Chapter 6

Question 1

What is the difference between a direct and indirect approach in writing business letter?

Answer 1

direct: main idea and then explanations. Indirect gives explanations and then main ideas.

Question 2

Explain why a good news message should employ a direct approach.

Answer 2

You want to give them the main idea first. This will help invite them and encourage them to keep reading.

Question 3

Explain why a bad news message should use an indirect approach.

Answer 3

because you do not want to discourage them from reading the letter, but point out why this is bad news first, and then tell them that it is bad news.

Question 4

What is the difference in the vertical positioning of memos and letters?

Answer 4

letters have equal spacing/center it vertically. memos no center.

Question 5

What does the abbreviation bcc mean when it is used with an email?

Answer 5

Blind carboncopy

Question 6

Explain the differences between the full-block, modified-block, and simplified letter formats.

Answer 6

a. full- date and name left aligned, b. modified-address in center, sincerely centered in page, c. simplified - subject line in place of sender’s name; just name and title instead of complimentary closing (commitees/groups or gender neutral name)

Question 7

Describe three guidelines for managing your emails

Answer 7

check email every day, twice a day, keep inbox empty, organized folders, delete the spam, respond quick items immediately

Question 8

What communication factors should you remember when writing to people inside vs. outside your organization?

Answer 8

more formal outside organization, and sometimes formal inside the operation.