Question 1

Why are paragraphs that are too long or too short ineffective in business writing?

Accepted Answer

Paragraphs that are too long look boring

Question 2

A sentence lacks parallelism if similar ideas are expressed using different grammatical structures.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

A paragraph is a visual unit because it

Accepted Answer

A)  discusses only one topic but does so in great detail. 
B)  uses white space to enhance readability. 
C)  signals readers to pause and digest the information it contains. 
D)  adds coherence to the document's unity. 
E)  uses a single typeface for emphasis and subordination. 
A)  discusses only one topic but does so in great detail. 
B)  uses white space to enhance readability. 
C)  signals readers to pause and digest the information it contains. 
D)  adds coherence to the document's unity. 
E)  uses a single typeface for emphasis and subordination.

Question 4

Which of the following is not a correct statement about paragraphs?

Accepted Answer

A)  They should discuss one to three major topics. 
B)  They are both a logical unit and a visual unit. 
C)  A series of extremely short paragraphs can weaken coherence. 
D)  Paragraph length should be determined by your Rhetorical Considerations and the needs of your reader. 
E)  Excessively long paragraphs look boring and difficult. 
A)  They should discuss one to three major topics. 
B)  They are both a logical unit and a visual unit. 
C)  A series of extremely short paragraphs can weaken coherence. 
D)  Paragraph length should be determined by your Rhetorical Considerations and the needs of your reader. 
E)  Excessively long paragraphs look boring and difficult.

Question 5

Writing "I am sure that you will agree" in a business letter conveys an appropriate level of confidence.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Which guideline or statement about vigorous language is not correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  Use buzzwords frequently in written documents. 
B)  Eliminate language that lacks freshness and originality. 
C)  Use vigorous words to maintain the reader's interest. 
D)  Select words that have a definite, unambiguous meaning. 
E)  Avoid general words such as recently and several. 
A)  Use buzzwords frequently in written documents. 
B)  Eliminate language that lacks freshness and originality. 
C)  Use vigorous words to maintain the reader's interest. 
D)  Select words that have a definite, unambiguous meaning. 
E)  Avoid general words such as recently and several.

Question 7

Effective communicators do not signal which of the ideas in a message are the most important,because readers should be encouraged to draw their own conclusions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

To emphasize an idea in a document,you can

Accepted Answer

A)  put it in a simple sentence. 
B)  explain it in the second clause of a compound sentence. 
C)  position it after the topic sentence. 
D)  use parallel structure. 
E)  refer to it using the proper pronouns. 
A)  put it in a simple sentence. 
B)  explain it in the second clause of a compound sentence. 
C)  position it after the topic sentence. 
D)  use parallel structure. 
E)  refer to it using the proper pronouns.

Question 9

Which of the following is not a good guideline for writing clearly?

Accepted Answer

A)  Be sure the message is accurate and complete. 
B)  Use familiar words and phrases. 
C)  Emphasize compound sentences. 
D)  Avoid dangling expressions. 
E)  Eliminate unnecessary jargon. 
A)  Be sure the message is accurate and complete. 
B)  Use familiar words and phrases. 
C)  Emphasize compound sentences. 
D)  Avoid dangling expressions. 
E)  Eliminate unnecessary jargon.

Question 10

When each sentence flows smoothly from the sentence before it and connects smoothly to the sentence after it,the resulting paragraph has coherence.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Which statement about positive language is not correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is more likely to help achieve your objectives than negative language. 
B)  It builds and maintains goodwill between you and your reader. 
C)  It often provides more information than negative language. 
D)  It stresses what can be done instead of what cannot be done. 
E)  It detracts from your ability to persuade the reader. 
A)  It is more likely to help achieve your objectives than negative language. 
B)  It builds and maintains goodwill between you and your reader. 
C)  It often provides more information than negative language. 
D)  It stresses what can be done instead of what cannot be done. 
E)  It detracts from your ability to persuade the reader.

Question 12

Your message will have a confident tone if you

Accepted Answer

A)  believe that your decision is based on sound logic. 
B)  start the topic sentence with "I hope." 
C)  use self-conscious words and phrases. 
D)  demonstrate arrogance. 
E)  use transitional expressions to connect related ideas. 
A)  believe that your decision is based on sound logic. 
B)  start the topic sentence with "I hope." 
C)  use self-conscious words and phrases. 
D)  demonstrate arrogance. 
E)  use transitional expressions to connect related ideas.

Question 13

Concrete language is vigorous only if it is sufficiently emotionally charged to stimulate a response.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Using a similar grammatical structure for similar ideas is

Accepted Answer

A)  parallelism. 
B)  subordination. 
C)  active voice. 
D)  compounding. 
E)  insubordination. 
A)  parallelism. 
B)  subordination. 
C)  active voice. 
D)  compounding. 
E)  insubordination.

