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






2. Plan what you are going to say - polish what you wrote before you sent it - proofread everything


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






4. How do you begin the message?


5. E.g. 'most important'






6. What are three levels of Revision?






7. When to use Instant Messaging?






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






9. Purpose - problem - plan/solution - conclusion






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






11. Listing the ideas or facts within a sentence in sequence from least to most important






12. What types of research is done in gathering information?






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






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






15. What techniques can be used for gathering information?






16. Why Avoid Perfectionism in Drafting?






17. 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?






18. What are Cons of Email?


19. Formality Considerations






20. 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






21. What is the general Purpose of a Letter?






22. 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






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






24. The skeleton of the document you are going to write--structures your writing by ensuring that it has a beginning - middle - and end.Types: topic outlines - sentence outlines etc.






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






26. What is Direct Order?






27. What is Indirect Order?






28. Places the reader's interest and perspective foremost. It is based on the principle that most readers are naturally more concerned about their own needs than they are about those of a writer or a writer's organization - often means using the words y


29. Understand and agree on the important goals - organization - and deadlines for the report - Establish group rules early on and stick to them - Put the good of the group ahead of individual egos - Agree on the group's organization - Identify each mem






30. Using short and long sentences strategically






31. Informal






32. Goal and audience






33. 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






34. How do you know what to include in your message?






35. Casual






36. When should email NOT be used?






37. 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)






38. How to end an email






39. The ___________ of a word are its meanings and associations beyond its literal definitions - words often have particular connotations for audiences within professional groups and organizations






40. What is current emphasis on for a Letter?






41. The use of language that is more formal - technical - or showy than necessary to communicate information to the reader.






42. 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






43. Words and expressions that offend because they make inappropriate assumptions or stereotypes about gender - ethnicity - physical or mental disability - age or sexual orientation.






44. What is a Memorandum?






45. What are the activities in the planning stage?






46. Clairty






47. Conciseness






48. How do you present information in long messages?






49. Concern policies and regulations found in employee handbooks and other internal corporate communications






50. Audience's preferences - personal work style - how widely info needs to be distributed etc.