Business Communication Today 13th Edition

While you're making design choices for an electronic slide deck, let simplicity be your guide because A) simple materials often take less time to create. B) simple visuals are less likely to be misinterpreted. C) keeping things simple reduces the chances of something going wrong. D) all of the above. Answer: DExplanation: D) Creating simple

Short words are generally more vivid and easier to read than long words. Answer: TRUEExplanation: When in doubt, replace long words with short words. Use long words only if they express your idea better than short words. For example, the words "tough" or "brave" are usually more effective than longer words

The reference to a bar chart in your report on advertising costs should A) come directly after the chart itself appears. B) precede the chart. C) come on the page following the chart, and refer to it as "the abovementioned pie chart." D) include copyright information. Answer: BExplanation: B) Readers find it less confusing when

If you are sending an informative memo to employees about policy statements or procedural changes, you should A) assume that employees will have a neutral response. B) use the indirect approach. C) use the body of the message to provide all the necessary details. D) do all of the above. Answer: CExplanation: C) The body

Which of the following is the best example of an ethical dilemma? A) Deciding whether to promote the employee who has the better performance record or the employee who seems to be the better leader B) Deciding whether to tell an employee that she needs to improve her performance C) Deciding whether to

If you're marketing a new security system to an audience of wealthy professionals, the consumer benefit you would most want to emphasize is A) protection of the consumer's property. B) the low cost of the system. C) the low monthly payments for the service. D) easy, do-it-yourself installation. Answer: AExplanation: A) A wealthy audience is

When discussing topics of profound importance to your audience, you can usually count on having their attention as soon as you introduce your main idea. Answer: TRUEExplanation: The trick is to find issues that your audience really cares about that can be linked to your message. If you can combine an

In business documents, abbreviations such as U.S.A. and M.B.A. must always contain periods. Answer: FALSEExplanation: Periods in common abbreviations may be omitted or not. Spaces between letters are never used. FALSEExplanation: Periods in common abbreviations may be omitted or not. Spaces between letters are never used. FALSE Explanation: Periods in common abbreviations may be

According to the theory of nonverbal communication, touch A) is the least important form of nonverbal communication. B) is the great equalizer, putting people of different status on the same footing. C) should be completely avoided in all business situations. D) is governed by cultural customs that establish who can touch whom and when.

The basic purpose of informational reports is A) to persuade the audience to act. B) to present recommendations and conclusions to a superior for how to solve a particular problem. C) to present data, facts, feedback, and other types of information, without analysis or recommendations. D) to convince the reader of the soundness of

Cultural context refers to the pattern of physical cues, environmental stimuli, and implicit understanding that conveys meaning between members of the same culture. Answer: TRUEExplanation: The two major patterns have been termed high-context culture and low-context culture. High-context cultures are prevalent in many Asian countries, while low-context cultures are seen in

Because phone calls lack the visual richness of face-to-face conversations, you'll need to use ________ to convey confidence and professionalism. A) questions and social media B) smartphones and apps C) context and subject matter D) attitude and tone of voice Answer: DExplanation: D) Because phone calls lack the visual richness of face-to-face conversations,you have to

A new coworker recently won a prestigious award for her work on green technologies. Since you do not know her well, you should not send a note to congratulate her on the achievement. Answer: FALSEExplanation: A letter of congratulation is always appreciated, even by those whom you don't know well. A

The Modern Language Association of America recommends compiling the list of references after you've written your report. Answer: FALSEExplanation: The MLA Style Manual recommends preparing the list of works cited first so that you will know what information to include for in-text parenthetical citations. FALSEExplanation: The MLA Style Manual recommends preparing the

When preparing text slides for an upcoming presentation, you should A) try to have a slide to go with every concept you want to convey. B) be sure to use complete sentences. C) limit each slide to expressing a single thought, concept, or idea. D) do none of the above. Answer: CExplanation: C) Good design

Reports that examine the financial aspects of a proposed decision, such as acquiring another company, are called due diligence reports. Answer: TRUEExplanation: The concept of "due diligence" requires that a company do its homework with regard to the financial aspects of an opportunity, transaction, or investment. Specifically, what are the risks,

________ is a measure of how effectively a company engages with its various online stakeholders in a mutually beneficial exchange of information. A) Impression management B) Marketplace share C) Product potentiality D) Brand socialization Answer: DExplanation: D) Socializing a brand is becoming an increasingly important element of marketing and public relations strategies. DExplanation: D) Socializing a

If you request a recommendation from a person you haven't had contact with recently, you should A) use the opening of your letter to refresh the person's memory. B) enclose a stamped, preaddressed envelope. C) use the persuasive approach. D) use the bad-news approach. Answer: AExplanation: A) An old college professor, for example, may have

If a newspaper article doesn't have an author, your citation begins with the title of the newspaper. Answer: FALSEExplanation: If the author of an article is anonymous, the title of the article should come first. FALSEExplanation: If the author of an article is anonymous, the title of the article should come first. FALSE Explanation:

