Deck 9: Writing With Professional Excellence

Question 1

Cover letters should be written in the form of a

A) business report.
B) business memo.
C) personal letter.
D) business letter.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Press releases are used to

A) apologize to the public.
B) announce job openings to agencies.
C) make announcements to the media.
D) assure the public that the company is in compliance.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Luke tells his team that they need to be more productive. Which is the best statement Luke could make to clarify that request?

A) "Each of you needs to generate three reports per week."
B) "Be more productive or you will be demoted."
C) "More productivity will increase the chance of a bonus."
D) "Each of you needs to work harder."

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which of the following is a type of quantitative data?

A) interview transcript
B) survey results
C) open-ended comments
D) phrases

Question 5

"Dr. Black's teacher evaluation scores ranked in the top 2% of the entire University results" is an example of using

A) general language.
B) a summary.
C) a vivid illustration.
D) specific language.

Question 6

Ted is writing a business request for his boss and is worrying about whether he should send his message by hard copy or e-mail. Also, Ted is not sure when to send his request. Ted is worrying about the _________ of his message.

A) timing
B) delivery
C) purpose
D) language

Question 7

What type of people should you use for letters of recommendation?

A) teachers
B) previous employers
C) business professionals
D) all of the above

Question 8

Which of the following would likely be included in an external communication plan?

A) employee orientation
B) meeting agenda
C) company update
D) proactive media strategy

Question 9

Message clarity within written communication begins with

A) organization.
B) purpose.
C) proofreading.
D) outlining.

Question 10

Which of the following should NOT be included on a business letter with price quote?

A) scope of work
B) clarifications
C) deadline for payment
D) breakdown of costs

Question 11

What is the purpose of a business letter for employee downsizing?

A) to inform other businesses about skilled employees available for employment
B) to inform employees they are being downsized
C) to motivate employees to increase value and production
D) to inform shareholders about company business

Question 12

How far in advance should letters of recommendation be requested?

A) 1 week or less
B) at least 2 weeks
C) at least a month
D) 2 months or more

Question 13

Memos should be sent

A) to everyone in the company.
B) as frequently as possible
C) for critical information only.
D) to reprimand employees.

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of an external communication plan?

A) a company-wide e-mail explaining how to file a grievance with a superior
B) an employee drafting a new communication chart for the department
C) a department's new outline on drafting press releases
D) a memo detailing the company's policy on Internet use

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT part of the components of a writing startup sheet?

A) purpose
B) audience
C) delivery
D) proofreading

Question 16

Linda's organization has just changed their policy on reporting overtime. Linda should include the information about the new policy in a(n)

A) process directive.
B) internal letter.
C) external memo.
D) proactive memo.

Question 17

The most professional thank-you letters are

A) e-mailed for quick delivery.
B) sent with a full letter.
C) handwritten.
D) delivered in person.

Question 18

An employee's positive performance should be documented in a(n).

A) employee review.
B) internal memo.
C) business letter.
D) thank-you letter.

Question 19

Proactive media writing is a form of written communication similar to a press release that emphasizes an organization's commitment to

A) safety and compliance.
B) harming the environment.
C) industry standards.
D) city governments.

Question 20

Dan was recently fired from his job after it was found out that he borrowed heavily from another coworker on his business proposal (without giving proper credit). Dan crossed the ethical boundary of

A) copying.
B) plagiarism.
C) stealing.
D) none of the above

Question 21

Writing startup sheets are used for employees to begin outlining press releases.

Question 22

Job applicants should use the business letter format of written communication to write cover letters for job applications.

Question 23

When would you want to use qualitative data in a business proposal?

A) when highlighting consumer feedback on a product
B) when outlining the sales growth percentage for a product
C) when comparing the gross versus net profits of a product
D) when identifying the highest sales via customer demographics on a product

Question 24

John recently assessed several important issues facing his department and sent his findings to his superior. This is an example of a(n)

A) proposal.
B) report.
C) planning document.
D) assessment.

Question 25

What does strategic planning encourage the development of?

A) goals
B) initiative
C) strategies
D) all of the above

Question 26

Which of the following is an example of a networking note?

A) a note expressing appreciation to a coworker
B) a note thanking a customer for their business
C) a note offering new products and services to a community
D) a note reminding an employer about your interview and qualifications

Question 27

Written proposals should only include bulleted lists of objectives.

Question 28

Excellent written communication begins by reflecting on the general purpose.

Question 29

Interview data is a type of qualitative information included in business reports.

Question 30

Striving for written communication excellence involves paying attention to

A) message structure.
B) message clarity.
C) message presentation.
D) all of the above

Question 31

Why is written communication important?

Question 32

"Come to my office to discuss the future" is an example of

A) general language.
B) specific language.
C) authoritarian language.
D) democratic language.

Question 33

Describe a situation in which a company would be advised to release proactive media writing.

Question 34

What should be included in employee reviews?

Question 35

Using general language in written communication can often lead to misunderstandings.

Question 36

Anyone being asked to write a letter of recommendation should be specifically asked if they would be willing to write a favorable letter.

Question 37

Thank-you notes should be sent after you have received a job offer.

Question 38

What question do you need to answer in order to identify your specific purpose or thesis statement of your intended message?

A) What do I want to say?
B) What is the key message I want my audience to take away?
C) Why am I writing this?
D) none of the above

Question 39

E-mail communication carries less formal expectations than written communication.

Question 40

Process directives are a form of written communication that addresses changes in company policies.

Question 41

Process directives are filed as official documents of organizational policy.

Question 42

This is a short note or update distributed in business.

A) thank-you letter
B) memo
C) e-mail
D) text

Question 43

A(n) ___________________ is a plan that focuses on communication taking place inside the daily operations of any given business.

A) internal communication plan
B) external communication plan
C) communication plan
D) general communication plan

Question 44

Alicia was hoping to get promoted in the next 6 months. She had done all the things she thought she needed to do, and her boss had told her as much in their informal conversations. When her file went up for review, she was denied the promotion because there was no documentation of her achievements and performance on file. Though she appreciated informal praise for her work, what Alicia needed was

A) a boss that went to bat for her.
B) employee reviews in her file.
C) more experience.
D) none of the above

Question 45

A _________________ is a list of questions that encourage the writer to think about audience, purpose, key issues, and delivery.

A) writing startup sheet
B) rough draft
C) general guide
D) outline

Question 46

_________________ makes precise references.

A) Specific language
B) General language
C) Directive language
D) Emergent language

Question 47

________________ are a form of thank-you letter used to remind employers of your interview and to emphasize that you're the right person for the job.

A) Networking notes
B) Brown-nosing notes
C) Follow-up notes
D) none of the above

Question 48

Unlike spoken communication, there is a lasting _____________ to your written communication.

A) impression
B) memory
C) visual element
D) none of the above

Question 49

Excellence in writing requires you to evaluate your audience.

Question 50

________________ are a method of informing employees how they can improve on the job.

A) Formal interviews
B) Informal conversations
C) Employee reviews
D) none of the above