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Q:
Describe the characteristics of effective links in online content.
Q:
What can you do to improve the readability of online content?
Q:
If you're creating a wiki, don't worry about a long-term purpose. Instead, just let your creativity flow.
Q:
When you're using a direct approach to present a report, use ________; however, ________ will be more effective, if you're using an indirect approach to present a report.
A) descriptive headings; informative headings
B) structured headings; unstructured headings
C) informative headings; descriptive headings
D) parallel headings; decorative headings
E) structured headings; descriptive headings
Q:
When writing content to post on the web, keep in mind that careful readers tend to be
A) resentful of online content.
B) receptive to online content.
C) skeptical of online content.
D) indifferent to online content.
E) bored by online content.
Q:
In an online report, headings
A) should rarely be used.
B) can be used as links to other sections of the report.
C) are considered trendy and should usually be avoided.
D) complicate the organization of your report by enabling readers to jump from section to section.
E) should never be longer than one word.
Q:
Using templates in preparing reports
A) limits your creativity and makes your report look ordinary.
B) is a sign of incompetence.
C) ensures new content matches the rest of the wiki.
D) is costly and time-consuming.
E) usually makes reports more difficult to read.
Q:
When you're drafting website content, ________ will help visitors find what they want fast and encourage them to return to your site for more information.
A) adding effective links
B) avoiding lists
C) using major headings but not subheadings
D) writing in a journalistic style
E) presenting them most favorable information first
Q:
The primary value of a wiki stems from
A) the recognition it offers to individual authors.
B) its focus on a single, expert perspective.
C) the collective insight of all its contributors.
D) a patented algorithm that expedites global product shipments.
E) its ability to deliver short messages to diverse groups in real time.
Q:
One of the benefits of using proposal-writing software when developing proposals is its ability to
A) answer questions about the RFP.
B) eliminate previous contact information.
C) create a centralized knowledge base.
D) ensure proper structure.
E) develop boilerplate text.
Q:
When preparing electronic forms for a report that is recurring, the use of ________ will save time overall.
A) embedded links
B) form tools
C) PDF files
D) infographics
E) proposal-writing software
Q:
When drafting content for online reports, it is helpful to use the inverted pyramid style of organization in which you
A) cover the most important information first and then gradually reveal more detail.
B) cover the least important information first and work your way to the main idea.
C) pretend you're headed in one direction, and reveal your true intentions at the end.
D) walk readers through arguments you don't support, and then explain why.
E) use as many complex sentences as possible.
Q:
What elements are normally included in the body of a formal proposal?
Q:
Describe six strategies (in addition to using the AIDA format) for strengthening your argument in business proposals.
Q:
List and briefly explain five characteristics of effective report content.
Q:
In what forms can transitions be written in a business report?
Q:
In a business report, where should you define terms that might be unfamiliar to your audience?
Q:
List three functions of the close in a business report.
Q:
What is the purpose of each of the three main sections of a business report?
Q:
When would you increase the formality of business reports?
Q:
Linking a spreadsheet to your report will help ensure that readers are always seeing the most up-to-date information.
Q:
When you're responding to a solicited proposal, ignore any stipulations in the RFP that could diminish your chances of winning the contract.
Q:
When writing a proposal, an indication of pricing and financial concerns should be addressed in the
A) proposed solution.
B) work plan.
C) statement of qualifications.
D) body of the proposal.
E) summary.
Q:
Which one of the following is not an element of a work plan in the body of an unsolicited proposal?
A) an explanation of the steps you'll take, their timing, and the methods or resources you'll use
B) persuasive material to convince readers that a problem or an opportunity exists
C) information about when work will start, how it will be monitored, and when it will end
D) a description of how you'll accomplish what must be done
E) an indication of the costs and other financial issues
Q:
In order to help your readers make informed decisions,
A) tell them what they need to knowno more, no less.
B) withhold information that doesn't suit your needs.