Question 15

Writers should ask themselves "What's in it for me?" and then write so that the answer is obvious.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

The appropriate length of a paragraph in a business document depends on

Accepted Answer

A)  the needs of the reader rather than the convenience of the writer. 
B)  the benefits being offered to the reader. 
C)  the logical and visual units being developed by the writer. 
D)  how many different ideas are being introduced and supported. 
E)  which ideas are being emphasized and in what order. 
A)  the needs of the reader rather than the convenience of the writer. 
B)  the benefits being offered to the reader. 
C)  the logical and visual units being developed by the writer. 
D)  how many different ideas are being introduced and supported. 
E)  which ideas are being emphasized and in what order.

Question 17

Discuss the following principle: "Prefer positive language." Specifically,what are the general assumptions and guidelines? What words should you avoid?

Accepted Answer

Positive language is more likely than ne

Question 18

A series of short paragraphs helps readers maintain a rhythm in their reading when they are absorbing many new ideas.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Active voice is a good way to emphasize

Accepted Answer

A)  the parallel structure of the active verbs. 
B)  the doer of the action. 
C)  the receiver of the action. 
D)  the independent clause of a complex sentence. 
E)  the major idea in a topic sentence. 
A)  the parallel structure of the active verbs. 
B)  the doer of the action. 
C)  the receiver of the action. 
D)  the independent clause of a complex sentence. 
E)  the major idea in a topic sentence.

Question 20

The point of sentence variety is to

Accepted Answer

A)  subordinate negative language within the document. 
B)  balance lengthy jargon phrases with more familiar language. 
C)  retain the goodwill of your readers. 
D)  mix the subjunctive mood with more abstract language. 
E)  keep readers interested and clarify relationships between ideas. 
A)  subordinate negative language within the document. 
B)  balance lengthy jargon phrases with more familiar language. 
C)  retain the goodwill of your readers. 
D)  mix the subjunctive mood with more abstract language. 
E)  keep readers interested and clarify relationships between ideas.

Why are paragraphs that are too long or too short ineffective in business writing?

A sentence lacks parallelism if similar ideas are expressed using different grammatical structures.

A paragraph is a visual unit because it

Which of the following is not a correct statement about paragraphs?

Writing "I am sure that you will agree" in a business letter conveys an appropriate level of confidence.

Which guideline or statement about vigorous language is not correct?

Effective communicators do not signal which of the ideas in a message are the most important,because readers should be encouraged to draw their own conclusions.

To emphasize an idea in a document,you can

Which of the following is not a good guideline for writing clearly?

When each sentence flows smoothly from the sentence before it and connects smoothly to the sentence after it,the resulting paragraph has coherence.

Which statement about positive language is not correct?

Your message will have a confident tone if you

Concrete language is vigorous only if it is sufficiently emotionally charged to stimulate a response.

Using a similar grammatical structure for similar ideas is

Writers should ask themselves "What's in it for me?" and then write so that the answer is obvious.

The appropriate length of a paragraph in a business document depends on

Discuss the following principle: "Prefer positive language." Specifically,what are the general assumptions and guidelines? What words should you avoid?

A series of short paragraphs helps readers maintain a rhythm in their reading when they are absorbing many new ideas.

Active voice is a good way to emphasize

The point of sentence variety is to

Understanding Business Communication

Intercultural and Team Communication

Interpersonal Communication Skills

The Writing Process

Neutral and Positive Messages

Persuasive Messages

Bad-News Messages

Planning the Report and Managing Data

Writing the Report

Oral Presentation

Employment Communication

Filters

Exam 5: Revising Your Writing

Why are paragraphs that are too long or too short ineffective in business writing?

A sentence lacks parallelism if similar ideas are expressed using different grammatical structures.

A paragraph is a visual unit because it

Which of the following is not a correct statement about paragraphs?

Writing "I am sure that you will agree" in a business letter conveys an appropriate level of confidence.

Which guideline or statement about vigorous language is not correct?

Effective communicators do not signal which of the ideas in a message are the most important,because readers should be encouraged to draw their own conclusions.

To emphasize an idea in a document,you can

Which of the following is not a good guideline for writing clearly?

When each sentence flows smoothly from the sentence before it and connects smoothly to the sentence after it,the resulting paragraph has coherence.

Which statement about positive language is not correct?

Your message will have a confident tone if you

Concrete language is vigorous only if it is sufficiently emotionally charged to stimulate a response.

Using a similar grammatical structure for similar ideas is

Writers should ask themselves "What's in it for me?" and then write so that the answer is obvious.

The appropriate length of a paragraph in a business document depends on

Discuss the following principle: "Prefer positive language." Specifically,what are the general assumptions and guidelines? What words should you avoid?

A series of short paragraphs helps readers maintain a rhythm in their reading when they are absorbing many new ideas.

Active voice is a good way to emphasize

The point of sentence variety is to

Understanding Business Communication

Intercultural and Team Communication

Interpersonal Communication Skills

The Writing Process

Neutral and Positive Messages

Persuasive Messages

Bad-News Messages

Planning the Report and Managing Data

Writing the Report

Oral Presentation

Employment Communication

Filters