A report focused on recommendations should A) first establish or verify the need for action. B) not include conclusions. C) avoid mentioning any potential risks. D) outline costs, but not in detail. Answer: AExplanation: A) Recommendations must specify some kind of action. In some cases, such as when circumstances are murky or unclear, it is

Which of the following is NOT a useful strategy in preparing business reports? A) Understand and meet audience expectations. B) Use the same format for reports, regardless of topic. C) Keep your report as short as possible. D) All of the above are useful strategies. Answer: BExplanation: B) Different report topics require different formats. Compliance

________ focuses on the process and outcomes of communication, whereas ________ delivers criticism with no guidance to stimulate improvement. A) Intuitive feedback; rational feedback B) Circular feedback; linear feedback C) Open feedback; closed feedback D) Constructive feedback; destructive feedback Answer: DExplanation: D) Constructive feedback focuses on the process and outcomes of communication. In contrast, destructive

Demographic information includes people's psychological characteristics, such as personality, attitudes, and lifestyle. Answer: FALSEExplanation: Demographic data is limited to non-psychological characteristics such as age,income, gender, and educational level. FALSEExplanation: Demographic data is limited to non-psychological characteristics such as age,income, gender, and educational level. FALSE Explanation: Demographic data is limited to non-psychological characteristics such as

Grammarians and professional editors agree on the rules of grammar. Answer: FALSEExplanation: The rules of grammar and usage are complex, and some rules evolve. Even editors and grammarians can disagree about correct usage. FALSEExplanation: The rules of grammar and usage are complex, and some rules evolve. Even editors and grammarians can disagree

When creating text or graphics slides, it is important to keep content and graphics as simple and readable as possible. Answer: TRUEExplanation: Simplicity has several advantages. Creating simple items is usually easier andtakes less time than complicated graphics. Keeping it simple has benefits for the viewer as well, reducing the likelihood

Analytical reports for skeptical audiences should generally follow the ________ approach. A) direct B) indirect C) hypothetical D) aggressive Answer: BExplanation: B) When the audience is hostile or skeptical, you need to build a case to convince the audience to accept your conclusions. The indirect approach uses logic and evidence to lead the audience to

A prospecting job application letter should begin with a statement designed to get the reader's attention. Answer: TRUEExplanation: In an unsolicited job application letter, you are 'selling" yourself, so catching the attention of your recipient is crucial. If you can arouse interest, the recipient is likely toread the rest of your

When conducting business with others who speak a language other than English, it is best to avoid trying to speak any words or phrases in their language. Answer: FALSEExplanation: Rather than being frowned upon, any honest effort to use the language of a foreign businessperson is almost always appreciated. FALSEExplanation: Rather than

If the interviewer makes you a job offer and you begin to discuss salary, you should A) be sure to raise the topic before the interviewer. B) pick a salary number that is 20 percent higher than the industry standard. C) say that your salary requirements are negotiable. D) do all of the above.

The best opening for a positive message includes the single most important information you need to give the audience. Answer: TRUEExplanation: In a positive message, include your main idea right up front. There is nothing to be gained by being indirect. TRUEExplanation: In a positive message, include your main idea right up

Business communication uses of microblogging are limited to the publication of brief updates. Answer: FALSEExplanation: In addition to providing brief updates, business communication uses of microblogging include announcing headlines of new blog posts, sharing information from experts, offering sales coupons, serving customers, and more. FALSEExplanation: In addition to providing brief updates, business

In preparing a speaking outline for your presentation, avoid cluttering it with complete sentences. Answer: FALSEExplanation: Major points and transitional sentences should be written out as complete sentences. FALSEExplanation: Major points and transitional sentences should be written out as complete sentences. FALSE Explanation: Major points and transitional sentences should be written out as complete

Because they contain more textual information than structured slides, free-form slides require less preparation and practice on the part of the speaker. Answer: FALSEExplanation: Free-form slides contain less, not more text information than structured slides. They also require as much or more planning than structured slides. A single free-form presentation typically

All of the following are examples of unethical communication except A) using jargon. B) selective misquoting. C) distorting visuals. D) plagiarism. Answer: AExplanation: A) Jargon may be annoying and may constitute a barrier to effective communication. Since using jargon isn't morally unacceptable, however, its use isn't unethical. AExplanation: A) Jargon may be annoying and may constitute

If you receive a job offer but you're waiting to hear from other possible employers, you can ask the employer for a A) statement of intent. B) time extension. C) do-over. D) rain check. Answer: BExplanation: B) When asking for a time extension explain your situation clearly and honestly and assure the recipient that you

Unlike structured slides, free-form slides A) are completely random and have no design consistency. B) don't follow a rigid design structure. C) use the same color for background and text. D) contain extra-large fonts. Answer: BExplanation: B) Free-form designs often have more impact on the viewer than structured designs because they use visual imagery in