Deck 5: Completing Business Messages

Question 1

After proofreading for content,organization and tone of the message,what should be the next step in the proofreading process?

A)Proofreading to ensure the document meets the needs of the audience
B)Proofreading for tone
C)Proofreading to improve readability
D)Proofreading to read for spelling and grammar
E)Proofreading for overall feel of the document

Answer 1

C
Explanation: C)After confirming the content, organization, and tone of your message, make a second pass to improve readability. Most professionals are inundated with more reading material than they can ever hope to consume, and they'll appreciate your efforts to make your documents easier to read-and easier to skim for the highlights when they don't have time to read in depth.

Question 2

Which of the following is not a method for improving readability?

A)Using meaningful subject lines
B)Varying sentence length
C)Using short paragraphs
D)Include lists and bullets
E)Use effective headings and subheadings

Answer 2

A
Explanation: A)Four powerful techniques for improving readability are varying sentence length, using shorter paragraphs, replacing narrative with lists, and adding effective headings and subheadings.

Question 3

Making it easier for the audience to skim a message for highlights is done by improving what?

A)Conciseness
B)Clarity
C)Tone
D)Readability
E)Headings

Answer 3

D
Explanation: D)Most professionals are inundated with more reading material than they can ever hope to consume, and they'll appreciate your efforts to make your documents easier to read-and easier to skim for the highlights when they don't have time to read in depth.

Question 4

Which of the following can help determine the scope of the revision process?

A)The medium and nature of the message
B)The audience and the medium used
C)The audience and the nature of the message
D)Available time and skill level
E)Available time and location of the audience

Question 5

The secret to simplicity in a business communication is revision.

Question 6

When proofreading,which of the following should be accomplished on the first round of proofreading?

A)Spelling and grammar
B)Overall tone
C)Ensuring overall goals are accomplished
D)Clarity
E)Conciseness

Question 7

When beginning the process of proofreading,it is best to start as soon as the document is complete and the information is fresh in the writer's mind.

Question 8

When evaluating the content of the message,what should the proofreader consider?

A)Who will actually read the message
B)That the message is accurate, relevant and complete based on audience needs
C)That the message contains all the major ideas the writer wanted to include
D)Spelling and grammar are correct
E)First impression of the document for the audience

Question 9

Which of the following is an advantage to using short sentences?

A)Short sentences can be processed quickly.
B)Short sentences are useful for showing relationships among ideas.
C)Short sentences are best in showing complex ideas.
D)Short sentences are best when listing a number of related points.
E)Short sentences are useful when summarizing information.

Question 10

When editing the work of someone else,which of the following will have the least influence on the document?

A)Target audience
B)Purpose of the document
C)The editors writing style
D)Conciseness of the document
E)Organization of the document

Question 11

Which of the following is true when determining the correct tone for a document?

A)The tone should meet the audience's expectations.
B)The tone should be based on the writers relationship with the audience.
C)The tone should reflect the personality of the writer.
D)The tone should be academic.
E)The tone should be formal.

Question 12

Which section(s)of a message have the greatest impact on the audience?

A)Visual aids
B)Beginning and end
C)First appearance
D)Headings and subheading
E)Subject line

Question 13

When revising for digital formats,what should receive special attention during the revision process?

A)Audience needs
B)Audience location
C)Headings and subheading
D)Spelling, grammar and clarity
E)Use of compatible technology

Question 14

When editing someone else's work,it is important to understand the writer's intent before suggesting changes.

Question 15

Discuss the role of proofreading,grammar,spelling,clarity and other fundamentals of good writing in a document,including digital documents.

Question 16

When evaluating a message to ensure the writing is formal enough to meet the audience's expectations,what should be considered?

A)Content
B)Organization
C)Tone
D)Clarity
E)Details

Question 17

When evaluating the writing of someone else,what must be considered that one does not typically consider when editing their own work?

A)Informational needs of the audience
B)"You" attitude
C)Readability
D)Conciseness of the writing
E)Intent of the writer

Question 18

When working on revisions for someone else's work,what should happen to the writing style?

