Deck 8: Revising and Presenting Your Writing

Question 1

Commas are used to offset clauses that are essential to the sentence.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

As a business writer, your goal is to make your writing clear and challenging.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Style is created through content and organization, but also involves word choice and grammatical structures.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

In evaluating someone else's writing, first evaluate how well the document fulfills its stated goals.

Question 5

The period is the most versatile of all punctuation marks.

Question 6

There is nothing wrong with mixing tenses in a sentence if the action is intended to take place at different times.

Question 7

Word processing spell checkers do not catch all errors.

Question 8

Because contractions are associated with an informal style, they are appropriate for professional writing.

Question 9

Simple writing often uses prepositional phrases in an attempt to make a sentence sound important.

Question 10

Too many qualifiers can expose you to liability, but too few can weaken your writing.

Question 11

The serial comma is typically required in journalism and typically omitted in academic writing.

Question 12

Parallel construction refers to the use of same grammatical pattern.

Question 13

Simple writing is synonymous with simplistic writing.

Question 14

Excessive reliance on clichés will make your writing trite.

Question 15

Modifiers that are misplaced are not lost, they are simply in the wrong place.

Question 16

News organizations and magazines employ professional fact-checkers.

Question 17

Business writing is professional, respectful, and clearly communicates a message with maximum breakdown.

Question 18

In the English language, when the main action in a sentence is negative, it is correct to express the other elements in the sentence negatively as well.

Question 19

Your conclusion should mirror your introduction and introduce new material.

Question 20

A cursory review of the content, organization, style, and readability elements in and of itself is sufficient for even the briefest review.

Question 21

Verb tense:

A) is the form of verb without a reference to time.
B) in its standard form, includes the auxiliary word "to."
C) uses two negatives to communicate a single idea.
D) converts to another word when representing the past tense.
E) refers to the point in time where action occurs.

Question 22

Which of the following about commas is false?

A) They are used to separate two independent clauses joined by a conjunction.
B) They are used to offset words that help create unity across a sentence.
C) They are often used to separate more than one adjective modifying a noun.
D) They are used to offset clauses that are essential to the sentence.
E) They are used in dialogue sequences.

Question 23

"Jeri didn't do nothing" is an example of an) _____.

A) verb tense
B) irregular verb
C) dangling modifier
D) double negative
E) split infinitive

Question 24

This is probably the most versatile of all punctuation marks; it means you as a writer can use your judgment in many cases as to whether you need it or not.

A) Comma
B) Apostrophe
C) Period
D) Hyphen
E) Colon

Question 25

Some of today's word processing programs incorporate many proofreading symbols in their menus.

Question 26

What is the most embarrassing error in business writing?

A) Giving the wrong date
B) Matching the date with the wrong day of the week
C) Misspelling someone's name
D) Missing words
E) Missing punctuation at the end of the sentence

Question 27

Many authors, particularly those new to the writing process, see the written word as an extension of self.

Question 28

What is the use of semicolons?

A) They can be used to separate two independent clauses.
B) They are used to offset clauses that are not essential to the sentence.
C) They are used to separate more than one adjective modifying a noun.
D) They replace letters omitted in a contraction.
E) They indicate relationships among groups of items in a series when the individual items are separated by commas.

Question 29

The first point presented in a paragraph is often the most important.

Question 30

Framing represents the normative expectations for a specific type of document.

Question 31

Line justification involves where the text lines up on the page.

Question 32

Sans serif fonts, such as Times New Roman and Garamond, are often easier to read, especially when the font size is small.

Question 33

General revision requires attention to all of the following main categories except _____.

A) content
B) technology
C) organization
D) style
E) readability

Question 34

Which of the following is an example of a misplaced modifier?

A) Between the twins, Mackenzie is the fastest of the two.
B) Katy leaped onto the stage to introduce the presentation.
C) After painting all day, the table was admired by Mark.
D) Sales have not been consistent and they doesn't reflect your work and effort.
E) Without wanting to be rude, it was difficult to leave early.

Question 35

If you can include visual aids such as graphics and pictures in your document, the visual should illustrate the text and should be placed near the words.

Question 36

Phrasing disagreement as a question is often an effective response strategy.

Question 37

Which of the following about evaluating style is true?

A) Style addresses the central questions of who, what, where, when, why and how within the range and parameters of the assignment.
B) Your document may use any of a wide variety of style principles, such as chronological, spatial, or compare/contrast.
C) Style is created through content and organization and involves word choice and grammatical structures.
D) Style refers to the reader's ability to comprehend the document.
E) Standard styles include an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Question 38

Avoid the use of "I" in your evaluation, oral or written, as it can put the recipient on the defensive.

Question 39

Which of the following is false about long sentences?

A) By revising long sentences you can often increase the overall clarity of your document.
B) Simple sentences often become compound and complex through the use of the word "and."
C) In business writing, the goals aim more toward precision and the elimination of error.
D) A good business document will not read like a college essay.
E) Choppy writing does the job with a minimum of fuss and without decoration.

