Q&A Hero

Q: As a speaker, you can emphasize important points with periodic pauses.

Q: What organizational plan should you use when writing a solicited cover letter?

Q: A media that is leaner would be used for what types of messages? A. Non-routine or complex messages B. Messages that transfer simple information C. Messages that attempt to humanize your presence D. Messages that communicate caring E. Messages to gain commitment

Q: Being in the same physical space is a key distinction in oral medium, in-person combination.

Q: When rehearsing a presentation, practice keeping both your volume and the rate at which you speak steady.

Q: When determining what channel and media to use for a communication, what type of concerns may be generated when sensitive or private communications are needed? A. Costs B. Audience preference C. Security D. Urgency E. Formality

Q: What should be included in the salutation of your cover letter?

Q: Media choices can be divided into oral, written and visual media.

Q: Plan to rehearse important presentations in private at least three times so you can identify and correct any problems before you face an audience.

Q: What should you include in your contact information?

Q: Which method of communication is considered to have the greatest media richness? A. Instant messages B. Texting C. Phone calls D. Emails E. Face to face

Q: Most media can only be distributed through one channel, so you have to select the channel and medium combination carefully.

Q: Which of the following is a nonverbal signal that affects the style and tone of the message? A. Media richness B. Formality C. Media and channel limitations D. Urgency E. Audience preferences

Q: More than half of your credibility as a presenter is based on body language, which is why you should videotape yourself rehearsing and check your posture, expressions, and gestures.

Q: When referring to channel and medium, medium is the system used to deliver the message.

Q: Including video in a presentation is a good way to engage the audience, illustrate a point, and make an emotional appeal.

Q: When using mobile technology, increasing the size of buttons and text entry fields can help which of the following areas? A. Portability and flexibility B. Screen size and resolution C. Input technologies D. Speed and connectivity E. Data usage costs

Q: When presenting, use a conversational style and many contractions, but speak slightly slower than in normal conversation.

Q: Which of the following is an advantage when using mobile devices for business communication? A. Portability and flexibility B. Screen size C. Resolution D. Bandwidth, speed and connectivity E. Operational costs

Q: If you aim to convince listeners that global warming is a reality, your purpose is to persuade.

Q: For more traditional presentations, avoid slide after slide of bulleted text.

Q: For most business presentations, you should let the audience know up front what you expect of them.

Q: Which of the following is an advantage of combining visuals with supporting text? A. Today's audiences are bombarded with messages, so anything that communicates quickly is welcome. B. Visuals along are less effective at describing complex ideas, making supporting text essential. C. Visuals often show parts and relationships that make up the whole, and supporting text is used to fill in the gaps. D. Diagrams and symbols must be explained to other cultures to ensure understanding. E. Visual images can offer explanations and text can be used to identify essential elements of the visual.

Q: If you are unsure of what audience members need from your message, which of the following might be the most effective way to find out? A. News releases B. Blogs C. Talk with supervisors D. Ask the audience for input E. Conduct surveys

Q: The purpose of your oral presentation may be to inform, to persuade, to recommend, or to motivate.

Q: A visual printed message most often acts as what? A. A replacement for text B. Supporting material in printed documents C. A guide to printed reports D. A replacement for interactive digital components E. A supplement to interactive digital components

Q: When your handouts contain complex data or extensive information that the audience should read as background before your presentation, distribute them as people enter the room prior to your speech.

Q: Collecting experiences and insights of employees in an organization is best accomplished with which of the following? A. News releases B. Blogs C. Knowledge management systems D. Marketing reports E. Customer surveys

Q: Which of the following combinations is used most often on the job today? A. Written medium, digital channel B. Visual medium, print channel C. Visual medium, digital channel D. Oral medium, digital channel E. Written medium, print channel

Q: When you plan an oral presentation, your first step is to analyze your audience.

Q: If you plan to refer to handouts, you should distribute them immediately before beginning the presentation.

