Question 1

Your company has completed an audience analysis for the manual you are writing for users of a new accounting system. The manual will be given to the 750 employees in the company's accounting department. Some members of the audience are experienced accountants and others are not; some have MBA degrees and others have bachelor's or associate's degrees; some were recently hired and some are long-term employees; some are managers and some are bookkeepers. How might you best accommodate your audiences?
A) Include different sections for the different audiences.
B) Write the manual to the lowest level of the audience.
C) Write the manual to the highest level of the audience.
D) Prepare an audience profile sheet.

Accepted Answer

Including different sections for the different audiences would best accommodate the different levels of experience and education. This allows experienced accountants to skip over basic information and new hires to receive the necessary foundational information. It also ensures that the manual is not too basic or too advanced for any particular group. Additionally, including subsections within each section can further tailor the material to different levels of expertise.

Question 2

Chapter 5 identifies seven categories of cultural variables "on the surface." One category is political. Which of these is NOT one of the categories of surface cultural variables?
A) economic
B) social
C) religious
D) philosophical

Accepted Answer

The seven categories of surface cultural variables identified in Chapter 5 are political, economic, social, religious, linguistic, aesthetic, and educational. Philosophical is not one of the categories mentioned.

Question 3

You are writing a proposal to restructure your department's organizational chart. Your manager was a member of the committee that originally set up the department's current structure. Which purpose statement would be best for a proposal to your manager?
A) The purpose of this proposal is to show how we can reorganize our department to improve our efficiency while keeping intact the values that have allowed us to succeed to this point.
B) The purpose of this proposal is to show how to solve all of our productivity problems and remove all the barriers to effective communication.
C) The purpose of this proposal is to show why it's time for "out with the old and in with the new."
D) The purpose of this proposal is to explain why we have no choice but to scrap our ineffective organizational structure.

Accepted Answer

The best purpose statement is one that acknowledges the strengths of the current structure while also identifying areas for improvement. Option A does this by emphasizing the need to maintain the values that have allowed the department to succeed, while also proposing changes to increase efficiency. Options B, C, and D are too confrontational and may be perceived as disrespectful towards the manager's previous contributions to the department's structure.

Question 4

Which phrase best defines the purpose of a workplace document?
A) what you want to accomplish with the document you are producing
B) what you propose to do when you receive permission
C) what you want to display in words or images
D) what you want to document for clarity

Accepted Answer

The purpose of a workplace document is essentially what you aim to achieve with the document you are creating, which involves communicating specific information, instructions, or requests to achieve a particular outcome or action.

Question 5

You are writing a report about new regulations that affect your company. Members of your primary audience of company executives are very busy and will read your report quickly, but secondary- and tertiary-audience members are likely to read more slowly and carefully. Which of the following options is most appropriate for your situation?
A) Include detailed footnotes on each page.
B) To save time, omit the executive summary and put more details in the body of your report.
C) Follow the patterns of writing that were successful for you in college English and history classes.
D) Break your report into modules and put highly detailed information in an appendix.

Accepted Answer

Breaking the report into modules and putting highly detailed information in an appendix allows the primary audience to quickly read the main body of the report while allowing the secondary- and tertiary-audience members to read more detailed information if they choose to do so. This approach caters to both types of readers and provides a balanced approach to conveying the information. Including detailed footnotes on each page may be overwhelming for the busy primary audience, while omitting the executive summary and putting more details in the body of the report may make it harder for the primary audience to quickly grasp the main points. Following patterns of writing that were successful in college may not necessarily be the most effective approach for a professional report.

Question 6

According to Chapter 5, which approach is best when writing for multiple audiences?
A) a linear approach
B) an experiential approach
C) a modular approach
D) an attitudinal approach

Accepted Answer

The modular approach allows for flexibility in addressing multiple audiences by breaking down the content into smaller, self-contained units that can be organized or combined as needed to meet the specific needs of each audience. This approach also allows for easier updating and customization of content for different audiences.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a good strategy to use if you know your reader is hostile to your subject?
A) Address the reader's objections directly in your document.
B) Explain the benefits of what you are proposing before giving your recommendation.
C) Focus on the positive and avoid all mention of any possible objections.
D) Avoid describing the subject as a dispute.

Accepted Answer

Focusing solely on the positive and avoiding mention of possible objections may come across as insincere and dismissive of the reader's concerns, making them even more hostile towards the subject. It's important to address objections and concerns while still presenting the benefits and recommendations in a confident and respectful manner.