Question 40

Focus on the document as a product, and avoid associating the author with it.

Question 41

In evaluating the facts cited in the document _____.

A) what purpose does the document fulfill?
B) is the writer's explanation of a particular detail logical and sufficient?
C) does the writer credit the sources of statistics and numbers?
D) what role will this document have in future business activities or decisions?
E) do you see the goals carried out in the document?

Question 42

In reviewing the instructions that were given to the writer, which of the following questions should you ask yourself?

A) As a reader, do you see the goals carried out in the document?
B) If you didn't know the writer and you were to find the document next year in a file where you were searching for information, would it provide you with the information it aims to convey?
C) What resources did the writer have access to, and how much time was allotted for completing the assignment?
D) Does the writer explain why a particular detail is significant?
E) Does the writer credit the sources of facts, statistics, and numbers?

Question 43

_____ refers to the use of the same grammatical pattern; it can be applied to words, phrases, and sentences.

A) Dangling construction
B) A prepositional phrase
C) Parallel construction
D) Assumed similarity
E) Mixed sentence pattern

Question 44

An) _____ is a declaration, statement, or claim of fact.

A) assertion
B) acculturation
C) modifier
D) rhetoric
E) qualifier

Question 45

What is the first step in evaluating someone else's writing?

A) Evaluate how well the writing carries out the assignment.
B) Evaluate assertions.
C) Check facts.
D) Look for errors.
E) Understand the assignment.

Question 46

Phrasing your evaluation as a question:

A) deemphasizes your need to understand.
B) places the emphasis on the author.
C) does not allow for dialogue.
D) is an ineffective response strategy.
E) provides the author with space to respond in a collaborative fashion.

Question 47

In their best-selling book The Elements of Style, William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White emphasize _____ as a central goal.

A) credibility
B) mutuality
C) netiquette
D) clarity
E) scarcity

Question 48

Shannon and Weaver pioneered the _____ model of communication that revolutionized our understanding of interaction and contributed to computer interfaces as we know them today.

A) creative
B) transactional
C) indirect
D) interactive
E) linear

Question 49

"Actions speak louder than words" is an example of an) _____.

A) jargon
B) slang
C) filler
D) cliché
E) euphemism

Question 50

"Inside the building security perimeter" is an example of an) _____ phrase.

A) appositive
B) absolute
C) participial
D) infinitive
E) prepositional

Question 51

In using "I" statements in your evaluation:

A) the emphasis is on the sentence.
B) all the author may perceive is, "I am an awful writer."
C) the author will fail to pay attention to your message.
D) the author will fail to pay attention to the sentence under examination.
E) the emphasis is on the speaker.

Question 52

What is the last step in evaluation?

A) Evaluate how well the writing carries out the assignment.
B) Evaluate assertions.
C) Check facts.
D) Look for errors.
E) Understand the assignment.

Question 53

Which of the following about qualifiers is true?

A) Some qualifiers are necessary, particularly if the document serves as record or may be the point of discussion in a legal issue.
B) Too many qualifiers can expose you to liability.
C) In some cases direct language is required, and so qualifiers must be used.
D) Too few qualifiers can weaken your writing.
E) Qualifiers are unnecessary and redundant.

Question 54

By asking which question would you evaluate the assertions made in the document?

A) What resources did the writer have access to, and how much time was allotted for completing the assignment?
B) If the writer explains why a particular detail is significant, is the explanation logical and sufficient?
C) Does the writer credit the sources of facts, statistics, and numbers?
D) What role will this document have in future business activities or decisions?
E) As a reader, do you see the goals carried out in the document?

Question 55

"We found the seminar interesting, entertaining, and inspiring" is an example of a sentence with _____.

A) dangling construction
B) a prepositional phrase
C) parallel construction
D) assumed similarity
E) mixed sentence pattern

Question 56

A _____ is a word or phrase that through its overuse has lost its impact.

A) slang
B) jargon
C) cliché
D) filler
E) euphemism

Question 57

Which of the following about prepositional phrases is false?

A) Simple writing often uses prepositional phrases in an attempt to make a sentence sound important.
B) They are phrases composed of a preposition and its object.
C) Prepositional phrases are necessary.
D) It would be difficult to write without them.
E) Some prepositional phrases add to the bottom line word count without adding much to the sentence.

Question 58

Business writing:

A) is expository.
B) is wordy.
C) is decorative.
D) clearly communicates a message with maximal breakdown.
E) is professional and respectful.

Question 59

As a reader, in evaluating how well the document fulfills its stated goals, _____.

A) what purpose did the document need to fulfill?
B) does the writer explain why a particular detail is significant?
C) does the writer credit the sources of facts, statistics, and numbers?
D) what role will this document have in future business activities or decisions?
E) do you see the objectives carried out in the document?

Question 60

Which of the following is false about delivering an evaluation of someone else's written work?

