Business Writing Exam Preparation Guide
Course Introduction
Business Writing is designed to develop students' ability to communicate effectively in a professional setting through clear, concise, and articulate written documents. The course covers the fundamentals of business correspondence, including emails, memos, reports, proposals, and executive summaries. Emphasis is placed on audience analysis, tone, organization, and formatting, as well as strategies for persuasive and ethical communication. Students will engage in practical writing exercises, peer reviews, and real-world scenarios to enhance their skills in producing impactful and professional business documents.
Recommended Textbook
Business Communication Process and Product 9th Edition by Mary Ellen Guffey
Available Study Resources on Quizplus
16 Chapters
1840 Verified Questions
1840 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/study-set/874
Page 2
Chapter 1: Business Communication in the Digital Age
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
115 Verified Questions
115 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/17328
Sample Questions
Q1) A company's CEO has developed a five-year strategic plan and will share it with all employees.This is an example of downward communication.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
Q2) Bert is CEO of an organization with many layers in the chain of command.He is looking for ways to reduce these layers so that he can communicate more directly with the first-line employees.What organizational communication barrier is he trying to overcome?
A)Lack of trust between management and employees
B)Long lines of communication
C)Closed communication climate
D)Ego involvement
Answer: B
Q3) Achieving literacy in the digital age means thinking ________ about new media. Answer: critically
Q4) __________ English laws require businesses to write policies,warranties,and contracts in language comprehensible to average readers.
Answer: Plain
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 3
Chapter 2: Professionalism: Team, Meeting, Listening, Nonverbal,
and Etiquette Skills
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
115 Verified Questions
115 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/17329
Sample Questions
Q1) Malcolm is part of a team developing a new smartphone app to track traffic patterns.Because team members are located throughout the country,they don't meet in person.Instead,they use communication technology to collaborate on the project.Because members use technology to stay connected,Malcolm is part of a A)departmental team.
B)cross-functional team.
C)virtual team.
D)self-directed team.
Answer: C
Q2) Eye contact,facial expressions,body movements,space,time,distance,and appearance are all examples of nonverbal communication. A)True
B)False
Answer: True
Q3) _____________ rooms are typically are equipped with three huge curved screens,custom lighting,and advanced acoustics for high-end videoconferencing.
Answer: telepresence
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 4
Chapter 3: Intercultural Communication
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
115 Verified Questions
115 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/17330
Sample Questions
Q1) Many of the world's industrialized countries have formally agreed to a new global treaty that bans the practice of bribery of foreign government officials.What organization promoted this treaty?
A)Central Intelligence Agency
B)World Trade Organization
C)Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
D)Ministry of Industry and Trade
Answer: C
Q2) Once known only for ________ labor,many countries with emerging economies are now seen as promising markets.
Answer: cheap
Q3) Learning more about the powerful effect that culture has on behavior will help you reduce friction and misunderstanding in your dealings with people from other cultures. A)True
B)False
Answer: True
Q4) Today,most companies that are active in global markets have ________ codes of conduct.
Answer: ethical
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 5
Chapter 4: Planning Business Messages
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
115 Verified Questions
115 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/17331
Sample Questions
Q1) Mary is responding to Jim's portion of a team document.Which of the following approaches would be most constructive in suggesting that he make a change?
A)You should revise Section 2 as we discussed.
B)You obviously need more information in Section 2.
C)To improve Section 2,you might consider obtaining more information from Colleen.
D)Do you really think this will work?
Q2) Which of the following statements about business writing is mostaccurate?
A)Business writing is similar to academic writing.
B)When writing business documents,business communicators should recognize that quantity enhances quality.
C)Business writers should have a definite purpose to fulfill in each message.
D)Business writing should be focused on the writer's needs.
Q3) The best feedback to a message is descriptive rather than evaluative.
A)True
B)False
Q4) List the three steps of the 3-x-3 writing process and briefly describe what occurs during each phase.
Q5) Business writing should be purposeful,economical,and ___________ oriented.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 6
Chapter 5: Organizing and Writing Business Messages
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
115 Verified Questions
115 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/17332
Sample Questions
Q1) Melanie is working on a report and has reached Phase 2 of the 3-x-3 writing process.What should she do first in this second phase?
A)Write the rough draft of her report.
B)Decide how to organize the report.
C)Analyze her purpose and audience.
D)Gather any necessary information.
Q2) Alex is working on a report and has reached Phase 2 of the 3-x-3 writing process.What question should he ask while collecting information during this second phase?
