Question 1

In a negative message, we expect the reader to be disappointed or angry.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 2

If you don't have a good reason for a refusal, cite company policy. No one can argue with that.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 3

It's OK to put the bad news in a negative message in the message's buffer.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 4

The purpose of a negative message is to make your reader feel negative about you and your organization.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Which of the following should NOT be included in a bad news memo to your superior?

Accepted Answer

A)  The underlying factors that led to this specific problem. 
B)  Giving the advantages and disadvantages of all the options, if one is not clearly the best. 
C)  A buffer in the opening paragraph. 
D)  A request for approval for the solution you want to implement. 
E)  All of the above should be included. 
A)  The underlying factors that led to this specific problem. 
B)  Giving the advantages and disadvantages of all the options, if one is not clearly the best. 
C)  A buffer in the opening paragraph. 
D)  A request for approval for the solution you want to implement. 
E)  All of the above should be included.

Question 6

Which of the following is the BEST subject line for a message announcing layoffs?

Accepted Answer

A)  Important Information! 
B)  Good News for Some Employees 
C)  You Should Read This Now 
D)  Reduction in Workforce Planned 
E)  None of the above; deliver the news orally to affected employees, and follow up with a message on severance pay or the like. 
A)  Important Information! 
B)  Good News for Some Employees 
C)  You Should Read This Now 
D)  Reduction in Workforce Planned 
E)  None of the above; deliver the news orally to affected employees, and follow up with a message on severance pay or the like.

Question 7

For a memo with a negative message, the reader's reaction can be influenced by which of the following factors?

Accepted Answer

A)  Do you and the reader have a good relationship? 
B)  Does the organization treat people well? 
C)  Have readers been warned of possible negatives? 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  Only A and B 
A)  Do you and the reader have a good relationship? 
B)  Does the organization treat people well? 
C)  Have readers been warned of possible negatives? 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  Only A and B

Question 8

One way to avoid psychological reactance is to bury the refusal.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

No serious negative message should come as a complete surprise to readers, who should be prepped for the news by earlier messages or communication about the potential problem.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

In negative message memos to peers and subordinates, the reader's reaction is influenced by all of the following questions EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  Do you and the reader have a good relationship? 
B)  Does the organization treat people well? 
C)  Have readers "bought into" the criteria for a decision? 
D)  Do communications after the negative build goodwill? 
E)  All of these are questions that influence readers. 
A)  Do you and the reader have a good relationship? 
B)  Does the organization treat people well? 
C)  Have readers "bought into" the criteria for a decision? 
D)  Do communications after the negative build goodwill? 
E)  All of these are questions that influence readers.

Question 11

If one is available, it's a good idea to give a(n) ___________ in a negative message.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If one is available, it's a good...

Question 12

List and explain the pattern of organization typically used for negative messages to peers and subordinates

Accepted Answer

The pattern of organization typically us

Question 13

Letters don't require subject lines, so you can omit a subject line in a negative message unless you think audiences will ignore the message.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

How we present negatives and what we write or say can affect how audiences respond to our messages.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

A good alternative in a negative message allows the reader to react in a way that doesn't hurt you.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a negative message?

Accepted Answer

A)  Price increase announcement. 
B)  Sales letter. 
C)  Product recall notice. 
D)  Disciplinary notice. 
E)  None of the above are negative messages. 
A)  Price increase announcement. 
B)  Sales letter. 
C)  Product recall notice. 
D)  Disciplinary notice. 
E)  None of the above are negative messages.

Question 17

Negative messages limit the reader's freedom.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Though many workers are under stress today, the reality is that few of them will react angrily to bad news.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Psychological reactance is more of a problem with younger employees than older ones because older employees have the experience to deal with their disappointment maturely.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

A secondary purpose of a negative message is to build a good image of the writer's organization.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 11: Negative Messages

In a negative message, we expect the reader to be disappointed or angry.

If you don't have a good reason for a refusal, cite company policy. No one can argue with that.

It's OK to put the bad news in a negative message in the message's buffer.

The purpose of a negative message is to make your reader feel negative about you and your organization.

Which of the following should NOT be included in a bad news memo to your superior?

Which of the following is the BEST subject line for a message announcing layoffs?

For a memo with a negative message, the reader's reaction can be influenced by which of the following factors?

One way to avoid psychological reactance is to bury the refusal.

No serious negative message should come as a complete surprise to readers, who should be prepped for the news by earlier messages or communication about the potential problem.

In negative message memos to peers and subordinates, the reader's reaction is influenced by all of the following questions EXCEPT

If one is available, it's a good idea to give a(n) ___________ in a negative message.

List and explain the pattern of organization typically used for negative messages to peers and subordinates

Letters don't require subject lines, so you can omit a subject line in a negative message unless you think audiences will ignore the message.

How we present negatives and what we write or say can affect how audiences respond to our messages.

A good alternative in a negative message allows the reader to react in a way that doesn't hurt you.

Which of the following is NOT a negative message?

Negative messages limit the reader's freedom.

Though many workers are under stress today, the reality is that few of them will react angrily to bad news.

Psychological reactance is more of a problem with younger employees than older ones because older employees have the experience to deal with their disappointment maturely.

A secondary purpose of a negative message is to build a good image of the writer's organization.

Business Communication, Management, and Success

Adapting Your Message to Your Audience

Communicating Across Cultures

Planning, Writing, and Revising

Designing Documents, Slides, and Screens

You-Attitude

Positive Emphasis

Reader Benefits

Formats for Letters, Memos, and E-Mail Messages

Informative and Positive Messages

Persuasive Messages

E-Mail Messages and Web Writing

Editing for Grammar and Punctuation

Choosing the Right Word

Revising Sentences and Paragraphs

Listening

Working and Writing in Teams

Planning, Conducting, and Recording Meetings

Making Oral Presentations

Making Oral Presentations

Finding, Analyzing, and Documenting Information

Short Reports

Long Reports

Using Visuals

Researching Jobs

Résumés

Job Application Letters

Job Interviews

Follow-Up Letters and Calls and Job Offers

Filters