Chap 3

1. Formal research methods are generally required for what type(s) of business document(s)?

• Routine e-mail messages

• Routine memos

• Long reports and complex business problems

• All of these choices would require formal research.

2. Which of the following is a formal research method?

• Talking with your boss

• Organizing a focus group

• Brainstorming

• Looking in company files

3. Which formal research source is best to obtain firsthand information?

• Internet Web sites and articles

• Reference books

• Electronic databases

• Interviews

4. When brainstorming to generate ideas, you should

• critique each idea as it is suggested.

• record ideas without judging them.

• always work alone for greater efficiency.

• allow no more than five ideas to be discussed.

5. Organizing data includes two processes. These processes are

• grouping and strategizing.

• brainstorming and researching.

• outlining and drafting.

• drafting and editing.

6. According to communication experts, what is the greatest failing of business writers?

• Poor spelling

• Unclear sentence structure

• Ambiguous wording

• Poor organization

7. Organizing your ideas into an outline is especially important when you are

• developing a complex project.

• writing a routine memo.

• replying quickly to an e-mail message.

• beginning the research phase of the writing process.

8. The direct strategy would be most appropriate when

• delivering bad news.

• presenting ideas requiring persuasion.

• expecting the audience to be pleased, mildly interested, or neutral.

• revealing sensitive news.

9. Which of the following business messages would use the direct strategy?

• A letter denying credit to a customer

• A sales letter

• A letter rejecting a customer's claim

• An e-mail to your staff reminding them of the upcoming all-staff meeting

10. Which of the following is an advantage of the direct strategy?

• Minimizes a negative reaction

• Respects the feelings of the reader

• Saves the reader time

• Encourages a fair hearing