45) Most RFPs spell out exactly what you should cover in your report and in what order.
46) Your writing approach for a proposal should be similar to that used for persuasive messages.
47) The general purpose of any proposal is to get your audience members to change their minds
about some important issue.
48) In a basic proposal, you should define the problem and summarize the solution you propose.
49) Using the “you” attitude is inappropriate when writing proposals.
50) If your proposal is solicited, its introduction should refer to the RFP specifically.
51) In a proposal to upgrade a potential client’s phone system, it would be arrogant to include
information about your company’s extensive experience with that type of work.
52) When it comes to formal proposals, it is impossible to oversell your message.
53) Once your proposal is accepted, you can start altering the work plan to make the schedule
and costs more realistic.
54) The close of a proposal is the right place to discuss any costs associated with your
recommendations.
55) In formal proposals, the close should be the longest section.
56) The body of a proposal on health insurance would be the best place to mention that your staff
includes several individuals with MD degrees.
57) In a formal proposal, it is unprofessional to point out your company’s advantages over its
competitors.
58) In the close of a proposal to install energy-saving light fixtures at a local hospital, it is not
necessary to emphasize client benefits if you think they are obvious.
59) If your proposal involves providing replacement machine parts that your company regularly
stocks, it is not necessary in the Work Plan section to describe how you’ll accomplish what must
be done.
60) Statements such as “The advantage of Cyberdyne over other companies is that a contract
with Cyberdyne automatically includes a service plan in which we are available for advice on a
24/7 basis” are inappropriate for formal proposals.
61) Headings and subheadings are especially vital for online reports.
62) Providing smooth transitions is necessary only when you’re writing a report for audiences
from other cultures who have difficulty tying different parts of your presentation together.
63) In business environments, you can usually assume that most members of your audience will
read your entire report.
64) Using a variety of formats for typefaces makes it easy for readers to navigate your proposal.
65) Including transitional phrases such as “As you can see” in a business report is helpful to
readers as they seek to understand the document.
66) In a long report, including review sections at the end of every major section block is
redundant and distracting.
67) Reviews can be written in a sentence format or in bulleted lists, but you should never
combine the two.
68) Report templates often identify the specific format recommended for headings.
69) When it comes to wikis, it is not necessary to think through a long-term purpose in the
planning step.
70) A well-run wiki encourages participants to edit and improve each other’s work.
71) A more ________ tone is generally appropriate for longer reports, those dealing with
controversial or complex information, and those that will be sent to other parts of the
organization or to outsiders.
72) A file that is ________ to a report will get updated automatically when you or someone else
updates the file.
73) Files that are ________ in a report are not connected to their original versions and will not be
updated automatically.
74) The introduction or opening of a business report should outline its ________ the factors
beyond your control that affect report quality.
75) In the ________ of a business report, include only enough detail to support your conclusions
and recommendations.
76) The general purpose of any ________ is to persuade readers to do something, such as
purchase goods or services, fund a project, or implement a program.
77) The introduction of a proposal should state the ________ or boundaries of the proposal—
what you will and will not do.
78) The ________ ________ of a proposal describes (among other things) how you’ll accomplish
what must be done, when the work will begin, and when it will be completed.
79) In a business proposal, the section describing the ________ you propose can be called
“Preliminary Analysis,” “Overview of Approach,” or something similar.
80) Words or phrases that tie ideas together and show how one thought relates to another are
known as ________ and are useful for keeping readers on track as they read your report.
81) ________ sections introduce important topics by helping readers get ready for new
information.
82) Use ________ sections after a body of material in a report to summarize the information for
your readers.
83) The body of a proposal often includes a statement of ________ in which you describe your
organization’s experience, personnel, and facilities—all in relation to reader needs.
84) When drafting online content, it is helpful to use the ________ ________ style of
organization, in which you cover the most important information briefly at first and then
gradually reveal successive layers of detail.
85) The ________ of a wiki is a “safe,” nonpublished section where team members can practice
editing and writing.
86) List three ways to increase the formality of business reports.
87) Rewrite the following sentence in a more formal tone, appropriate for a business report: “I
don’t think changing our mileage reimbursement policy would make things any better.”
88) Briefly explain the primary difference between linking and embedding files in business
reports.
89) What are the three main sections of a business report?
90) List three functions of the close in a business report.
91) In researching a proposal to expand your division, you find evidence that does not support
your line of reasoning. Should you include it in your report? Why or why not?
92) In a business report, what options do you have in terms of defining terms that might be
unfamiliar to your audience?
93) What does it mean to “package your proposal attractively”? Why is it important to do so?
94) In what forms can previews and reviews be written in a business report?
95) Briefly explain how to write effective links in online content.
96) List and briefly explain five characteristics of effective report content.
97) Describe six strategies (in addition to using the AIDA format) for strengthening your
argument in business proposals.
98) What four topics are commonly covered in the introduction to a business proposal? Briefly
explain each one.
99) In a formal proposal, where does the Work Plan section normally appear, and what
information does it contain? Can it be changed later?
100) Explain the wiki philosophy, and describe at least three points wiki contributors should
keep in mind to increase their effectiveness.