A)The writing style should reflect the person working on the revision.
B)The writing style should reflect the original writer.
C)The writing style should conform to the needs of the audience.
D)The writing style should be a new style that incorporates the styles of the original writer and the person making revisions.
E)The writing style should be dictated by the message in the document.

Question 19

After proofreading to ensure overall goals are accomplished,what should the second round of proofreading consider?

A)Deadlines
B)Spelling and grammar
C)Overall tone
D)Audience location
E)Clarity and conciseness

Question 20

When evaluating the organization of the message,which of the following is least important?

A)All points are covered and in a logical and convincing order.
B)The most important ideas have the most emphasis.
C)Points are not repeated unnecessarily.
D)Details are grouped in a logical manner.
E)The message is accurate and relevant based on the reader's needs.

Question 21

Using a list can be more effective than conventional sentences and paragraphs because lists allow the writer to do what?

A)Slow down the reading process
B)Minimize the impact of controversial information
C)Require careful review of key points
D)Increase the depth of the document
E)Simplify complex subjects

Question 22

Which of the following is an advantage to using sentences that are 15 to 25 words long?

A)Medium length sentences can be processed quickly.
B)Medium length sentences are useful for showing relationships among ideas.
C)Medium length sentences are best in showing complex ideas.
D)Medium length sentences are best when listing a number of related points.
E)Medium length sentences are useful when summarizing information.

Question 23

Which of the following is a disadvantage of using too many short sentences?

A)Short sentences can lack punch.
B)Short sentences can lack informative power.
C)Short sentences are harder to understand.
D)Short sentences are harder to skim for key points.
E)Short sentences make writing feel disconnected.

Question 24

Which of the following is least effective when creating lists?

A)A sequence of ideas
B)Listing key points
C)Using the list to simplify complex subjects
D)Using numbers instead of bullets
E)Parallelism

Question 25

Discuss four techniques to improve the readability of a message.

Question 26

Which of the following would work best to summarize or preview information?

A)Short sentences
B)Medium length sentences
C)Long sentences
D)Heading
E)Bullet points

Question 27

Which of the following is least helpful when improving readability?

A)Adding effective headings
B)Varying sentence length
C)Using shorter paragraphs
D)Conducting an audience analysis
E)Replacing narrative with lists

Question 28

A well written heading allows the reader to understand the heading without reading the support material.

Question 29

Which of the following is true regarding short paragraphs?

A)Paragraphs should be between 100 and 300 words.
B)Short paragraphs are easier to read than long ones.
C)Short paragraphs look unprofessional and choppy.
D)Short paragraphs do not need transitions
E)Short paragraphs provide a smooth flow of information.

Question 30

Which of the following indicates subsections within a major section of a document?

A)Heading
B)Subheading
C)Major heading
D)Descriptive heading
E)Informative heading

Question 31

Informative headings give the reader context and may point to a conclusion or recommendation.

Question 32

Which of the following is true for writing concise sentences?

A)All relative pronouns should be eliminated from sentences to minimize confusion.
B)Using infinitives to replace phrases is grammatically incorrect.
C)Longer words usually make a sentence easier to read and understand.
D)Double modifiers are easy to understand and make a sentence more concise.
E)The subject and predicate of a sentence should be placed as close together as possible.

Question 33

Using one-sentence paragraphs allows what advantages?

A)One-sentence paragraphs make the writing look inviting
B)One-sentence paragraphs can isolate individual ideas
C)One-sentence paragraphs can add emphasis to an important concept
D)One-sentence paragraphs can be used to transition topics
E)One-sentence paragraphs can be used in lists

Question 34

Discuss the advantage and disadvantages of short,medium and long sentences.

Question 35

In order to improve readability,what should be avoided?

A)Keeping sentences uniform in length
B)Using bullets to organize information
C)Writing short paragraphs
D)Using lists to clarify points
E)Adding headings and subheadings

Question 36

Which of the following tells the reader about the content of the section that follows?

A)Heading
B)Subheading
C)Major heading
D)Descriptive heading
E)Informative heading

Question 37

Which of the following gives the reader some context and may point to a conclusion offered in the section?