Question 8

Which of the following mistakes did McDonald's make when it printed takeout bags decorated with flags from around the world?
A) The bags showed a pair of hands holding a flag in a way that customers in some cultures would interpret as an obscene gesture.
B) The bags showed a Saudi flag, which depicts holy scripture from the Koran. The Saudis were offended because these bags would be thrown out.
C) The writing on the bags was in English, which offended numerous nonnative speakers.
D) Some of the flags were labeled with the wrong country names.

Accepted Answer

The Saudi flag contains the Islamic declaration of faith, which includes the words of the shahada. Placing such a religious and sacred text on disposable items like takeout bags is considered disrespectful in Islam, as these items are eventually thrown away, potentially dishonoring the text.

Question 9

You are writing a report advocating that your company increase its use of social media. Your manager has said several times that she does not like to mix social media and business. She has pointed out several social-media problems that other companies have created for themselves. Which purpose statement would be best for a report to your manager?
A) The purpose of this report is to show how the coolest social-media apps can deliver content to a hip, urban audience.
B) The purpose of this report is to prove that social-media disasters rarely happen and that social media are the wave of the future.
C) The purpose of this report is to demonstrate how the speed and flexibility of social media can help our company reach a growing audience of young adults with controlled, targeted messaging.
D) The purpose of this report is to show how our company can get on the social-media bandwagon before it is too late.

Accepted Answer

Choice C focuses on the benefits of using social media for targeted messaging, demonstrating how it can help the company reach a growing audience while maintaining control over the message. This approach addresses the manager's concerns about potential social-media problems and emphasizes the advantages of using social media in a strategic and controlled manner. Choice A is too focused on the appeal of social-media apps and may not address the manager's concerns, while Choice B is not entirely accurate and may not be persuasive. Choice D is too vague and does not provide a clear rationale for why the company should increase its use of social media.

Question 10

Which terms below are used in Chapter 5 to describe types of audiences?
A) fundamental and supplemental
B) primary, secondary, and tertiary
C) expert and non-expert
D) internal and external

Accepted Answer

Chapter 5 uses the terms primary, secondary, and tertiary audiences to describe different types of audiences. The terms fundamental and supplemental are not used, expert and non-expert are too broad, and internal and external audiences are not specifically mentioned.

Question 11

One way to learn about the primary reader of your document is to interview people who know him or her. Which of these questions is NOT likely to help you learn useful information about your primary reader?
A) Does this person prefer to read hard-copy documents or electronic documents?
B) Does this person prefer to read detailed information or a summary that provides a big picture?
C) Does this person tend to review the sources listed in a bibliography after reading a report?
D) Does this person attend chapter meetings of professional associations?

Accepted Answer

Knowing whether or not the person attends chapter meetings of professional associations is not likely to provide information about their reading preferences or habits. It may be useful information in other contexts, but not for understanding the primary reader of your document.

Question 12

Chapter 5 offers eight guidelines for writing for readers from other cultures. Which of the following is NOT one of those guidelines?
A) Limit your vocabulary.
B) Use the active voice whenever possible.
C) Use icons rather than text as much as possible.
D) Avoid idioms and slang.

Accepted Answer

The eight guidelines listed in Chapter 5 for writing for readers from other cultures include limiting your vocabulary, using the active voice whenever possible, avoiding idioms and slang, using simple sentence structures, avoiding long paragraphs, using lists and bullets, being aware of cultural differences, and using visual aids to enhance understanding. However, using icons rather than text is not specifically mentioned as one of the guidelines.

Question 13

Which of these is NOT a variable "beneath the surface" of daily life in a culture?
A) distance between ranks
B) need for details to be spelled out
C) prevalence of technology
D) distance between business and private life

Accepted Answer

While technology may have varying levels of prevalence in different cultures, it is not considered a hidden variable as its presence is visible and directly impacts daily life. The other options listed involve relational and societal elements that may not be immediately apparent in daily interactions or observations.

Question 14

You need to find out more about the buying behavior of a large audience. Which of the following techniques is most likely to help you find this information?
A) interviewing people
B) checking LinkedIn profiles
C) reading about your audience online
D) analyzing social-media data

Accepted Answer

Analyzing social-media data is the most likely technique to provide insights into the buying behavior of a large audience. Social media platforms provide a wealth of information on users' interests, preferences, and purchasing habits through their online behavior, such as likes, comments, shares, and reviews. By analyzing this data, businesses can gain valuable insights into their audience's buying behavior, preferences, and trends, which can help them improve their marketing, sales, and customer engagement strategies. Interviews, LinkedIn profiles, and online reading can also provide useful information, but these methods may not be as cost-effective or scalable as social-media analysis for large audiences.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a reason to use an audience profile sheet for a writing project?
A) It prompts you to ask questions about your target audience.
B) It helps you remember what you've learned about your target audience.
C) It helps you realize when you need to learn more about your target audience.
D) It gives you a way to tell your audience what you know about them.