A) Avoid the use of the word "you" in your evaluation, oral or written, as it can put the recipient on the defensive.
B) If you phrase an evaluation point as, "Why did you include this word here?" it can be interpreted as a personal attack.
C) Phrasing disagreement as a question is often an effective response strategy.
D) Focus on the document as a product, an "it," and avoid associating the author with it.
E) Business writing produces products and all products can be improved, the same as every author can separate messenger from message.

Question 61

Which of the following is a serif typeface?

A) Arial
B) Standard
C) Calibri
D) Times New Roman
E) Helvetica

Question 62

Which of the following is false with regard to line justification?

A) Letters often have a left justify, lining up the text on the left side of the page.
B) Left and right justify can produce large gaps between words, making the sentences appear awkward and to read.
C) When the ends of each line on the right side are "ragged," it creates uneven spaces between words and gives the appearance of organization while promoting black space.
D) Balance between text often black) and white space creates contrast and allows for areas of emphasis.
E) Left justify often produces the appearance of balance, as the words are evenly spaced.

Question 63

Sans serif fonts:

A) are mainly used for text.
B) serve the purpose of differentiating characters that could otherwise look similar.
C) are most commonly used for headings.
D) are often easier to read.
E) have a small cross line, often perpendicular to the stroke of the letter.

Question 64

In traditional publishing, what are the final stages a book undergoes before it is published?

A) Research and organizing
B) Writing and revising
C) Revising and formatting
D) Organizing and writing
E) Proofreading and design

Question 65

Why is it necessary to delete repetitious words? How can you avoid using repetitious words?

Question 66

Which of the following is false with regard to design evaluation?

A) The template of a page influences how information is received.
B) Margins create space around the edge and help draw attention to the content.
C) One-inch margins are standard.
D) Template expectations are distinct from audience expectation, though they are often related.
E) Most software programs have templates for basic documents.

Question 67

Which of the following about paragraphs is true?

A) The first point presented is often the most important.
B) Effective paragraphs can provide an effective emphasis strategy.
C) The second point is often the second in importance.
D) To give the document visual variety and to emphasize key information, always use all caps for body text.
E) The third point in a series of three is the least important.

Question 68

_____ are the basic organizational unit for presenting and emphasizing the key points in a document.

A) Headings
B) Sentences
C) Typefaces
D) Templates
E) Paragraphs

Question 69

The space on the page free of the text is called _____ space.

A) white
B) textbox
C) gray
D) window
E) black

Question 70

Which of the following about templates is true?

A) They influence how information is received.
B) They refer to how information is presented.
C) There are two general categories of templates.
D) They have spaces that establish where a date should be indicated.
E) They are the basic organizational unit for presenting the key points in a document.

Question 71

_____ represent the normative expectations for a specific type of document.

A) Frames
B) Typefaces
C) Templates
D) Serifs
E) Sans serifs

Question 72

_____ refers to how information is presented, including margins, line justifications, and template expectations.

A) Typeface
B) Framing
C) Outline
D) Compiling
E) Gatekeeping

Question 73

What are punctuation marks? What are the three most commonly used punctuation marks? Describe one usage of each with an example.

Question 74

_____ refers to design of symbols, including letters and numbers.

A) Framing
B) Textbox
C) Object
D) Page layout
E) Typeface

Question 75

What are the key elements in a document that require revision? Briefly describe each.
a. Evaluate content-Content will address the central questions of who, what, where, when, why and how within the range and parameters of the assignment.
b. Evaluate organization-Organization is a key aspect of any document. Standard formats that include an introduction, body, and conclusion may be part of your document, but you have to decide on using either a direct or indirect approach. A direct approach will announce the main point at the beginning, while an indirect approach will present an introduction before the main point. Your document may use any of a wide variety of organizing principles, such as chronological, spatial, or compare/contrast. Beyond the overall organization, pay special attention to transitions. Finally, your conclusion should mirror your introduction and not introduce new material.
c. Evaluate style-Style is created through content and organization, but also involves word choice and grammatical structures. If you are collaborating on the project with other writers, pay special attention to unifying the document across the different authors' styles of writing.
d. Evaluate readability-Readability refers to the reader's ability to read and comprehend the document. A variety of tools are available to make an estimate of a document's reading level. You can often use the Tools menu of your word processing program to determine the approximate reading level of your document. Your concerted effort to choose words you perceive as appropriate for the audience will serve you better than any computer evaluation of your writing.

Question 76

Compare and contrast dangling modifiers versus misplaced modifiers. Give one example of each.

Question 77

In their best-selling book The Elements of Style, William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White state the following as one of their rules: "Do not break sentences in two." Explain.

Question 78

A _____ is a small cross line, often perpendicular to the stroke of the letter, which is decorative but also makes the letter easier to read.

A) monospaced font
B) serif
C) cursive
D) sans serif
E) frame

Question 79

Which of the following is a sans serif typeface?

A) Arial
B) Garamond
C) Antiqua
D) Times New Roman
E) Lucida Bright

Question 80

_____ involves where the text lines up on the page.

A) Typeface
B) Word wrap
C) Line spacing
D) Page layout
E) Line justification