A)Heading
B)Subheading
C)Major heading
D)Descriptive heading
E)Informative heading

Question 38

Long paragraphs are generally more effective than lists.

Question 39

Which of the following identifies subject matter without suggesting anything more?

A)Heading
B)Subheading
C)Major heading
D)Descriptive heading
E)Informative heading

Question 40

Which of the following is a disadvantage of using too many sentences of 15-25 words in length?

A)Sentences this length can lack punch.
B)Sentences this length can lack informative power.
C)Sentences this length are harder to understand.
D)Sentences this length are harder to skim for key points.
E)Sentences this length make writing feel disconnected.

Question 41

When imposing parallelism in writing,what should a writer pay special attention to?

A)Making definitive statements about a topic
B)Expressing similar ideas with the same grammatical structure
C)Breaking up overly long sentences
D)Modifying nouns and verbs with modifiers
E)Keeping the subject and predicate of a sentence as close together as possible

Question 42

How does design affect readability?

A)The visual design sends a nonverbal message that influences the perception of the audience.
B)The visual design increases the amount of white space to improve readability.
C)The visual design will minimize the variety of typefaces used within the document.
D)The visual design lends contrast or emphasis to the type.
E)The visual design will allow for "chunking" of data for mobile distribution.

Question 43

Use the word "can" instead of the phrase "you have the capability" to make your sentence more concise and avoid what?

A)Parallelism
B)A "you" statement
C)Wordy phrases
D)Too many pronouns
E)Hedging

Question 44

What is the goal when editing for conciseness?

A)To impose parallelism
B)To make sure the document is as clear and easy to read as possible
C)To make sure the document is grammatically correct
D)To shorten the message by removing unnecessary words
E)To make sure the overall feel of the document is appropriate for a given audience

Question 45

A hedge sentence avoids what type of writing issue?

A)Overly long sentences
B)Parallelism
C)Absolute or definitive statements
D)Dangling modifiers
E)Long noun sequences

Question 46

Which of the following is the most effective way to shorten a sentence?

A)Avoid redundancies
B)Avoid using commas
C)Use the passive voice instead of the active
D)Use camouflaged verbs
E)Use hedging sentences

Question 47

What is the goal when editing for clarity?

A)Ensuring parallelism
B)Ensuring readers understand the intended meaning after reading a sentence once
C)There is a variety of sentence lengths
D)The most important ideas have the most room
E)Narratives are replaced with lists wherever possible

Question 48

Improvements in conciseness will also result in improvements in clarity.

Question 49

A reputation for efficient writing will encourage readers to read your documents.

Question 50

Clarity can be improved by looking closely at paragraph organization,sentence structure,and word choices.

Question 51

Phrases such as "the above mentioned," "the former," "the latter," and "the aforementioned" are examples of what?

A)Camouflaged verbs
B)Reworded noun sequences
C)Dangling modifiers
D)Hedge sentences
E)Awkward references

Question 52

Graphical elements that precede each item in a list are known as what?

A)Headings
B)Subheadings
C)Buttons
D)Bullets
E)Captions

Question 53

Discuss techniques for making documents more concise,and provide ineffective and effective examples of each.

Question 54

Which of the following will improve the clarity of a document?

A)Rewriting hedge sentences
B)Deleting unnecessary words and phrases
C)Replacing long words and phrases
D)Eliminating redundancies
E)Rewriting "it is" or "there are" starters

Question 55

Breaking up long sentences is an example of what type of proofreading?

A)Revising for clarity
B)Revising for conciseness
C)Revising for tone
D)Revising for organization
E)Revising for readability

Question 56

In business writing,what is the highest number of typefaces most documents should contain?

A)One
B)No more than two
C)No more than three
D)No more than four
E)As many as needed to add creativity and readability to the document

Question 57

Which of the following is true for creating readable lists?

