Deck 7: Writing

Question 1

The information at beginning of the sentence is what people often recall, and is therefore normally considered the location of maximum emphasis.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

In written communication, repetition is an effective strategy to reinforce a message.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Structuring your document by using contrasting points establishes a relationship between two events, making the connection clear.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

A paragraph generally has an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Question 5

Serif fonts such as Garamond have decorative ends that make the font difficult to read.

Question 6

Jargon can be a useful shorthand as long as the audience knows its meaning.

Question 7

"Please join us for lunch" is an example of an interrogative sentence.

Question 8

Ethos will allow the reader to come to understand the relationships among who, what, where, when, and so forth.

Question 9

Sometimes the first sentence is the est to write.

Question 10

The direct pattern of business documents introduces your main idea after the opening paragraph.

Question 11

A sequence transition alerts the audience you are moving from one topic to the next.

Question 12

Active sentences allow the writer to avoid personal references or personal pronouns to create a more objective tone.

Question 13

Today business documents are written in third person to give them the impression of objectivity.

Question 14

One common organizing principle is chronology, or time.

Question 15

Formal styles include contractions and colloquial expressions.

Question 16

The thesis statement should be a single idea.

Question 17

Business writing is an opportunity for self-expression.

Question 18

In general business writing, it is best to avoid self-referential comments that allude to your previous successes.

Question 19

In written communications, omission may be unintentional, but it is often intentional.

Question 20

Trust is the foundation for all communication interactions.

Question 21

Exordium introduces your claim being argued in the document.

Question 22

A circular argument fallacy is also called a coincidental correlation.

Question 23

Passive voice is the clear choice for a variety of contexts, but not all.

Question 24

When you paraphrase, you will relate the main point, but need to take care not to copy the original.

Question 25

A generalization argument approach is defined as what a credible source indicates is probably true.

Question 26

Which of the following statements is true about ethos?

A) It is the logic of your thoughts represented across the document.
B) It will come through with your choice of sources and authority on the subjects).
C) It allows the reader to understand the relationships among who, what, where, and when.
D) It implies passion and enthusiasm.
E) It will be reflected in your design and word choices.

Question 27

_____ will be reflected in your design and word choices.

A) Logos
B) Noesis
C) Ethos
D) Phronesis
E) Pathos

Question 28

_____ will allow the reader to come to understand the relationships among who, what, where, when, and so forth.

A) Ethos
B) Phronesis
C) Logos
D) Noesis
E) Pathos

Question 29

Structuring your document by _____ shows a series of events or steps in a process, which typically has a beginning, middle, and end.

A) comparison
B) contrast
C) time
D) space
E) elimination

Question 30

Fallacies are best avoided because they can actually detract from your effectiveness.

Question 31

"The change in the drinking age was never put to a vote. It's not about alcohol, it's about our freedom of speech in a democratic society" is an example of an argument by cause.

Question 32

Steven Beebe and Susan Beebe recommend five guiding principles when considering your thesis statement. Which of the following is not one of them?

A) It should begin with a clear purpose statement.
B) It should be a partial and limited sentence.
C) It should use specific language, not vague generalities.
D) It should be a single idea.
E) It should reflect consideration of the audience.

Question 33

In his book Ethics in Human Communication, Ric Johannesen mentions one of the points to remember is to not advocate something that you yourself do not believe in.

Question 34

Plagiarism is paraphrasing or summarizing information from other works.

Question 35

A summary is a very rare but often effective way to conclude a document.

Question 36

Aristotle thought the best and most preferable way to persuade an audience was through the use of emotion, free of logic.

Question 37

The TransAmerica Transportation System will reduce customs clearing time while increasing border security along the distribution network. This is an example of which organizing principle?

A) Cause and effect
B) Contrast
C) Comparison
D) Problem and solution
E) Elimination

Question 38

Peroration provides the audience with the necessary background or context for your argument.

Question 39

Structuring your document by _____ focuses on the similarities and/or differences between points or concepts.

A) comparison
B) elimination
C) time
D) space
E) contrast

Question 40

A straw man fallacy is an argument against the man instead of his message.

Question 41

The conclusion sentence _____.

A) defines the subject matter to be addressed in that paragraph
B) may introduce a related organizing principle
C) may use an organizing principle similar to that of the document itself
D) relates clearly to the subject matter of the paragraph and overall document
E) can serve as a transition to the next paragraph

Question 42

Focusing on quantity and quality reflects which organizing principle?

