Question 1

You can help give your documents a courteous effect by _____.

Accepted Answer

Refraining from blaming the reader helps maintain a courteous tone by avoiding negative or accusatory language, which can create a more positive and respectful interaction.

Question 2

Rewrite the following sentences without slang and business cliches:
1) We will not be able to attend to you at this point in time.
2) I'm certainly not going to throw you under the bus.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Rewrite the following sentences without slang and...

Question 3

The you-viewpoint is also called the _____.

Accepted Answer

The you-viewpoint is also known as the you-attitude, which is a communication strategy that emphasizes the needs, wants, and perspectives of the audience rather than the speaker.

Question 4

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 to avoid blaming the reader? List some strategies that help you avoid blaming the reader.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Consider the following statement: "We cannot exchange...

Question 5

The excessive use of positive emphasis can be unethical because it _____.

Accepted Answer

When positive emphasis is excessively used, it can cause the reader to overlook important negative messages. This can be unethical because it can result in the reader making a decision or taking an action based on incomplete information, which could ultimately harm them or others.

Question 6

Which of the following is the most useful way of emphasizing the positive and de-emphasizing the negative in your message?

Accepted Answer

Putting more positive points in the beginning of your message helps to create a positive tone from the start, making the audience more receptive to the message overall. This approach can effectively emphasize the positive aspects while the negative points, if they must be included, can be addressed in a way that they are overshadowed by the initial positive impression.

Question 7

Less important information can best be de-emphasized in a business message by including it _____.

Accepted Answer

Including less important information as a modifying phrase can make it seem like a secondary detail and therefore de-emphasized.

Question 8

Correct the following sentences:
1) The company needs to improve its' website.
2) After we choose the winner, we celebrated.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Correct the following sentences:
1) The company needs...

Question 9

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 should _____.

Accepted Answer

Starting and ending with positive points while placing negative points in the middle helps emphasize the pros and de-emphasize the cons, as readers tend to remember the first and last points more strongly.

Question 10

Which of the following statements best illustrates the conversational style?

Accepted Answer

The statement in option E is the most conversational because it is short, concise, and uses simple language. It also acknowledges receipt of a package in a friendly manner. The other statements are formal and include unnecessary details, making them less conversational.

Question 11

What are the three major techniques of emphasizing the positive and de-emphasizing the negative in business messages?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the three major techniques of...

Question 12

List at least five techniques that enhance courtesy in business messages.

Accepted Answer

The answer of List at least five techniques that enhance...

Question 13

Which of the following statements best illustrates the you-viewpoint?

Accepted Answer

This sentence is focused on the customer and their situation. It informs the customer that their refund has been approved and their account will be credited, addressing them directly. This uses the "you-viewpoint," which is more effective in communicating with customers.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are rubber stamps? Why is the...

Question 15

What are the three major transitional devices that make paragraphs coherent?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the three major transitional devices...

Question 16

What is a topic sentence?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is a topic sentence?...

Question 17

What is coherence?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is coherence?...

Question 18

Rewrite the following sentences using short words:
1) The proposed enhancement is under consideration.
2) They acceded to the proposition to undertake a collaborative venture.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Rewrite the following sentences using short words:
1)...

Question 19

Martina, an employee at a hotel, receives an email from a potential customer who wants to book one of the hotel's premiere suites for a weekend. Since all the suites have been booked for the date specified by the customer, Martina needs to turn down the customer's request. Which of the following delivers this message in the most positive manner?

Accepted Answer

This option acknowledges the unavailability of the premiere suites while still offering an alternative option. It also provides additional information on the alternative suites available, making it a more positive response than simply stating that the premier suites are unavailable.

Question 20

Which of the following sentences handles its subject most positively?

Accepted Answer

Option E is the most positive because it acknowledges the applicant's interest and holds their application for future openings. It also suggests that the company values the applicant's credentials and may consider them in the future.

Quiz 4: Using an Appropriate Style