Questions from Business Communication

Q: Discuss why just reporting truthfully may not be a sufficient strategy for

Discuss why just reporting truthfully may not be a sufficient strategy for handling negative information in messages answering inquiries.

Q: Defend a policy of doing more than asked in answering routine inquiries

Defend a policy of doing more than asked in answering routine inquiries. Can the policy be carried too far?

Q: What can acknowledgment messages do to build goodwill?

What can acknowledgment messages do to build goodwill?

Q: Discuss how problems (vague orders, back orders) should be

Discuss how problems (vague orders, back orders) should be handled in messages acknowledging orders.

Q: Word processing programs are the writer’s primary tool. Identify five basic

Word processing programs are the writer’s primary tool. Identify five basic features and two advanced features useful to business writers.

Q: When would you use the direct approach to write a claim?

When would you use the direct approach to write a claim? When would you use the indirect approach to write a claim?

Q: Discuss the use of directness in internal-operational communications. Why

Discuss the use of directness in internal-operational communications. Why is it desirable? Can it be overdone? When might indirectness be appropriate?

Q: Writing in the indirect order usually requires a buffer, making indirect

Writing in the indirect order usually requires a buffer, making indirect messages longer than direct messages. Since conciseness is a virtue in business writing, how can the indirect order be justifie...

Q: “Apologies in refusals are negative because they call attention to what

“Apologies in refusals are negative because they call attention to what you are refusing. You should avoid using them.” Discuss.

Q: Some business writers explain an adjustment refusal simply by saying that company

Some business writers explain an adjustment refusal simply by saying that company policy did not permit granting claims in such cases. Is citing company policy adequate? Discuss.