Question 1

Describe six strategies (in addition to using the AIDA format)for strengthening your argument in business proposals.

Accepted Answer

Six strategies for making proposals more effective are (1)Demonstrate your knowledge in order to convince your audience that you have the knowledge and experience to solve the problem or address the opportunity outlined in your proposal. (2)Provide concrete, quantifiable information and examples instead of vague, unsupported generalizations. Spell out your plan and give details on how the job will be done. (3)Research the competition using trade publications and the Internet to become familiar with the products, services, and prices of other companies offering similar products or services. (4)Prove that your proposal is workable and compatible with your audience's capabilities and resources. (5)Adopt the "you" attitude, relating your product, service, or personnel to the reader's exact needs, either as stated in the RFP for a solicited proposal or as discovered through your own investigation for an unsolicited proposal. (6)Package your proposal attractively, insuring that it is letter perfect, inviting, and readable. Readers will prejudge the quality of your products or services by the proposal you submit.

Question 2

Which of the following is not an element normally included in the introduction of a proposal?

Accepted Answer

A) Background/statement of the problem or opportunity 
B) Proposed solution to the problem 
C) The scope of the proposal 
D) Statement of qualifications 
A) Background/statement of the problem or opportunity 
B) Proposed solution to the problem 
C) The scope of the proposal 
D) Statement of qualifications D

Question 3

Effective transitions in business reports

Accepted Answer

A) are limited to key words and short transitions. 
B) should not exceed the length of one sentence. 
C) may be as long as a paragraph. 
D) are included between major sections but never within each section. 
A) are limited to key words and short transitions. 
B) should not exceed the length of one sentence. 
C) may be as long as a paragraph. 
D) are included between major sections but never within each section. C

Question 4

The detailed proof needed to support your conclusions and recommendations should appear in the ________ of your report.

Accepted Answer

A) opening 
B) body 
C) close 
D) appendix 
A) opening 
B) body 
C) close 
D) appendix

Question 5

Don't ________ in the closing section of a business report.

Accepted Answer

A) summarize the key points included in the report 
B) introduce new material to expand the scope of the report 
C) bring all of the action items together in one place 
D) present the benefits of following the report's recommendations 
A) summarize the key points included in the report 
B) introduce new material to expand the scope of the report 
C) bring all of the action items together in one place 
D) present the benefits of following the report's recommendations

Question 6

The close of a formal proposal emphasizes the benefits that readers will realize from your solution.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

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.

Accepted Answer

transitions
Explanation:Transi

Question 8

If you're writing a formal business report, you should

Accepted Answer

A) use the impersonal journalism style. 
B) rely on first-and second-person pronouns. 
C) focus on similes, metaphors, and colorful language. 
D) use contractions to engage your audience. 
A) use the impersonal journalism style. 
B) rely on first-and second-person pronouns. 
C) focus on similes, metaphors, and colorful language. 
D) use contractions to engage your audience.

Question 9

A(n)________ ________ is a fully developed "mini" version of the report itself.

Accepted Answer

executive summary
Explanation:An executi

Question 10

The close of a proposal is the right place to discuss any costs associated with your recommendations.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Using descriptive headings, such as "Effects of Pay Scales on Employee Turnover," will help you maintain a hard-hitting, direct tone in a business report.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

The components of a formal proposal are entirely different from those of other formal reports.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

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.

Accepted Answer

proposal
Explanation:A proposa

Question 14

List three functions of the close in a business report.

Accepted Answer

The close of a report (1)emphasizes the

Question 15

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.

Accepted Answer

work plan
Explanation:The work

Question 16

Which of the following would be the most effective preview in a formal report?

Accepted Answer

A) Our sales in the eastern region have plummeted, but we think we know the cause, and it is definitely not our fault. 
B) So far, we have discussed three essential elements: price, service, and performance. 
C) The next section will present the advantages of using social media to connect with your customers. 
D) Okay, now for the important part. 
A) Our sales in the eastern region have plummeted, but we think we know the cause, and it is definitely not our fault. 
B) So far, we have discussed three essential elements: price, service, and performance. 
C) The next section will present the advantages of using social media to connect with your customers. 
D) Okay, now for the important part.

Question 17

When you're composing the requirements section of a request for proposals (RFP), you can assume that bidders will understand the conventions and protocols of your industry.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Transitional words and phrases

Accepted Answer

A) connect ideas by helping readers move from one thought to the next. 
B) should be removed from written material to make it more concise. 
C) are essential to analytical reports but unnecessary in informational reports. 
D) aren't necessary in a report that uses a system of headings and subheadings. 
A) connect ideas by helping readers move from one thought to the next. 
B) should be removed from written material to make it more concise. 
C) are essential to analytical reports but unnecessary in informational reports. 
D) aren't necessary in a report that uses a system of headings and subheadings.

Question 19

Effective business writers use ________ to help readers prepare for upcoming information and ________ to help them verify and clarify what they've just read.

Accepted Answer

A) introductions; conclusions 
B) previews; reviews 
C) synopses; executive summaries 
D) headings; subheadings 
A) introductions; conclusions 
B) previews; reviews 
C) synopses; executive summaries 
D) headings; subheadings

Question 20

In a long report, including review sections at the end of every major section is redundant and distracting.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 15: Writing and Completing Reports and Proposals

Describe six strategies (in addition to using the AIDA format)for strengthening your argument in business proposals.

Which of the following is not an element normally included in the introduction of a proposal?

Effective transitions in business reports

The detailed proof needed to support your conclusions and recommendations should appear in the ________ of your report.

Don't ________ in the closing section of a business report.

The close of a formal proposal emphasizes the benefits that readers will realize from your solution.

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.

If you're writing a formal business report, you should

A(n)________ ________ is a fully developed "mini" version of the report itself.

The close of a proposal is the right place to discuss any costs associated with your recommendations.

Using descriptive headings, such as "Effects of Pay Scales on Employee Turnover," will help you maintain a hard-hitting, direct tone in a business report.

The components of a formal proposal are entirely different from those of other formal reports.

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.

List three functions of the close in a business report.

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.

Which of the following would be the most effective preview in a formal report?

When you're composing the requirements section of a request for proposals (RFP), you can assume that bidders will understand the conventions and protocols of your industry.

Transitional words and phrases

Effective business writers use ________ to help readers prepare for upcoming information and ________ to help them verify and clarify what they've just read.

In a long report, including review sections at the end of every major section is redundant and distracting.

Achieving Success Through Effective Business Communication

Mastering Team Skills and Interpersonal Communication

Communicating in a World of Diversity

Planning Business Messages

Writing Business Messages

Completing Business Messages

Electronic Media

Social Media

Visual Media

Writing Routine and Positive Messages

Writing Negative Messages

Writing Persuasive Messages

Finding, Evaluating, and Processing Information

Planning Reports and Proposals

Developing Oral and Online Presentations

Enhancing Presentations with Slides and Other Visuals

Building Careers and Writing Résumés

Applying and Interviewing for Employment

Handbook of Grammar, Mechanics, and Usage

Format and Layout of Business Documents

Documentation of Report Sources

Filters

A(n) is a fully developed "mini" version of the report itself.

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.

Effective business writers use to help readers prepare for upcoming information and to help them verify and clarify what they've just read.