Question 1

A work plan, which describes how you'll accomplish what must be done, states when work will begin, how it will be divided into stages, when you'll finish, and whether follow-up will be needed. This is usually included in the ________.

Accepted Answer

A work plan is usually included in the body of a proposal, as it outlines how the proposed work will be completed. It is not typically included in the introduction or close of a proposal or report.

Question 2

Using Adobe Acrobat or similar products, you can quickly convert reports and proposals to ________.

Accepted Answer

Adobe Acrobat or similar products can quickly convert reports and proposals to Portable Document Format (PDF), which is a widely accepted format for sharing documents across different platforms and devices. PDFs retain the original formatting and can be easily viewed and printed by anyone with a PDF reader.

Question 3

Meredith is creating a series of related reports. To help her she has decided to use ________.

Accepted Answer

Templates are a pre-designed document layout that can be used as a starting point for creating new documents. In this case, Meredith can use templates to create a consistent format for her series of reports.

Question 4

________ come after a body of material and summarize the information for your readers, helping them absorb details.

Accepted Answer

Review sections come after a body of material and summarize the information for readers. Footnotes provide additional information or sources, while preview sections give an overview of what is to come. Callouts are labels used to point out specific information within the text.

Question 5

In unsolicited proposals, convincing readers that a problem or an opportunity exists can be considered the ________.

Accepted Answer

In unsolicited proposals, convincing readers that a problem or an opportunity exists is typically found in the background or statement of the problem section. This section lays the foundation for the proposal and explains why the proposed solution is needed. The scope outlines the extent of the proposal and what will be covered. The solution provides the proposed plan to address the problem or opportunity. The report organization outlines the structure and sequence of the proposal.

Question 6

In the body of her proposal, Ruth is describing her organization's experience, personnel, and facilities, and relating them to readers' needs. She is also including a list of client references. This statement is known as the ________.

Accepted Answer

The statement that Ruth is including in her proposal is known as a statement of qualifications, which showcases the organization's experience, personnel, facilities, and references to build credibility with potential clients. A is incorrect because it refers to supporting evidence for conclusions, B is incorrect because it refers to the specific steps and timeline for completing a project, and D is incorrect because it refers to the standards or goals used to measure success.

Question 7

A good introduction will ________.

Accepted Answer

A good introduction will grab the reader's attention, creating interest and encouraging them to keep reading. It should provide a clear understanding of the purpose and scope of the proposal without being too lengthy or overwhelming. A good introduction can set a positive tone and lay the groundwork for a successful proposal. The other choices are not relevant to the purpose of an introduction.

Question 8

Erin has been asked to maintain a website. Therefore, she needs to ________.

Accepted Answer

Maintaining a website includes adding fresh content and deleting content that is out of date or no longer relevant to the organization's target audience. This ensures that the website stays current, engaging, and useful for visitors. The other options (A, B, and D) are important considerations for website content creation and organization, but they are not specifically related to website maintenance.

Question 9

In a report, discussing factors beyond your control that affect report quality is called ________.

Accepted Answer

Stating limitations is discussing factors beyond your control that affect report quality. It is important to acknowledge these limitations and how they may have affected the research findings. However, it is not an excuse for poor research as it is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and address these limitations to the best of their ability. Stating the problem/purpose and scope are important sections in a report, but they do not relate to discussing factors beyond your control.

Question 10

Proposal-writing software can automatically personalize proposals, ensure proper structure, and ________.

Accepted Answer

Proposal-writing software can organize storage of all your boilerplate text to make the proposal writing process faster and more efficient. However, it cannot replace the need for human input entirely.

Question 11

Look for ways to utilize technology to ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Look for ways to utilize technology to...

Question 12

Adapting online content for a global audience is the ideal, but it is expensive. Some companies deal with this issue by ________.

Accepted Answer

Localizing the homepage of a website but keeping the more detailed content in its original language is a cost-effective approach to adapting online content for a global audience. This allows the company to provide a welcoming and easily understandable first impression while also limiting the cost of translating all detailed content. Avoiding reader-oriented content, charging for access, or providing excessive detail are not effective solutions to this issue.

Question 13

The introduction of a proposal describes the problem you intend to solve or the opportunity you want to pursue, along with your suggested solution. However, proposal introductions can vary depending on whether the proposal is internal or external, direct or indirect, and, most obviously, when it is solicited or unsolicited. Which of the following proposal introductions would strengthen the argument that a solicited proposal should be direct in order to garner interest?

Accepted Answer

Option B is the best choice for a solicited proposal introduction because it directly addresses the client's request and offers a specific solution that meets their needs. It also includes a discount and a shorter completion time, which would be appealing to the client. Option A is too general and does not address the client's specific needs. Option C talks about the company's history and technology but does not focus on the client's request. Option D mentions a unique construction approach but does not address the client's specific needs or offer any incentives to choose their services.

Question 14

While closing a proposal, summarize key selling points and ________.

Accepted Answer

Summarizing the key selling points and benefits and restating your recommendations or conclusions reinforces the value of the proposal and encourages the reader to take action. Providing necessary additional information is important, but should be done earlier in the proposal. Restricting additional information to the appendix may be appropriate in some cases, but is not necessarily the best way to close the proposal. Restating the purpose of the proposal may be helpful, but is not as important as summarizing the key selling points and benefits.

Question 15

Simon has to create a long formal proposal. However, he is aware that today's readers are pressed for time and need help finding what they are looking for. To help the readers' navigation needs, Simon should ________.

Accepted Answer

Making good use of headings and links can help readers easily navigate a long proposal and find the information they need quickly. Limiting previews and reviews or putting additional information in the appendix would not address the issue of reader navigation, and creating shorter paragraphs alone may not be enough to guide readers through the proposal.

Question 16

Review of arguments, reader benefits, and the merits of your approach are generally included in the ________ of the proposal.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Review of arguments, reader benefits, and the...

Question 17

Most online readers won't dig for buried information. If they can't find the right information quickly, they will move on to another page or site. To avoid this, online content developers should ________.

Accepted Answer

The best choice is to present information in a concise, skimmable format. This will allow readers to easily find the information they need without having to dig through long paragraphs or lists. Avoiding lists and summaries (choice C) may actually make it harder for readers to quickly find the information they need. Preventing readers from skimming (choice A) is not a realistic or effective strategy. While covering the most important information briefly at first and then gradually revealing successive layers of detail (choice B) can be effective in some cases, it may not be necessary for all types of content or all audiences.

Question 18

Readers should be able to follow the structure of your document and pick up the key points of your message from the ________.

Accepted Answer

Headings and subheadings are designed to provide a clear structure for a document or piece of writing. They allow readers to quickly identify the main points and topic areas, making it easier to follow the flow of the argument or narrative. Therefore, it is important to ensure that headings and subheadings are used effectively in order to create a document that is easy to navigate and read.

Question 19

Amy is aware of the benefits of wikis and finds them compelling, but she is concerned that ________.

Accepted Answer

Wikis require a unique approach to writing, as they are collaborative and often involve multiple contributors, which can be a concern for someone used to traditional writing methods.

Question 20

________ introduce(s) important topics by helping readers get ready for new information.

Accepted Answer

Preview sections help readers anticipate and prepare for the new information that will be presented, effectively introducing important topics.

Quiz 11: Writing and Completing Reports and Proposals