Question 1

Which of the following is most acceptable for business writing?

Accepted Answer

The most acceptable option is "All physicians must carry their own malpractice insurance." The use of a plural noun as antecedent (physicians) matches the plural pronoun (their) and is preferred to the singular (physician) with the awkward "his or her." Using the singular "physician" with the plural "their" is grammatically incorrect.

Question 2

A business message should be long because quantity enhances quality.

Accepted Answer

Business messages should be clear but concise. Length is not rewarded in business. Instead, conciseness and clarity are what count in business.

Question 3

As employees conduct more business using instant messaging, they should send messages that are informal, conversational, and

Accepted Answer

Of these options, only "professional" is correct. Avoid the other options because they include sloppy or unprofessional qualities.

Question 4

Which of the following represents the best business writing?

Accepted Answer

Of these options, only "You can return all resalable merchandise for a store credit" is worded in a positive manner. The other options indicate what cannot be done. This use of negative language is more likely to create hostility in the audience.

Question 5

Business writers who use words such as conceptualize, remuneration, and terminate are using language many readers would consider

Accepted Answer

These words would be unfamiliar to many readers. Wise business writers use more familiar alternatives (conceptualize-see, remuneration-pay, terminate-end).

Question 6

To be effective, the three phases of the writing process must be performed in sequence, moving from Phase 1 to Phase 2 to Phase 3 in order.

Accepted Answer

The writing process is not always linear. It does not always proceed from Phase 1 to Phase 2 to Phase 3. Often the writer must circle back and repeat an earlier step.

Question 7

As you become a more skilled and experienced business writer, you will be more likely to alter, compress, and rearrange the writing process steps to suit your needs.

Accepted Answer

Beginning writers should follow the writing process described in the text carefully as they develop their skills. When they become experienced writers, they can use the writing process stages more flexibly. This growth is natural and desirable.

Question 8

Marketing Director Kiprova will inform the board of directors that customers are not responding positive to the company's Paris Hilton ads. Which of the following is the most appropriate announcement?

Accepted Answer

Using the words "ripping on," "rock, "badmouthing," "awesome," and "out of it" is unprofessional. Words such as "denigrate," "strategic implementation," and "notoriety" are examples of inflated language that may be unfamiliar. The word "criticism" better describes the customers' reactions.

Question 9

Business writers are encouraged to use plain English, which means

Accepted Answer

Plain English is the use of active-voice verbs, personal pronouns, short sentences, and familiar words. Business writers strive to use plain language and to avoid excessively formal or informal writing.

Question 10

The ability to prepare concise, audience-centered, persuasive, and purposeful messages comes naturally.

Accepted Answer

Some natural writers do exist; but the ability to be concise, audience-centered, persuasive, and purposeful in your written messages requires training. However, following a systematic process, studying model messages, and practicing the craft can make nearly anyone a successful business writer or speaker.

Question 11

Alonso needs to get feedback from sales representatives located across the U.S. and Europe. Because he needs to have the most interactivity and feedback possible, the best channel of communication for Alonso is videoconferencing or teleconferencing.

Accepted Answer

Because Alonso needs a media-rich channel to permit interaction, he should use videoconferencing or teleconferencing to gain information from this geographically dispersed group.

Question 12

Jorge must inform Samantha that she is not eligible to have an August vacation for which she recently applied. Which of the following sentences best demonstrates the "you" view Jorge should use in denying Samantha's application?

Accepted Answer

Each of the messages provides similar information to Samantha, but only one ("You may qualify for a vacation in September if you apply now although the August schedule is full") represents effective use of the "you" view. It shows the benefits to the receiver (September vacation) without sounding accusatory.

Question 13

The primary purposes of most business documents are to inform and to promote goodwill. A common secondary purpose is sales growth.

Accepted Answer

Persuasion and information are the primary purposes of most business documents. Goodwill is a common secondary purpose.