A) Time
B) Contrast
C) Problem and solution
D) Ascending and descending
E) Psychological

Question 43

"After I came home, I made dinner." is an example of an) _____ sentence.

A) complex
B) compound
C) compound complex
D) simple
E) conditional

Question 44

The process and procedure organizing principle is similar to which organizational pattern?

A) Problem and solution
B) Cause and effect
C) Time
D) Space
E) Contrast

Question 45

Structuring your document by _____ establishes categories.

A) classification
B) cause and effect
C) ascending and descending order
D) space
E) contrast

Question 46

"Get me some water." is an example of an) _____ sentence.

A) exclamatory
B) imperative
C) declarative
D) interrogative
E) inquisitive

Question 47

"Mary reacted violently to Gabriel's accusations." is an example of an) _____ sentence.

A) imperative
B) inquisitive
C) exclamatory
D) declarative
E) interrogative

Question 48

A _____ transition alerts the audience you are moving from one topic to the next.

A) time
B) sequence
C) signpost
D) place
E) clarification

Question 49

"Even though I like to watch movies, I haven't found the time to go to the cinema lately, and I haven't found anybody to go with" is an example of an) _____ sentence.

A) complex
B) compound
C) compound complex
D) simple
E) conditional

Question 50

_____ sentences support the topic sentence and relate clearly to the subject matter of the paragraph and overall document.

A) Body
B) Declarative
C) Imperative
D) Introduction
E) Conclusion

Question 51

Which type of transition is a brief statement referring to a point you are going to make?

A) Internal summary
B) Clarification transition
C) Place transition
D) Time transition
E) Internal preview

Question 52

Which of the following reflects the cause and effect organizing principle?

A) It highlights the differences between items and concepts.
B) It involves the parts of something and how they fit to form the whole.
C) It involves focusing on quantity and quality.
D) It establishes a relationship between two events, making the connection clear.
E) It involves outlining all the possibilities.

Question 53

Which of the following about formal styles is true?

A) They often require more detail.
B) They reflect everyday speech patterns.
C) They include contractions.
D) They include colloquial expressions.
E) They use shortcuts like contractions.

Question 54

_____ sentences convey a command.

A) Declarative
B) Interrogative
C) Imperative
D) Exclamatory
E) Inquisitive

Question 55

Which of the following organizing principles allows for a clear introduction of terms and concepts while reducing the likelihood of misinterpretation?

A) Time
B) Definition
C) Problem and solution
D) Ascending and descending
E) Psychological

Question 56

Structuring your document by space involves _____.

A) a series of events or steps in a process, which typically has a beginning, middle, and end
B) focusing on quantity and quality
C) outlining all the possibilities
D) making an abstract concept clearer to an audience
E) the parts of something and how they fit to form the whole

Question 57

"As a result" is an example of which of the following types of transitions?

A) A transition by comparison
B) A transition by cause and effect
C) A transition by similarity
D) A time transition
E) A concession transition

Question 58

_____, also known as voice or tone, is the manner in which a writer addresses the reader.

A) Attention statement
B) Elevator speech
C) Writing style
D) Colloquial language
E) Denotative meaning

Question 59

The TransAmerica Transportation System offers several advantages: security, speed, efficiency, and cost reduction. This is an example of which organizational pattern?

A) Ascending and descending
B) Point pattern
C) Space
D) Problem and solution
E) Cause and effect

Question 60

An) _____ tone is a writing style that resembles oral communication.

A) presentation
B) formal
C) standard
D) conversational
E) impersonal

Question 61

_____, or the verbatim cut-and-paste insertion of fragments of other publications into your own writing without crediting the sources, is plagiarism.

A) Abstract
B) In-text reference
C) Paraphrasing
D) Summarizing
E) Patch writing

Question 62

Which of the following about summarizing is true?

A) Unlike quoting, summarizing is something you cannot do to the material you have written.
B) A summary is a very rare but often effective way to conclude a document.
C) Because summarizing is an act of non-reductionism, some of the original richness in detail that surrounds the original will be necessarily lost.
D) Formal business reports often begin with an abstract.
E) Scientific articles usually begin with an executive summary.

Question 63

Which of the following about general business writing is false?

