Test your basic knowledge |

The Business Writing Process

Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. How much time should a student spend in each writing stage?






2. An imaginative expression that often compares two things that are basically not alike but have at least one thing in common.






3. Sentences can vary in sentence length - word order - loose and periodic sentences






4. Purpose - findings - conclusion - and recommendations






5. Letters - memos - email - instant messages - telephone calls - Faxes - Face-to-face meetings - video conferences - web sites






6. Words or phrases that suddenly become popular and - because of an intense period of overuse - lose their freshness and precisness - E.g. interface (as a verb) - impact (as a verb) - skill sets - deliverables - slam dunk - bleeding edge - cash cow - 2






7. Formal






8. Introduction; list of equipment and materials; steps for your instructions; warnings - cautions - and notes; conclusion






9. Using words like 'most - much - very' with caution - wthout overdoing it.






10. Stages can also be summarized as...






11. What is a Memorandum?






12. Means that extraneous words - phrases - clauses - and sentences have been removed from writing without sacrificing clarity or appropriate detail.






13. What is Indirect Order?






14. Avoid language that attempts to evade responsibility - Avoid deceptive language - Do not deemphasize or suppress important information - Do not emphasize misleading or incorrect information - Avoid using language that is biased - racist - or sexist o






15. How do you present information in message?






16. Goal and audience






17. Identifying your audience - Establishing your purpose - Formulating your message - and Selecting your style (how something is written rather than what is written) and tone (expresses your attitude toward your topic and audience)






18. Clairty






19. What is the best advice for Drafting?






20. How to end an email






21. An inoffensive substitute for a word or phrase that could be distasteful - offensive - or too blunt.






22. Modifiers that repeat an idea implicit or present in the word being modified contribute to wordiness by being redundant (basic essentials - final outcome) - Coordinated synonyms (each and every - first and foremost.) - Expletives - relative pronouns






23. They dentify things that can be perceived by the 5 senses - such as diploma - manager - or keyboard






24. Why Avoid Perfectionism in Drafting?






25. Repeating keywords and key phrases






26. What techniques can be used for gathering information?






27. Make sure your e-mail is confidential and ethical - observe all of the proprietary requirements when using e-mail - use an acceptable format- follow all of the rules of 'netiqette' when answering e-mail - adopt a professional style - ensure that yo






28. What should you know about a Letter?






29. When should email NOT be used?






30. Am I giving the reader too much or too little info? - does this point belong here? - is this point relevant? - am I repeating or contradicting myself? - have I ended appropriately?






31. What is the general Purpose of a Letter?






32. The principle of of stressing the most important ieas in writing. You can achieve this with the careful use of: Position - Climatic Order - Sentence Type - Sentence Length - Sentence Length - Active Voice - Repetition - Intensifiers - Direct Stateme






33. Formality Considerations






34. A group of words that has a special meaning apart from its literal meaning. Someone who 'runs for office'






35. Iitalics - bold type - underlining etc.






36. Techniques for writing memos and emails are...






37. Using short and long sentences strategically






38. An organized presentation of relevant data on any topic that a company or agency tracks in its day-to-day operations






39. Steps to Successful Writing






40. Expressions that have been used fro so long that they are no longer fresh but come to mind easily bc they are so familiar. Often wordy as well as vague and cab be confusing - especially to non-native English speakers - E.g. all over the map - run it






41. Less formal than in the past - Varies from conversational style - The use of personal pronouns is important - In emails etc. something between conversational & business writing should be used - Only use we when it is company policy






42. What are Pros of Email?






43. Where you put the idea - The first & last words of a sentence - paragraph - doc - stand out in readers' minds.






44. Put instructions is correct order - right amount of information only - group closely related items into 1 step - give reader hints on how to best accomplish task - state when 1 step affects another - insert graphics where needed






45. Correctness






46. To set you apart from the others; show that you have customized your resume for that company/job opening






47. What are three levels of Editing?






48. The attitude a writer expresses toward the subject and his or her readers. May range depending on purpose etc.






49. What are three levels of Revision?






50. The relationships among ideas are clear to readers. A logical sequence of related ideas and clear transitions between these ideas.