Writing for the Workpace

An outline that presents steps or events as they occur in time is called a

chronological outline.

Immediately after you write a rough draft, ideas are so fresh in your mind that you cannot read the words, sentences, and paragraphs

objectively.

When delivering your presentation, you should

use movement and gestures.

Well-planned ____________ can clarify and simplify your message because they communicate clearly, quickly, and vividly.

visual aids

An outline that evaluates the relative merits of two or more items is called a

comparison outline.

The purpose of reviewing each other's work is to check for problems in

content. organization. style.

Team leaders are expected to

coordinate the production of the final product.

Libraries often subscribe to _____________, excellent resources for current full-text articles.

databases

When applying for a job, you almost always need to submit a ______________ with your resume.

letter of application

Many unsolicited proposals are preceded by a ___________ that specifies a problem or unmet need to determine whether there is any potential interest.

letter of inquiry

____________ is communicating with people who might provide useful advice or connect you with potential employers.

Networking

Which of the following is an example of a specific but open-ended interview question?

"How do you use the Internet to help your clients?" "How has using the Internet helped your organization?"

Users are often intimidated by a thick user's manual full of dense legalistic text. What can companies do to combat this problem?

Adopt both a full-scale instructor's manual and a quick-start guide.

What is a benefit of usability testing?

Greater safety Improved efficiency Fewer customer complaints

_____________ are titles and subtitles within the body of a document that divide material into comprehensible segments by highlighting the main topics and signaling topic changes.

Headings

Which of the following is not a common category used on a resume?

Hobbies

With international audiences, which of the following delivery techniques should you avoid?

Idioms, jargon, and acronyms Sports metaphors Jokes

What is a general rule of thumb regarding illustrations?

Instructions for inexperienced readers should contain more illustrations than those for experienced readers.

Make instructions clear and concise by

Instructions must warn of all risks and hazards. An adequate warning must

To evaluate sources you gather, which of the following questions might you ask yourself?

Is the information accurate and up-to-date? Is the speaker or author reputable and qualified? Is the publisher or sponsoring organization well established and respected in the field?

With what type(s) of writing should you support your ideas convincingly, acknowledge opposing points of view, and use the appropriate medium for your message?

Persuasive writing

______________ is the gathering of raw data from such sources as firsthand experience, interviews, direct observations, and questionnaires.

Primary research

_____________ are visual blocks that allow you to brainstorm design options before you begin the actual layout of a report, newsletter, brochure, or other document.

Thumbnail sketches

Which of the following would be an appropriate purpose for an internal proposal?

To request salary increases

Should you use the pronoun I in business writing?

Yes, in certain situations.

______________ is a legitimate starting point from which you can expand your knowledge by finding and using other primary or secondary sources.

Your own experience

When brainstorming about what job might be right for you, what factors should you consider?

Your skills Your interests Your abilities

Most memos, letters, meeting minutes, progress reports, and other routine communications are formatted according to

a predetermined set of standards.

When cautioning a reader about what not to do, you must use

a slash through the image.

The key to writing an effective description is to

accurately present details.

In the letter of application, how can you show your readers that you are qualified for the job?

ask your potential employer questions. demonstrate your knowledge of the position. demonstrate your knowledge of the employer.

Collaborators work together to conceptualize the document to be produced, create a broad outline of it, divide the work into segments, and

assign each segment to individual team members.

Grant and research proposals are written to request the approval of, and usually funding for particular projects. Granting agencies often specify ______________ requirements for these proposals.

format content

Instructions must warn of all risks and hazards. An adequate warning must

identify the hazard and the potential seriousness of the risk. give the likely results of ignoring the warning. describe how to avoid the hazard and thus the injury.

Start with your outline as a guide, but remember that it is not

indispensable.

A writer who ______________ and uses it to produce a better product participates in the most productive kind of collaboration.

is able to accept criticism

Official records of meetings are known as

minutes.

External proposals are prepared for clients and customers

outside your company.

The main objective of a proposal is to

persuade.

A(n) ___________ is a summary of your qualifications and your main tool for finding a job

resume

The _____________ is a company's offer to provide specific goods or services to a potential buyer within a specified period of time for a specified price.

sales proposal

As part of the revision process, you should add new information to your writing if it will help

satisfy your audience's needs and accomplish the purpose of your writing.

An outline that divides your subject into steps, then presents the steps in the order in which they occur is called a

sequential outline.

The purpose of a review transmittal sheet is to

show where a project is in its progression through the review cycle. list in order those team members who must review the draft.