A) Be generous in giving credit where credit is due.
B) Take every opportunity to thank your colleagues for their efforts.
C) Acknowledge those who contributed good ideas.
D) Do not keep referring to yourself and your achievements.
E) Use self-referential comments that allude to your previous successes.

Question 64

_____ is a vocabulary that has been developed by people in a particular group, discipline, or industry, and it can be a useful shorthand as long as the audience knows its meaning.

A) Exhortation
B) Buzzword
C) Catchphrase
D) Motto
E) Jargon

Question 65

What is a red herring?

A) Claiming the truth of the very matter in question, as if it were already an obvious conclusion.
B) Appeals to a common belief of some people, often prejudicial, and states everyone holds this belief.
C) Stating that someone's argument is wrong solely because of something about the person rather than about the argument itself.
D) Any diversion intended to distract attention from the main issue, particularly by relating the issue to a common fear.
E) A weak argument set up to easily refute and distract attention from stronger arguments.

Question 66

Alcohol is a drug and so is tobacco. They alter perceptions, have an impact on physiological and psychological systems, and are federally regulated substances. This is an example of an argument by _____.

A) analogy
B) sign
C) cause
D) principle
E) testimony

Question 67

Which of the following statements about introductions is true?

A) The direct pattern introduces your main idea after the opening paragraph.
B) The indirect pattern states the main purpose at the beginning.
C) The direct pattern can be useful if you need a strong opening to get the attention of what you perceive may be an uninterested audience.
D) The direct pattern leaves little room for misinterpretation.
E) Normally, if you expect a positive response from the reader you will choose an indirect opening.

Question 68

An) _____ voice is a sentence structure in which the subject carries out the action.

A) causative
B) cooperative
C) reciprocal
D) active
E) passive

Question 69

The ad populum fallacy:

A) is an argument against the man instead of his message.
B) appeals to a common belief of some people, often prejudicial, and states everyone holds this belief.
C) assumes the very thing it aims to prove.
D) is any diversion intended to distract attention from the main issue, particularly by relating the issue to a common fear.
E) claims the truth of the very matter in question, as if it were already an obvious conclusion.

Question 70

"The United States, which has experienced a sales increase, is our largest and most successful market." This is an example of _____ emphasis.

A) minimum
B) highest
C) maximum
D) average
E) medium

Question 71

"I've lost friends from age eighteen to sixty-seven to alcohol. It impacts all ages, and its effects are cumulative. Let me tell you about two friends in particular." This is an example of an argument by _____.

A) analogy
B) sign
C) authority
D) principle
E) testimony

Question 72

An) _____ voice is a sentence structure in which the subject receives the action.

A) causative
B) cooperative
C) reciprocal
D) active
E) passive

Question 73

According to Toulmin's Three-Part Rhetorical Strategy, "It is important to spay or neuter your pet" is an example of _____.

A) information
B) assurance
C) a warrant
D) data
E) a claim

Question 74

A common strategy in business writing is to _____, or rewrite the information in your own words.

A) summarize
B) quote verbatim
C) plagiarize
D) ad hominem
E) paraphrase

Question 75

Refutation:

A) is your conclusion of your argument.
B) offers the audience evidence to support your argument.
C) introduces your claim being argued in the document.
D) introduces to the audience and then discounts the counterarguments.
E) prepares the audience to consider your argument.

Question 76

Which of the following about emotions is false?

A) Emotions influence not only how you say or what you say, but also how you hear or what you hear.
B) Our feelings directly impact our own point of view and readiness to communicate.
C) Emotions are a purely physical reaction to stimuli that we experience as a feeling.
D) Our emotions directly influence how, why, and when we say things.
E) At times, emotions can be challenging to control.

Question 77

"Sales have increased across the United States because of our latest promotion efforts in our largest and most successful market." This is an example of _____ emphasis.

A) medium
B) least
C) maximum
D) average
E) minimum

Question 78

_____ introduces your claim being argued in the document.

A) Refutation
B) Confirmation
C) Narration
D) Peroration
E) Proposition

Question 79

"Because of our latest promotion efforts in our largest and most successful market, sales have increased across the United States." This is an example of _____ emphasis.

A) least
B) medium
C) lowest
D) minimum
E) maximum

Question 80

Passive voices _____.

A) create a more objective tone
B) tend to be shorter
C) are more precise
D) are easier to understand
E) are the clear choice for a variety of contexts