expand the company's operations and move into some new and more exclusive markets. This is a major step for the company, and you want your shareholders to be impressed. Which type of correspondence should you use to communicate with your shareholders?
In what situation should you use an attention line in a letter?
You do not know the name of a specific person at the company you are writing to, but you want whoever holds a particular position to read the letter.
What do you call a letter in which you respond to a claim and tell the customer how you plan to handle the situation described in the letter?
adjustment letter.
According to Chapter 14, in which type of letter is flattering the recipient appropriate?
an inquiry letter
Provide an example of a correspondence cliché.
attached please find
When it appears in a letter, memo, or email, what does the symbol c stand for?
copy
What does the notation cc stand for in a letter, memo, or email?
courtesy copy