A(n) ____________ is written in response to a request for bids on goods and services by another company, or by a local, state, or federal government agency.

solicited proposal

Certain high-visibility, complex, or special-purpose documents, such as those aimed at customers, stockholders, or clients, require

special layout-and-design consideration.

Although graphs present statistics in a format that is easy to understand, they are less accurate than

tables.

An effective way to be a better listener is to

take notes while you are listening.

The planning stage is followed by(Collaborative Writing)

the research and writing stages.

A team leader should inform the members as to what is expected of them and

when it is expected.

The easiest way to test the soundness of your organization is to

write an outline of your rough draft.

What advantage or advantages does a questionnaire have over conducting personal interviews?

A questionnaire allows you to gather information from more people more quickly than you could through personal interviews.

Which of the following principles of writing can also be applied to preparing presentations?

Know your purpose and your audience. Organize your information. Determine the amount of information necessary to convey your message.

____________ requires taking action, interpreting the message, and assessing its worth.

Listening

What is a top priority for all proposal writers?

Meeting the deadline Producing a high-quality, persuasive document Receiving favorable evaluations

When writing instructions, can you ever use specialized vocabulary and abbreviations?

No. Avoid specialized terms and use plain language throughout.

Many instructions for product assembly are organized into four parts: Introduction, ______________, Procedure, and Conclusion.

Required Equipment and Materials

What should you do after leaving an interview?

Send the interviewer a brief note of thanks

What section of your writing should always relate to and reinforce the ideas presented in the opening and body?

The closing

Creating a Roman numeral outline enables you to recognize the relative importance of

Topics and subtopics within your subject.

Which of the following is an example of when the passive voice is useful?

When the doer of the action is less important than the receiver

Which of the following questions should you ask yourself to help you effectively create and incorporate your visual materials within your documents?

Why should I include this visual? Is the information in this visual accurate? Does the visual stand out from surrounding text?

Preparing and following a(n) ___________ will help to ensure that you cover the topics you set out to cover and achieve the outcomes that you wish.

agenda

When writing a first draft, a good way to manage your time is to ____________ within the deadline set by teachers, managers, and others.

allocate your time wisely

One way to help you look at your writing objectively is to

allow for a cooling period

A resignation letter should contain

an explanation of why you are leaving.

It is always a good idea to discuss the _________ of your proposal to your audience.

benefits

Examples of secondary research include

books and articles. Web documents. audio and video recordings.

When writing a cause-and-effect analysis, the evidence you give to support your argument should be

both adequate and relevant to your topic. representative and demonstrable.

To collect information about how a process or procedure works or how a group interacts, the most useful method of primary research is

conducting firsthand observations.

When using visuals to communicate internationally, one good way to avoid a potential embarrassment is to

consult with someone from your intended audience's country.

Internal proposals are usually written in ________ format and sent to ________.

memo / a superior within an organization

To write accurate instructions, you must thoroughly understand the task you are describing. How can you accomplish this?

Perform the operation yourself and take notes on each step. Watch someone else perform the operation and take notes on each step. Question someone who knows the procedure and record their responses.

____________ are vital to show the surface appearance of an object or to record an event or the development of a phenomenon over a period of time; however, drawings or diagrams are better for depicting the internal workings of a mechanism or below-the-surface details of objects or structures.

Photographs

What should you do before discussing your salary requirements?

Seek advice from a professional with relevant experience. Determine the typical salary ranges for positions in your area. Determine the firm's opportunities for promotion.

_______________ present essential ideas or conclusions of an original source and are considerably shorter than _____________ of the same passage. With either, you must document the source.

Summaries / paraphrases

Which of the following is a benefit of collaborative writing?

Team members stimulate each other to consider ideas and perspectives different from those they would have explored individually.

_______________ is a common method for diagnosing potential problems by having a test subject follow the draft instructions to perform a task.

Usability testing

To plan a successful meeting, you should

determine the focus of the meeting. decide who should attend. choose a good time and place to hold the meeting.

An outline that breaks information about a complex subject into manageable parts, and then discusses each part separately, is called a

division outline.

A ___________ is useful when your reader needs an impression of an object's general appearance or an overview of a series of steps or directions.

drawing

Ensure that you use the right word in the right context and that your writing is economical by

eliminating redundant or otherwise needless language.

Advantages of organizing your information before you write include?

ensuring that you have sufficient facts and details to satisfy your audience's needs and achieve the purpose of your writing. increasing audience understanding by ensuring your information is in a logical order.