Question 14

Create a conversational but professional tone in letters, e-mail messages, instant messages, and memos by

Accepted Answer

You will have a conversational tone when you use familiar words, occasional contractions, and first- or second-person pronouns. Professional messages do not include IM abbreviations, slang, sentence fragments, and chitchat.

Question 15

An important aspect of the first phase of writing a business message is anticipating the audience's reaction to the message.

Accepted Answer

Anticipating the audience's reaction is one of the most important aspects of the prewriting phase of the writing process because it assists the writer in creating a message that is more likely to be successful.

Question 16

Shannon is writing a proposal to try to convince the board of directors to upgrade the company's computer equipment. After completing the prewriting phase, Shannon should immediately start composing the report.

Accepted Answer

Before Shannon can organize material and compose her proposal, she must collect information in the researching step of the second phase in the writing process.

Question 17

The final task in the third phase of the writing process is evaluating your message to decide whether it accomplishes your goal.

Accepted Answer

The third phase of the process involves revising, proofreading, and evaluating your message. The final step in the third phase involves evaluating your message to decide whether it accomplishes your goal.

Question 18

Which of the following is most acceptable for business writing?

Accepted Answer

The most acceptable option is "Please check with your supervisor for information about salary increases." The other sentences use long and unfamiliar words.

Question 19

Most writers spend equal amounts of time on each of the three phases of the writing process: prewriting, writing, and revising.

Accepted Answer

The time you spend on each phase varies depending on the complexity of the problem, the purpose, the audience, and your schedule. Writers spend the most time (about 45 percent) on the revising phase of the writing process because it is the most important part.

Question 20

Francisco is writing an article for the company's intranet to encourage managers to use plain English. Which of these sentences uses an appropriate business style to express Francisco's point?

Accepted Answer

Only "Employees will respond better to e-mail message that are written with familiar language and a friendly, conversational style" uses positive expression, plain language, and a "you" attitude.

Quiz 2: Planning Business Messages

Which of the following is most acceptable for business writing?

A business message should be long because quantity enhances quality.

As employees conduct more business using instant messaging, they should send messages that are informal, conversational, and

Which of the following represents the best business writing?

Business writers who use words such as conceptualize, remuneration, and terminate are using language many readers would consider

To be effective, the three phases of the writing process must be performed in sequence, moving from Phase 1 to Phase 2 to Phase 3 in order.

As you become a more skilled and experienced business writer, you will be more likely to alter, compress, and rearrange the writing process steps to suit your needs.

Marketing Director Kiprova will inform the board of directors that customers are not responding positive to the company's Paris Hilton ads. Which of the following is the most appropriate announcement?

Business writers are encouraged to use plain English, which means

The ability to prepare concise, audience-centered, persuasive, and purposeful messages comes naturally.

Alonso needs to get feedback from sales representatives located across the U.S. and Europe. Because he needs to have the most interactivity and feedback possible, the best channel of communication for Alonso is videoconferencing or teleconferencing.

Jorge must inform Samantha that she is not eligible to have an August vacation for which she recently applied. Which of the following sentences best demonstrates the "you" view Jorge should use in denying Samantha's application?

The primary purposes of most business documents are to inform and to promote goodwill. A common secondary purpose is sales growth.

Create a conversational but professional tone in letters, e-mail messages, instant messages, and memos by

An important aspect of the first phase of writing a business message is anticipating the audience's reaction to the message.

Shannon is writing a proposal to try to convince the board of directors to upgrade the company's computer equipment. After completing the prewriting phase, Shannon should immediately start composing the report.

The final task in the third phase of the writing process is evaluating your message to decide whether it accomplishes your goal.

Which of the following is most acceptable for business writing?

Most writers spend equal amounts of time on each of the three phases of the writing process: prewriting, writing, and revising.

Francisco is writing an article for the company's intranet to encourage managers to use plain English. Which of these sentences uses an appropriate business style to express Francisco's point?