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5: Writing Business Messages 5-1
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
5.1. The “you” attitude is not simply a matter of using one pronoun rather than another; it’s a matter of
communication (See MyBCommLab for additional insights)
5.2. Establishing credibility with an audience of strangers will help listeners &nd you believable, reliable, and
communication
5.3. Passive voice is appropriate when you are diploma cally men oning a problem or error, when you are
5.4. An abstract word expresses a concept, quality, or characteris c and is generally broad. A concrete word
and oral communication
5.5. A word’s denota ve meaning is the literal meaning that would be found in the dic onary. The
[LO-4] AACSB: Written and oral communication
5.6. Writers can emphasize key ideas through sentence style by describing an important element with more
detail, adding a separate, short sentence to augment the thought, making a thought the subject of a
sentence, or placing the key idea either at the beginning or the end of a sentence. In complex sentences,
communication
5.7. The topic sentence is the sentence that introduces the topic of the paragraph so that readers know what
5.8. Transi ons improve the coherence of written messages. They can help guide readers through your ideas,
linking the ideas together smoothly by indica ng how they are related or what connec ons you are
5.9. Reading is more difficult on small screens, and consequently users’ ability to comprehend what they read
on mobile devices is lower than it is on larger screens. In fact, research shows that comprehension can
[LO-7] AACSB: Information technology
Copyright © 2018 Bovée and Thill LLC
5: Writing Business Messages 5-2
APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE
5.10. Both common sense and legal precedent suggest that manufacturers have a clear responsibility to alert
consumers about allergens in foods. However, providing e<ec ve warnings on packages is one thing, and
MyBCommLab for additional insights)
5.11. The key to communica ng in an authen c voice while also projec ng your company’s desired image
starts with understanding the meaning of “authen c” in this context. It doesn’t mean your “natural self,”
insights)
5.12. Being an expert means having thorough understanding of the subject at hand, which is independent of
language usage habits. Of course, it means you need to grasp the terminology of a par cular &eld, which
might be advanced or obscure, but that doesn’t mean you need to communicate with others in that
language. In fact, the ability to explain complex ideas in simple language is a good sign that you really do
5.13. In most cases, audiences in business will skim messages rather than read them carefully. For this reason,
MyBCommLab for additional insights)
5.14. The indirect approach can be challenging to implement on messages intended for mobile devices
PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS
5.15. Message for Analysis Students should note that this message lacks professionalism. It’s too informal and
uses the “I” attitude rather than the “you” attitude. The writer’s tone reAects excessive enthusiasm, and
Copyright © 2018 Bovée and Thill LLC
5: Writing Business Messages 5-3
Our e-tailing site, www.BestBabyGear.com, provides carefully selected, high-quality
products designed for newborns, infants, and toddlers. With their high quality and
[LO-1] [LO-3] AACSB: Written and oral communication
Exercises
Writing: Communicating with Sensitivity and Tact These phrases have a soCer tone: [LO-1] AACSB:
Written and oral communication
5.16. We understand that
5.17. We do not
5.18. Your order does not include [something]
Writing: Demonstrating the “You” A7tude These revisions reAect the reader’s viewpoint: [LO-1] AACSB:
Written and oral communication
5.26. To ensure accurate and mely processing of your order, please use the order form on our website. Here’s
the link:
Copyright © 2018 Bovée and Thill LLC
5: Writing Business Messages 5-4
am eager to put my skills to work for you.
5.30. Here is the $25 refund you requested.
5.31. Learning how to use the machinery will help demonstrate your commitment to doing a good job.
Writing: Emphasizing the Positive These revisions have a more posi ve slant: [LO-1] AACSB: Written
and oral communication
5.36. So that your credit ra ng can be preserved, please remit your payment within 10 days.
Writing: Using Unbiased Language The following versions eliminate bias: [LO-1] AACSB: Written and
oral communication
5.41. Maggie certainly is outgoing.
5.42. Using a wheelchair doesn’t a<ect his job performance.
Copyright © 2018 Bovée and Thill LLC
5: Writing Business Messages 5-5
5.46. Students should think through the overall message they want to send so that each tweet is an e<ec ve
[LO-2] AACSB: Information technology
5.47. Students should start by considering the an cipated e<ects of any sta< reduc ons, both short term and
long term, on the community in which this company does business. For instance, some employers have
message and may leave before the company would like them to. In addition, many employees are
the lines of “Unless business conditions change, we anticipate further reductions in the future, but
[LO-3] AACSB: Ethical understanding and reasoning
5.48. Whatever business ideas students select, their summary should reAect an understanding of what it
means to craC a coherent paragraph. The topic sentence should deal with a single topic. Support
Copyright © 2018 Bovée and Thill LLC
5: Writing Business Messages 5-6
5.52. Saved 19 minutes
Here are the sentences, purged of clichés: [LO-4] AACSB: Written and oral communication
5.60. Dave’s adaptability served him well in his new selling job.
5.65. begin
5.66. end
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5: Writing Business Messages 5-7
5.74. tell
5.75. change
These phrases replace the obsolete versions: [LO-4] AACSB: Written and oral communication
5.80. As you suggested
Here are the sentences, rewritten in the ac ve voice: [LO-5] AACSB: Written and oral communication
and oral communication
5.91. One possible solu on demonstra ng the bene&ts of transi ons (italicized): [LO-6] AACSB: Written and
Copyright © 2018 Bovée and Thill LLC
5: Writing Business Messages 5-8
oral communication
Facing some of the toughest competitors in the world, Harley-Davidson had to make some
changes. First, the company introduced new products. Then Harley’s management team set out to
5.92. One possible solu on demonstra ng the bene&ts of transi ons (italicized): [LO-6] AACSB: Written and
oral communication
Whether you’re indulging in a doughnut in New York or California, Krispy Kreme wants you to
enjoy the same delicious taste with every bite, so the company maintains consistent product
quality by carefully controlling every step of the production process. First, they test all raw
5.93. Students should follow the guidelines in “Wri ng Messages for Mobile Devices.” [LO-7] AACSB:
Information technology
ASSISTED GRADING QUESTIONS (accessed on MyBCommLab)
5.94. Two aspects of digital media tend to make them prone to inadvertent e quette breakdowns: immediacy
and leanness. First, it’s easy to &re o< a message within seconds, par cularly in response to a message
that may have rubbed someone the wrong way. This immediacy can increase the chance of making
Information technology
5.95. The most e<ec ve way to make abstract ideas feel more concrete is to support abstract terms with
[LO-4] AACSB: Written and oral communication
Copyright © 2018 Bovée and Thill LLC