C) present your raw data, so they can compile it as they see fit.
D) manipulate the data to smooth out negative trends.
E) develop a list of correct choices.
Q:
Don't ________ in the closing section of a business report.
A) summarize the key points
B) introduce new material to expand the scope
C) list all of the action items
D) present the benefits of following the recommendations
E) present the benefits of key ideas
Q:
The introduction of a business report should
A) discuss your conclusions or recommendations.
B) include all of your information sources.
C) carry the full weight of your message.
D) help readers understand the context of the report.
E) propose a solution.
Q:
An ________ is important when a letter of transmittal is not included in a formal report.
A) introduction to the report
B) offer to provide additional information or assistance
C) authorization of the report
D) acknowledgment of help received while preparing the report
E) executive summary
Q:
Within the context of preparing formal reports and proposals, the term limitations refers to
A) the boundaries of your proposal, what you can and can't do.
B) excuses for inadequate research or a poorly written report.
C) factors beyond your control that have affected the report's outcome.
D) the risks and rewards of a specific course of action.
E) the costs and benefits of a specific course of action.
Q:
In an online report regarding your region's potential for market growth, the best way to include a spreadsheet containing last year's sales figures would be to
A) embed the spreadsheet in your report.
B) include the spreadsheet in an appendix.
C) simply insert the spreadsheet using Microsoft Word.
D) link the spreadsheet to your report.
E) send a hard copy.
Q:
The general purpose of any ________ is to persuade the audience to do something.
A) proposal
B) presentation
C) press release
D) research report
E) pictograph
Q:
When preparing review sections in a report,
A) always write them in narrative form, not as lists.
B) use multiple review sections if the report is long and complex.
C) introduce new facts and information to support the review points.
D) make it clear that readers can skip them if they want to.
E) include illustrations as often as possible.
Q:
Which of the following would be the most effective preview in a formal report?
A) Our sales in the eastern region have plummeted.
B) First, let me begin by introducing our team.
C) The next section discusses the advantages of advertising on the Internet.
D) Okay, now for the mundane part.
E) You probably won't like this, but here it comes.
Q:
Effective transitions in business reports
A) should never be longer than a short phrase.
B) may be as long as a sentence.
C) may be as long as a paragraph.
D) are included only between major sections"never within each section.
E) are usually developed as a heading.
Q:
Including transitions and other directional aids is important
A) in online reports, but not usually necessary in written ones.
B) to help the audience understand how one thought is related to another.
C) when the audience is unfamiliar with the topic.
D) in any report longer than a couple of pages.
E) except on requests for proposals.
Q:
When developing a document electronically, it should be
A) embedded in an email.
B) sent as a PDF.
C) linked to a live file.
D) void of multimedia elements.
E) developed using proposal writing software.
Q:
The closing section of a proposal should
A) ask for a decision from the reader.
B) review costs.
C) identify when each step of the proposal will be completed.
D) describe the proposed solution in detail.
E) include a list of client references.
Q:
In a proposal, the statement of qualifications
A) presents the concept, product, or service you're proposing.
B) delineates the costs involved in your proposed solution.
C) describes your company's experience, personnel, and facilities.
D) asks a decision-maker to authorize your proposed solution.
E) orients readers to the information that the proposal will include.
Q:
The work plan section of a formal proposal
A) is presented in the conclusion.
B) is contractually binding if the proposal is accepted.
C) delineates the costs involved in your proposed solution.
D) describes your organization's experience, personnel, and facilities.
E) points out the advantages that your company can offer.
Q:
In the body of a proposal, you should describe
A) the change you propose, but briefly.
B) the reader's situation and the need for change.
C) why the problem exists.
D) the organization's experience in this area.
E) what you will and will not do.
Q:
The solution section in a proposal
A) explains how your proposal will help readers meet their business objectives.
B) reviews the reader's situation and established the need for action.
C) states the boundaries of the proposal.
