Deck 12: Writing for the Workplace: Content and Genre

Question 1

Which of the following is a 'Don't' when using email in the workplace?

A) Messages should be concise and accurate.
B) Grammar and spelling are important in emails.
C) Indicate the topic of the email in the subject header.
D) Forward chain messages onto colleagues and supervisors.
E) Apply conventions of business writing.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

The textbook recommends exploring certain questions when being asked to write a report.Which of the following is NOT one of the questions a report writer should be considering?

A) What is the scope of the information requested?
B) Why is the report being requested?
C) What other reports can I copy-and-paste from?
D) What is the purpose of the report?
E) Who will read the report?

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which of the following is true about how reports are read?

A) People generally ignore headings when looking for information in a report.
B) Conclusions and recommendations of a report are for interest only,not to be implemented.
C) Senior executives may only read the executive summary.
D) No-one reads appendices: they are just there to safeguard the writer.
E) People only read reports because of necessity,never out of interest.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Megan is offered a role in a local bank.Due to receiving an offer from another employer,Megan has decided to decline the offer from the bank.Which of the following would you recommend to Megan?

A) Megan should not bother to write to the bank.
B) Megan should write to the bank to tell them their offer was lousy.
C) Megan should confirm in writing that she can accept the position if her new job doesn't work out.
D) Megan should write an abrupt letter to the bank,stating that she will be declining the position.
E) Megan should write a positively framed letter,giving a reason for declining the offer made by the bank.

Question 5

Which of the following statements is true about workplace manuals?

A) Computer manuals are the least common manual in the workplace.
B) Manuals are meant to be read cover to cover.
C) People prefer to read manuals than work things out for themselves.
D) People only read manuals before they use equipment.
E) Manuals help people understand a proper and efficient way to work.

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of a salutation?

A) 'Sincerely'
B) 'Re: Contract for sale'
C) 'Dear Mr Jones'
D) '8/8/12'
E) 'P.O.Box 192 Sydney 2000

Question 7

Fill in the blank spaces in each of the following sentences about the business letter.

A) In Australia,showing the date as 9/10/04 means 9 October 2004,whereas in the US it would mean ________.
B) The attention line of a business letter directs the letter to ________.
C) In writing the salutation,if you do not know the person you are writing to,you should address them as ________.
D) The purpose of a reference line is to ________.
E) For formal letters,an appropriate signature is ________.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a quality of an effective report?

A) An effective report is accurate.
B) An effective report is clear.
C) An effective report is objective.
D) An effective report is in written format.
E) An effective report is goal-oriented.

Question 9

Which of the following is an appropriate format for a list of figures,illustrations and tables in a report?

A) Listing in alphabetical order.
B) Listing in order of appearance.
C) Listing in order of importance.
D) Listing by design (i.e.colour graphics,followed by black and white).
E) Listing by size (i.e.large tables and figures get listed first).

Question 10

Choose the most appropriate graphic device used to illustrate a relationship of one variable to another.

A) A line graph
B) A column or bar chart
C) A pie or circle chart
D) A flow chart
E) A photograph

Question 11

The choice to send a letter rather than another type of communication signifies:

A) cost-effectiveness.
B) conventionality.
C) formality.
D) a need for speedy communication.
E) an archaic communication method.

Question 12

Which of the following is important to include in a resume?

A) Hobbies and interests
B) Contact details
C) Family connections
D) Every job you have ever held,regardless of relevance to prospective role
E) An attractive photograph of yourself

Question 13

Chris is hoping to have his recent study published in an academic journal.Which of the following details will Chris need to pay careful attention to in writing his study as an article?

A) The academic interests of the scholars who review the journal.
B) The style guide issued by the journal.
C) The interests of the readers of the journal.
D) Making sure he uses the active voice in the article.
E) Making sure he uses a passive voice in the article.

Question 14

What is 'chunking' in the layout of a report?

A) A bordered or shaded section.
B) A large graphic.
C) Bolded text.
D) Tables broken up over several pages.
E) Large pieces of data that are placed in the report rather than the appendix.

Question 15

Which of the following is part of a body of a report?

A) Aims and objectives
B) Table of contents
C) Introduction
D) Conclusions
E) Results

Question 16

The styles of workplace writing are: narrative,argument,definition,description and instruction.Indicate which of these styles is used in each of the following sentences from technical reports.

A) The driver lost control of his vehicle,which mounted the footpath and collided with a telephone booth,injuring an elderly man who was standing in the booth.
B) Smoking results in illness not only to the smoker but also to those standing or sitting near the smoker.This is why we have banned smoking in all public buildings in the city.
C) Torque,in a motor,is simply a measure of how much load it can turn or 'lift'.
D) The engine with which this fuel-metering device is to be used will allow a flow of air to be drawn almost continuously through the carburettor's throat.
E) The rotary pump is the most effective for this application.

Question 17

Which of the following is the key reason for attaching a letter of transmittal to a report?

A) To conform to standard business practice.
B) To address the report to a reader,personalising it in the process,and calling attention to specific details relevant to that reader.
C) To ask people to read the report.
D) To ensure that readers know who wrote the report.
E) To attach an invoice and ensure its payment.

Question 18

What is a précis?

A) A general description of the contents of a report.
B) Another term for executive summary.
C) The key points of the report.
D) An evaluative summary that presents a measure of professional judgement in addition to the aims,results,conclusions and recommendations of the report.
E) An informative piece of text that presents the aim,results,conclusions and recommendations of the report.

Question 19

If you want to compare a number of sets of data,your best choice would probably be:

A) a line or scatter graph.
B) a column or bar chart.
C) a pie or circle chart.
D) a flow chart.
E) a photograph.

Question 20

What other type of business letter could we best compare the employment application letter with?

A) A sales letter
B) A proposal
C) A bad news letter
D) A letter of acceptance
E) A thank you letter