72) The second stage of the writing process involves adapting the message to the audience and
composing the first draft.
73) Gathering information through formal or informal methods is usually done in the writing
stage.
74) The general purpose of a business message is to inform, persuade, or collaborate with the
audience.
75) In business messages, you need to state your specific purpose as precisely as possible,
including identifying which audience members should respond, how, and when they should
respond.
76) In situations that require a report to be submitted to an audience whose needs are not
apparent, it is best to avoid too many details because information was not specifically requested.
77) Oral media include face-to-face conversation, speeches, presentations, and meetings.
78) The main advantage of oral communication over written communication is the ability to
control the message.
79) Written communication is best when you need to encourage interaction, express emotions, or
monitor emotional responses.
80) One advantage of email is its high level of privacy.
81) Today’s email systems are electronic versions of oral media.
82) Media richness depends in part on a medium’s ability to facilitate feedback.
83) The richest form of communication is face-to-face conversation.
84) Media richness refers to the relative costs of advertising in the various mass media.
85) Brainstorming is only effective when used by a group of people.
86) The mind-mapping technique asks who, what, when, where, why, and how questions to
distill major thoughts from unorganized information.
87) When writing a message, the direct approach opens with the main idea of the message and
supports that with reasoning, evidence, and examples.
88) If you expect an unfavorable audience response to your message, it is quite effective to state
your conclusions and recommendations up front.
89) For business messages, effective communication means always getting straight to the point.
90) Storytelling is an effective way to organize messages in a surprising number of business
communication scenarios, from recruiting and training employees to enticing investors and
customers.
91) Describe the three-step writing process.
92) Briefly explain the activities involved in the planning step of the writing process.
93) Briefly explain the activities involved in the writing step of the writing process.
94) Describe the activities involved in the final step of the writing process.
95) Compare the advantages and disadvantages of oral and written media, and give examples of
instances in which you would use each form of media.
96) Discuss the advantages of visual messages in cross-cultural communication.
97) Briefly describe at least four factors to consider in choosing a medium for your message.
98) Your organization decides to switch its top-down decision-making structure with a
participatory approach, in which all employees have a say in decision making. Draft the message
using first the direct and then the indirect approach. Describe the type of audience for each
approach and explain why that particular approach is necessary.
99) The authorities at a university are about to introduce tough new security measures to prevent
crime on campus. Students will have to carry identification at all times and some activities will
be restricted. Draft a message explaining the new rules using either the direct or indirect
approach. Explain which approach you think the university should use to communicate with the
students and why.
100) Using an example, explain the advantages of the storytelling method in business
communications.