Accepted Answer

Audience profile sheets are intended for the writer's personal use, to gather and organize information about a target audience. They are not typically presented to the audience as a way to tell them what the writer knows about them.

Question 16

You work for a semiconductor manufacturer. You are writing a quarterly report on the activities within your section of the company. One of the people who will read your report is Lila Waltman, divisional vice president. You search online for information about her. Which piece of information is most likely to help you as you write the report?
A) She is an active member of the local chapter of IEEE, a professional society for the electronics industry.
B) She is an active member of the local chapter of her university's alumni association.
C) She is an active member of the community board for a local animal shelter.
D) She is an active member of a distance-running group.

Accepted Answer

Lila Waltman's membership in the local chapter of IEEE suggests that she is knowledgeable and engaged in the electronics industry. This information may give insight into the types of topics and language she may be familiar with, and therefore, may help in determining appropriate content and tone for the report. The other options are unrelated to her professional background or interests.

Question 17

According to Chapter 5, what should you do once you have analyzed your audience and purpose?
A) Begin drafting.
B) Conduct research.
C) Get management's approval.
D) Outline the document.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Chapter 5, what should you...

Question 18

Chapter 5 discusses certain variables that lead to differences among cultures. Which of these statements about cultural variables is true?
A) Different organizations within the same culture can vary greatly.
B) Cultural variables line up in clear, predictable patterns.
C) Each variable represents a small number of attitudes.
D) An organization's cultural attitudes tend to be static over time.

Accepted Answer

Different organizations within the same culture can vary greatly because culture is not monolithic and can vary based on factors such as industry, geography, and history. Therefore, it is difficult to make generalizations about a culture and its attitudes based on a few cultural variables.

Question 19

Which of the factors listed below did the writer of the following memo fail to take into account? TO: University Faculty Advisers
FROM: David Gates, Ph.D., Department of Psychology
SUBJECT: New course offered-PSYC 499, Self-Fulfillment in a Global Society
Enclosed is a flyer briefly describing PSYC 499. After you read through the flyer, post it in a conspicuous place, e.g., on your door. Or, better yet, make copies and hand them out in your class. The course will explore how individuals in our society can maintain a sense of self in these increasingly uncertain times. So tell students in your courses and your advisees about this new timely course.
A) readers' education and professional experience
B) readers' personal characteristics
C) readers' attitudes and expectations
D) the physical or digital environment in which readers will read the document

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the factors listed below did...

Question 20

Which of these is an easily observed, "surface" cultural variable?
A) tolerance of uncertainty
B) distance between ranks
C) distance between business and private life
D) prevalence of religion

Accepted Answer

The prevalence of religion is an easily observed, "surface" cultural variable as it can be observed in religious practices, traditions, and symbols in public spaces. Tolerance of uncertainty, distance between ranks, and distance between business and private life are all deep cultural variables that are difficult to observe and require greater understanding of the cultural context.

Quiz 5: Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose

Chapter 5 identifies seven categories of cultural variables "on the surface." One category is political. Which of these is NOT one of the categories of surface cultural variables?

You are writing a proposal to restructure your department's organizational chart. Your manager was a member of the committee that originally set up the department's current structure. Which purpose statement would be best for a proposal to your manager?

Which phrase best defines the purpose of a workplace document?

According to Chapter 5, which approach is best when writing for multiple audiences?

Which of the following is NOT a good strategy to use if you know your reader is hostile to your subject?

Which of the following mistakes did McDonald's make when it printed takeout bags decorated with flags from around the world?

Which terms below are used in Chapter 5 to describe types of audiences?

One way to learn about the primary reader of your document is to interview people who know him or her. Which of these questions is NOT likely to help you learn useful information about your primary reader?

Chapter 5 offers eight guidelines for writing for readers from other cultures. Which of the following is NOT one of those guidelines?

Which of these is NOT a variable "beneath the surface" of daily life in a culture?

You need to find out more about the buying behavior of a large audience. Which of the following techniques is most likely to help you find this information?

Which of the following is NOT a reason to use an audience profile sheet for a writing project?

According to Chapter 5, what should you do once you have analyzed your audience and purpose?

Chapter 5 discusses certain variables that lead to differences among cultures. Which of these statements about cultural variables is true?

Which of these is an easily observed, "surface" cultural variable?