A)What does the receiver need to know about the topic?
B)What is the receiver to do and how is the receiver to do it?
C)When must the receiver do it?
D)Alex should ask all of these questions.
Q3) The following sentence contains parallel structure: The policy affected all vendors,suppliers,and those involved with consulting.
A)True
B)False
Q4) ________ involvesrequiring a crowd to evaluate and filter their ideas into a viable product or plan.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 7
Chapter 6: Revising Business Messages
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
115 Verified Questions
115 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/17333
Sample Questions
Q1) Slang and buzzwords in business writing can make you sound unprofessional.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Blake has just written an e-mail message to his colleagues.Before sending it,he wants to make sure that it has high skim value.In doing so,he is checking ________.
A)conciseness
B)format
C)clarity
D)punctuation
Q3) You can control your exuberance in business message by avoidingthe overuse of ________ such as really,very,definitely,quite,completely,extremely,actually,and totally.
Q4) "Zombie nouns" often end in-ion,-ment,and -anceand are useful tools for making messages clear and powerful.
A)True
B)False
Q5) The KISS formula refers to Keep It Short and ________.
Q6) Empty space on a page is called ________ space,which can improve readability.
Q7) The best way to evaluate the success of your communication is through ________.
Page 8
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 7: Electronic Messages and Digital Media
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
115 Verified Questions
115 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/17334
Sample Questions
Q1) E-mail is an effective communication channel for critical work situations such as human resources annual reviews,discipline,and promotions.
A)True
B)False
Q2) ________messaging enables two or more individuals to use the Internet or an intranet to "chat" in real time by exchanging brief text-based messages.
Q3) Including a subject line in an e-mail message is optional because these messages are usually short.
A)True
B)False
Q4) A(n)________ is a website with journal entries usually written by one person with comments added by others.
Q5) Your name at the bottom of an e-mail message is an important part of the closing. A)True
B)False
Q6) Blog posts can benefit from the ________ pattern by emphasizing the big news up front,supported with specifics and background information.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 9
Chapter 8: Positive Messages
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
115 Verified Questions
115 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/17335
Sample Questions
Q1) Phone calls and e-mail messages are usually taken more seriously than a written claim letter.
A)True
B)False
Q2) A phone call or face-to-face visit is a better channel choice than e-mail when you need to ________.
A)convey enthusiasm,warmth,or another emotion
B)smooth over disagreements
C)provide context
D)All of these choices.
Q3) Most routine request and response messages should be organized using the indirect strategy.
A)True
B)False
Q4) ________ messages express thanks,congratulations,recognition,and sympathy.
Q5) Businesses and professionals can take individuals to court for negative comments online.
A)True
B)False
Q6) Goodwill messages should be selfless,specific,sincere,spontaneous,and ________.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 10
Chapter 9: Negative Messages
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
115 Verified Questions
115 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/17336
Sample Questions
Q1) We cannot allow you to return the iPad since you purchased it over 30 days ago effectively uses the passive voice to deliver the bad news.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Chuck sent a letter to a teacher who had requested a tour of his company.In the letter he included the sentence Although we would love to have your class visit our company,much of the work area is too dangerous for group tours.What has Chuck done that might lead to legal difficulties?
A)He has denied a professional request.
B)He has used careless language.
C)He has used abusive language.
D)He has done nothing wrong.
Q3) A good technique for de-emphasizing negative news is to place it at the end of a paragraph.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Several techniques can be used to close a bad-news message positively.List four of these techniques and give an original example of each.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
11
Chapter 10: Persuasive and Sales Messages
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
115 Verified Questions
115 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/17337
Sample Questions
Q1) You can reduce your gasoline expenses by installing our fuel-efficient tires on your vehicleis an example of an emotional appeal.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Which of the following is an effective way for persuasive writers and speakers to establish credibility with an audience?
A)Establish their expertise.
B)Offer counterarguments.
C)Request a response from the receiver.
D)Suggest new ideas,directives,or recommendations for change that will be of interest to the audience.
Q3) When you expect your reader to resist your request,it's best to use the ________ organizational pattern.
Q4) The key ingredient of a press release is ________.
A)advertising
B)research
C)news
D)company benefits
Q5) ________ messages use persuasion to promote specific products and services.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 12
Chapter 11: Report and Research Basics
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
115 Verified Questions
115 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/17338
Sample Questions
Q1) ________ charts show the chain of command,from the boss down to the line managers and employees.
Q2) Short (eight or fewer pages)informal reports addressed to an internal audience are usually presented in _________.
