Question 1

Discuss the impact of negative words in business messages.

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Question 2

Define and explain the importance of you-viewpoint in a business message. With an example, show how the use of you-viewpoint and we-viewpoint is not defined only by the use of second-person pronouns.

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Question 3

Consider the following statement: "We cannot exchange this item as you have not supplied us with the original purchase invoice." How can this statement be changed such that it avoids putting blame on the reader? List some strategies that ensure a message does not blame a reader.

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Question 4

Consider a situation that a customer has written to complain about the poor service at the restaurant you are managing. You are aware that the problem occurred because two of the waiters had not turned up on that day, and you try to remedy the problem by offering a special discount on her next visit. Compose a message that emphasizes the positive and de-emphasizes the negative and is likely to build goodwill with a reader.

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Question 5

John is given the task of writing a review for a product and is required to include the positive and negative features of the product. In order to emphasize the pros and de-emphasize the cons of the product he must:

Accepted Answer

Starting and ending paragraphs with positive points while placing negative points in the middle is a common technique in persuasive writing to emphasize the positives and de-emphasize the negatives. This structure helps to leave the reader with a more favorable impression of the product by surrounding the negative aspects with positive ones.

Question 6

The excessive use of positive emphasis can be unethical as:

Accepted Answer

Excessive use of positive emphasis can result in the reader overlooking an important negative message, which can be considered unethical. It can result in the reader making decisions based on incomplete or incorrect information.

Question 7

Which of the following sentences will have the most positive effect?

Accepted Answer

This option offers a potential solution by offering a refund if the customer can provide the purchase invoice. It is also polite and non-accusatory in tone.

Question 8

Discuss the importance of a positive effect in business messages.

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Question 9

Detail how the use of conversational language helps build goodwill. For a topic of choice, write two statements, one formal and one in conversational style.

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Question 10

List at least five techniques that enhance courtesy in business messages.
Students' can list any five techniques from the given choices. 1) writing in conversational language 2) employing the you-viewpoint 3) choosing positive words 4) avoid blaming the reader 5) refrain from preaching 6) do more than what is expected? 7) be sincere

Accepted Answer

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Question 11

Less important information can best be de-emphasized in a business message by:

Accepted Answer

Including less important information as a modifying phrase can help de-emphasize it and prevent it from taking up too much space or distracting from the main point of the message.

Question 12

You can enhance the positivity of a business message by:

Accepted Answer

By minimizing the negative content and emphasizing the positive content, the message will convey a more optimistic and uplifting tone, which can enhance its positivity. This approach will also help to avoid sounding harsh or critical, which could create a negative impact on the recipient.

Question 13

Detail the three major techniques of emphasizing the positive and de-emphasizing the negative in business messages.

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Question 14

In the context of business messages, discuss preaching, its different forms and explain why it is not courteous to preach in business messages.

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Question 15

What are rubber stamps? Why is the use of rubber stamps detrimental to building goodwill with a reader?

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Quiz 5: Writing for a Positive Effect