A)Long sentences should be used to increase the likelihood that readers will find the key points
B)Use one-sentence paragraphs for emphasis
C)Skimming is more difficult with bulleted lists
D)Introductions are avoided as lists enable skimming
E)Using parallelism makes it easier for readers to skim through lists

Question 58

When editing for clarity,what aspects of the writing should be carefully considered?

A)The type(s)of headings used
B)Whether lists use bullets or numbers, and are parallel in nature
C)The length of paragraphs, and the inclusion of paragraphs with various lengths
D)The content, organization and tone of the message are as professional as possible
E)The message is as clear and concise as possible

Question 59

Phrases such as "future plans" "refer back" and "basic fundamentals" are all considered what?

A)Unnecessary words and phrases
B)Long words and phrases
C)Redundancies
D)Double modifiers
E)Correct usage

Question 60

Which of the following will improve the conciseness of the document?

A)Replacing long words and phrases
B)Replacing awkward references
C)Uses a variety of sentence structures
D)Changing verbs into nouns
E)Using a variety of sentence structures for similar ideas

Question 61

The typeface used in a document can influence the tone of a message.

Question 62

Which of the following is not a consideration when proofreading a document?

A)Writing errors
B)Design mistakes
C)Layout errors
D)Production issues
E)Audience analysis

Question 63

When formatting for mobile devices,which of the following should be included?

A)Complex graphics
B)A variety of typefaces
C)Multiple screens
D)Minimal white space
E)Simple formats

Question 64

When designing for printed messages,what design elements should be considered to achieve effective design?

A)Consistency, conciseness, restraint and detail
B)Consistency, balance, restraint and detail
C)White space, margins, typeface and type style
D)Consistency, balance, restraint and readability
E)Balance, restraint, conciseness and use of mobile devices

Question 65

Using similar margins,typeface,spacing,color,lines and position in all of your documents will result in what?

A)Restraint
B)Balance
C)Consistency
D)White space
E)Detail

Question 66

When is it most appropriate to use italics in a printed document?

A)In headings
B)In subheadings
C)At the start of each paragraph
D)To draw attention to a key concept or phrase
E)To identify names of published works

Question 67

Which of the following creates a document with a denser,heavier look?

A)White space
B)Typeface variety
C)Justified margins
D)Ragged margins
E)Graphic designs

Question 68

When proofreading for writing errors,attention should be paid to which of the following?

A)Incorrect typefaces
B)Web link issues
C)Ink color
D)Word choices
E)Computer glitches

Question 69

Discuss aspects of production quality.

Question 70

When designing for readability,what design elements should be considered to achieve effective design?

A)Consistency, conciseness, restraint and detail
B)Consistency, balance, restraint and detail
C)White space, margins, detail and type style
D)Consistency, balance, restraint and readability
E)Balance, restraint, conciseness and use of mobile devices

Question 71

When inspecting a document for quality,what activity is the writer doing?

A)Designing
B)Formatting
C)Inserting white space
D)Proofreading
E)Ensuring consistency

Question 72

Type modifications such as boldface,italics,underlining and color represent what design element?

A)Graphics
B)Typeface
C)Improved readability
D)Type style
E)Balance

Question 73

Reading backwards and reading with your finger under a word help the proofreading process by using what?

A)A focus on high priority items
B)Distance
C)Additional time
D)Vigilance
E)Perception tricks

Question 74

Explain the four principles of effective design.

Question 75

The physical design of letters,numbers and text characters are referred to as what?

A)Graphic designs
B)Typeface
C)Justified margins
D)Ragged margins
E)White space

Question 76

When designing for mobile devices,it is best to minimize use of white space.

Question 77

If a document has too many design elements,what readability tool is missing?

A)Restraint
B)Balance
C)Consistency
D)White space
E)Detail

Question 78

To make pages and screens feel less intimidating and easier to read,what should be used generously?

A)Graphic designs
B)Line justification
C)Typeface variety
D)Headings and subheadings
E)White space

Question 79

When formatting for mobile devices,which of the following will aid the reading in identifying key points in the communication?

A)Italics
B)Larger fonts
C)Blank lines
D)Vertical layout
E)Embedded links

Question 80

A flush left,ragged right type creates a more formal look to a document.