A)memo format
B)manuscript format
C)letter format
D)template format
Q3) Connor has a great idea to raise funds for a community organization,but he is afraid his boss won't support it.Connor's report should be written using the ________ strategy.
Q4) Yes-no questions produce the best results in an interview with an expert.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Business researchers use both primary and secondary data when preparing business reports.Compare these two types of data,describing each source and explaining when each would be used.Then give three examples of each type of data.
Q6) ________ are visual representations of data or information and are a type of report format.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 13
Chapter 12: Informal Business Reports
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
115 Verified Questions
115 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/17339
Sample Questions
Q1) Conclusions will usually be more objective if ________.
A)consistent criteria are used in evaluating options
B)the data are manipulated to support a predetermined outcome
C)the researcher relies on personal experience related to the report problem
D)you use strong language to sensationalize your findings
Q2) Determine the mode of the numbers 30,25,25,45,and 70.
A)195
B)25
C)30
D)39
Q3) Because Kyle is sure that his boss will be interested in his recommendation for a new process to streamline hiring practices,he should organize his recommendation report directly.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Informational reports emphasize facts;________ reports emphasize reasoning and conclusions.
Q5) The most widely read portions of a report are the sections devoted to conclusions and ________.
Q6) ________ and interim reports describe the status of continuing projects.
Page 14
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 13: Proposals, Business Plans, and Formal Business Reports
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
115 Verified Questions
115 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/17340
Sample Questions
Q1) The ________ page of a formal proposal contains the name of the client organization,name of the author,and the date of submission.
Q2) The company description in a business plan should ________.
A)identify the form of your business and its business type
B)discuss market characteristics,trends,projected growth,and barriers to entry
C)explain how the product or service you are providing will benefit customers
D)explain specifically how you will run your business
Q3) In an introduction to a formal report,what section identifies who commissioned the report?
A)Scope
B)Significance
C)Background
D)Authorization
Q4) The company description section of a business plan should identify the form of your business as a proprietorship,partnership,or ________.
Q5) It is acceptable to omit a list of figures in a proposal as long as the proposal contains only a few tables or figures.
A)True
B)False
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 15
Chapter 14: Business Presentations
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
115 Verified Questions
115 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/17341
Sample Questions
Q1) Benjamin will be giving a presentation in class about the history of Google.What organizational pattern will he most likely use?
A)Chronology
B)Simple/complex
C)Geography/space
D)Value/size
Q2) What question(s)should you ask about your audience to determine your pattern,delivery style,and supporting material?
A)What measures must I take to ensure that this audience remembers my main points?
B)How can I earn my audience's respect so that the audience accepts my message?
C)How will this topic appeal to this audience?
D)All of these choices
Q3) In the introduction to her presentation about financial statement analysis,Christina is telling the audience about how many years she has working in the accounting industry.She is doing this to build credibility.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Our old computers are dinosaurs is an example of a(n)________.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
16
Chapter 15: The Job Search, Résumés, and Cover Letters
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
115 Verified Questions
115 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/17342
Sample Questions
Q1) One of the best ways to use LinkedIn is to ________.
A)update your LinkedIn status weekly
B)search for a company in which you are interested
C)refer hiring employees to your LinkedIn site instead of preparing a professional résumé
D)do all of these
Q2) Most recruiters favor a ________ résumé because it quickly reveals a candidate's education and experience.
A)scannable
B)functional
C)chronological
D)online
Q3) Which of the following types of personal information should you consider including on your résumé?
A)Your favorite sports and hobbies
B)A list of all courses you have completed relevant to the position you're applying for
C)Your country of origin
D)Your willingness to travel
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 17
Chapter 16: Interviewing and Following Up
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
115 Verified Questions
115 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/17343
Sample Questions
Q1) In ____________________ interviews,you can expect to sit down with a company representative and talk about the job and your qualifications.
Q2) ________ interviews occur when a company interviews several candidates for the same position at the same time.
Q3) If you are given the opportunity to select your interview day and time,you should pick a Monday or a Friday.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Lucas is preparing several success stories prior to his job interview for a marketing position.Which of the following scenarios would result in the best success story for this position?
A)A story about a lemonade stand that Lucas ran when he was a child
B)A story about working as part of a team in college to prepare a classroom presentation about a company's history
C)A story about volunteering for a local food bank over the holidays
D)A story about developing a new sales technique that increased his customer sales by 30 percent over a six-month period
Q5) Are you married? is an example of a(n)________ (or illegal)question.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 18