Chapter 04

Slashing wordy expressions means _______.

• 1. making your writing style more direct

• 1. making your writing more persuasive

• combining sentences so that you have fewer sentences overall

• 1. clarifying and shortening vague expressions

There is and It is are examples of _______.

• long lead-ins

• unnecessary fillers

• redundancies

• grammatical errors

Microblogging _______.

• 1. is ineffective for communication with customers

• 1. involves adding website links to a blog to encourage feedback from others

• 1. consists of short messages exchanged on social media networks

• 1. is performed primarily by corporate officials who write comments about their companies

Answer explanation

Microblogging consists of short messages exchanged on social media networks such as Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr. These messages may be written by customers or companies and made public or private.

Which of the following are tips one should follow when microblogging?

• Ignore spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors

• Include only the main ideas

• Depersonalize your message if possible

• Include long, vivid descriptions

Answer explanation

When microblogging, include only main ideas, choose descriptive but short words, personalize your message if possible, use hashtags to make your tweets easier to find, and be prepared to write several versions striving for conciseness, clarity, and correctness.

Katelyn is writing a letter to thank a potential employer for her job interview. Which of these sentences contains modern expressions Katelyn should use?

• 1. Thank you in advance for considering me for your available position.

• 1. You will note that my coursework has thoroughly prepared me for your medical technician position.

• 1. Enclosed herein please find the salary history you requested during the interview.

• 1. Pursuant to your request, I will return for a second interview on May 28.

Think outside the box is an example of _______.

• clear, precise language
  

• a buried verb
  

• a cliché

• outdated language

Expressions that are intended to impress rather than express are known as _______.

• clichés

• buzzwords
  

• trite phrases
  

• overly exuberant

Answer explanation

Buzzwords are technical expressions that have become fashionable and often are meant to impress rather than express.

Converting verbs into noun expressions _______.

• 1. decreases sentence length

• 1. reduces verb strength

• 1. increases the reader's ability to process the information

• 1. does all of these choices

Jordan is a marketing manager for a vacation resort. In writing a description of his resort, which of these descriptions illustrates clear writing that creates meaningful images and uses vivid adjectives?

• 1. The resort offers luxurious suites with Jacuzzi tubs and heated outdoor saunas.

• 1. The all-inclusive, top-notch resort offers totally marvelous suites with incredible extras.

• 1. The resort has nice rooms.

• 1. The resort offers all-inclusive amenities.

Which statement about margins and text alignment is true?

• Margins define the reading area and provide important visual relief.

• Nearly all text in Western cultures is aligned at the right.
  

• Business letters and memos usually have side margins of 2 inches.

• Ragged right margins decrease white space and readability.

Answer explanation

Margins determine the white space on a document, define the reading area, and provide important visual relief. Therefore, business letters and memos usually have side margins of 1 to 1 1⁄2 inches. Furthermore, nearly all text in Western cultures uses ragged right margins and is aligned at the left.