D) convinces the reader that a problem or an opportunity exists.
E) orients the reader to major divisions of information.
Q:
Which section of the introduction identifies what is, and isn't, covered in the report?
A) background
B) report organization
C) scope
D) sources and methods
E) problem/opportunity/purpose
Q:
The introduction of a solicited proposal
A) need not be as detailed as that of an unsolicited proposal.
B) should refer specifically to the RFP that initiated it.
C) should downplay the magnitude of the problem you're addressing.
D) is expected to be much longer than that of an unsolicited proposal.
E) should always shock the audience in order to get their attention.
Q:
Generally speaking, an effective proposal can
A) follow the AIDA model.
B) follow the plan for good-news messages.
C) avoid the "you" attitude.
D) be as vague as possible.
E) rely entirely on primary evidence.
Q:
If you end up with multiple conclusions, recommendations, or actions in your report, it is best to
A) go back to the drawing board and cut them down to one or two, at the most.
B) combine similar items to make it easy on your readers.
C) number and list them.
D) leave them out of the report itself and include them in an appendix.
E) eliminate less important ones to make the report sound more professional and confident.
Q:
A report's close should
A) provide hints on what the audience should do so that you don't sound like you're giving orders.
B) instruct your audience to contact you about what they should do next.
C) make sure your readers understand exactly what's expected of them and when it's expected.
D) imply dire consequences if the goals are not achieved.
E) minimize the impact of the main points of the message.
Q:
Any terms in the report that are unfamiliar to the audience should be defined in the
A) introduction.
B) body.
C) explanatory notes.
D) summary.
E) appendix.
Q:
In the introduction to a report on how to establish a paperless office, explaining the historical conditions or factors that led up to the report
A) enables readers to understand how the opportunity developed.
B) is unnecessary in internal reports.
C) diminishes your credibility by wasting readers' time.
D) is necessary only in very formal reports.
E) is likely to convince the audience without any further information.
Q:
The close of a report should
A) include new data for one last, meaningful impact.
B) tell the reader what will happen if they don't implement what was discussed in the paper.
C) bring all action items together and give details about who should do what, when, where, and how.
D) explain why you are passionate about making the proposed changes.
E) end with an insightful quote, fact or statistic.
Q:
The detailed evidence needed to support your conclusions and recommendations should appear in the ________ of your report.
A) opening
B) body
C) close
D) recommendation
E) summary
Q:
The introduction (or opening) of a business report or proposal should always
A) outline your conclusions or recommendations.
B) list all the sources from which you draw information.
C) provide a detailed description of your qualifications to write the report.
D) indicate why the subject of the report is important.
E) begin with a humorous anecdote.
Q:
When you're writing a report, you can adapt to your intended audience by
A) avoiding the "you" attitude.
B) using technical jargon.
C) using a format consistent with all other communications.
D) using an informal style and tone.
E) being sensitive to the audience's needs.
Q:
When writing business reports for outsiders (such as customers or suppliers), it is best to
A) use a more formal tone than you would for an internal audience.
B) use a less formal tone than you would for an internal audience.
C) include personal references such as "you" and "us."
D) use a great deal of idiomatic language.
E) use contractions whenever possible.
Q:
Effective report writers use ________ to introduce sections that include important or complex topics and ________ to help readers absorb the information they just read.
A) foresight; reflection
B) inclusive ideas; deductive reasoning
C) hedging sections; forecasting sections
D) informational taglines; summary statements
E) preview sections; review sections
Q:
The writing style for a report should be more formal if
A) you know your readers reasonably well.
B) your report is internal.
C) the subject is controversial or complex.
D) the report is relatively short.
E) you are not confident in your conclusions.
Q:
Writing for audiences of another culture usually requires
A) a more formal style.
B) a humorous anecdote.
C) colorful adjectives or adverbs.
D) the use of contractions such as we've to retain a conversational tone.
E) the use of as much jargon as possible.
Q:
To gain credibility with your audience in business reports, verifying facts and references will help to ensure
A) completeness.
B) accuracy.
C) the report is well balanced.
D) the report is clear and logical.
E) proper documentation.
Q:
How do executives utilize an executive dashboard?
Q:
Briefly explain the primary function of a statement of purpose, and then indicate the most useful way to phrase one.
Q:
In business reports, it is never appropriate to combine the direct and indirect approaches by revealing conclusions and recommendations as you go along.
Q:
The direct approach is the most popular strategy for business reports.
Q:
An executive dashboard is a customized online presentation of highly summarized business information.
Q:
The statement of purpose for analytical reports will usually need to be more comprehensive than one for informational reports.
Q:
Internal reports are more likely to be misinterpreted than external reports.
Q:
When preparing content for mobile devices, a(n) ________ will help leadership easily locate key variables and other report content.
A) intranet
B) hard copy report
C) email
D) chart or graph
E) executive dashboard
Q:
The direct approach and the indirect approach ________; therefore, businesspeople ________.
A) are unrelated; use them randomly
B) are both inadequate; never use them
C) both have merit; often combine them
D) both have merit; never combine them
E) are both unique; never combine them
Q:
Whereas ________ reports focus on facts, ________ reports offer interpretation and can also include recommendations.
A) internal; external
B) assessment; documentation
C) solicited; unsolicited
D) informational; analytical
E) direct; analytical
Q:
An employee who describes the data she collected from six different plant managers without drawing any conclusions is preparing
A) an analytical report.
B) an informational report.
C) a proposal.
D) a work plan.
E) a justification report.
Q:
Which of the following is 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 detailed as possible.
D) Write the report for delivery through one media outlet.
E) Use an indirect approach whenever possible.
Q:
When outlining the content of your report,
A) it is preferable to use informative headings as opposed to descriptive ones.
B) you should use complex language for all headings.
C) keep in mind that you will have to use this same outline for your final report.
D) identify general topic areas.
E) start with vague ideas and build up to ideas with more depth.
Q:
When selecting the right medium for a report,
A) you should choose the ones that are most convenient.
B) you should choose the ones that are most economical.
C) your decisions should reflect your audience's expectations.
D) you should always present your report in writing.
E) you should choose the one easiest to store.
Q:
All of the following except ________ are elements in the planning phase of the three-step writing process.
A) analyzing the situation
B) adapting to your audience
C) gathering information
D) selecting the right medium
E) organizing information
Q:
The best way to phrase the purpose statement of a report is with
A) complex language.
B) an infinitive phrase.
C) a controversial statement.
D) jargon.
E) compelling arguments.
Q:
When you're preparing a formal work plan, include a ________ to clarify the problem you face and a ________ to describe what you plan to accomplish.
A) statistical analysis; hypothesis
B) problem statement; purpose statement
C) yardstick; problem statement
D) descriptive standard; goal analysis
E) hypothesis; work plan
Q:
When you're outlining your report, using ________ requires you to really think through the content, whereas using ________ simply requires you to identify topic areas.
A) prescriptive headings; parallel headings
B) effective headings; ineffective headings
C) informative headings; descriptive headings
D) multilateral headings; unilateral headings
E) subjective headings; transitional headings
Q:
In addition to offering information and analysis, ________ can also include recommendations.
A) indirect reports
B) analytical reports
C) informational reports
D) directive reports
E) socioeconomic reports
Q:
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 your thinking.
E) to change the audience's opinion on your topic.
Q:
The ________ for a report describes what you plan to accomplish and outlines the boundaries of your work.
A) mission brief
B) statement of purpose
C) outcome forecast
D) intention statement
E) scope
Q:
What is the difference between a solicited and an unsolicited proposal?
Q:
The primary purpose of an internal proposal is either to request funds and management support for new projects or to obtain permission to take action on specific projects.