Q: Following social media sites and online discussions is a way to accomplish which of the following tasks? A. Considering the audience's perspective B. Listening to the community C. Reading reports D. Using knowledge management systems E. Asking the audience for input

Q: Which of the following would be an appropriate use of digital medium? A. When you want to make a formal impression B. When you are legally required to provide information in print C. When you want to stand out from the flood of electronic messages D. When you want to introduce yourself to a customer or client E. When you need a permanent, unchangeable or secure record

Q: For direct-plan presentations, you should make sure your main point is right up front.

Q: When deciding what types of information to gather, determining what information the audience needs to move forward is an example of what? A. Audience perspective B. Community input C. Knowledge-management systems D. Asking the audience for input E. Document revision

Q: Which of the following is more formal in tone? A. Podcasts B. Webinars C. Memos D. Letters E. Proposals

Q: List a few ways to handle audience questions

Q: After conducting an audience analysis, what is the next step in the writing process? A. Gathering information B. Writing the communication C. Refining the topics to be covered in the communication D. Developing the first draft of the communication E. Determining the channel and medium for the communication

Q: List several different types of presentation software.

Q: When determining expectations and preferences of the audience, what issues should be considered and how would a writer prepare to address those expectations and preferences?

Q: What type of information should you include, and what type should you exclude, when preparing handouts?

Q: Why should you hold the question-and-answer session at the end of a presentation?

Q: Describe the steps a writer might take when they have an audience who is skeptical or resistant to an idea.

Q: Discuss the purpose of handouts for a presentation.

Q: What can you do to minimize or eliminate the anxiety that occurs before or during a presentation?

Q: Describe the proofreading process and discuss what should be done to ensure effective proofreading.

Q: The higher in the organization a message goes the more formal and detailed the message should become.

Q: What should the presenter do before the presentation to ensure the effectiveness of the visual aids during the presentation?

Q: What speaker control tips should you follow when practicing for a presentation?

Q: Discuss the goals of any communication you might need to craft at the workplace, and describe actions that can be taken to achieve that goal.

Q: When using email, audience size and geography location no longer matters in the shaping of the message.

Q: What are five guidelines you should follow when preparing visual aids?

Q: List three of the most typical organizational plans for presentations.

Q: Writing an effective business message includes using strong, familiar words, creating effective sentences, and developing coherent paragraphs.

Q: Before an audience will take the time to read or listen to a message, they have to be interested in the subject matter.

Q: Describe how a group should practice its presentation. Also discuss guidelines for critiquing the practice.

Q: Determining how to deliver a message takes place in the completing process.

Q: Every communication effort takes place in a particular situation, meaning you have a specific message to send to a specific audience under a specific set of circumstances.

Q: Discuss a group coordinator's responsibilities for collaborative presentations.

Q: Identifying strong words to convey the meaning of the message takes place in the planning process.

Q: What are some things to keep in mind about using humor in an oral presentation?

Q: Spending more time in the planning phase of the writing process leads to better results.

Q: Why is the opening of a presentation very important?

Q: Discuss the importance of the ending of a presentation.

Q: The three-step writing process is most effective in what type of business writing? A. Emails B. Short memos C. Long reports D. External communications E. All written communications

Q: What are some cautions against memorizing a speech? When is memorizing appropriate?

Q: How can a presenter establish credibility with the audience?

Q: When allowing a speaker to release emotions that result in a calm and clear approach to the subject, what type of listening is being engaged in? A. Content B. Critical C. Empathic D. Active E. Effective

Q: The scope of a business message includes what? A. Background information on the topic B. A determination of relevant information to be included in the message C. The format for producing the message D. A list of all those who will be receiving the message E. A list of key terminology

Q: Why is determining the audience's level of knowledge about your topic and their psychological needs important?

Q: List and describe at least four organizational plans that are commonly used for presentations.

Q: When listening for the strength of the evidence, what type of listening is being engaged in? A. Content B. Critical C. Active D. Empathic E. Effective

Q: Ensuring the message has an attractive, professional appearance takes place in which step of the writing process? A. Drafting B. Proofreading C. Planning D. Completing E. Writing

Q: What are the four most common purposes of business presentations? (Briefly describe each purpose.)

Q: List six suggestions for opening a presentation.

Q: When proofreading a message, the focus of the proofreading should be what? A. Producing a high quality message B. Choosing strong words C. Conveying subject knowledge by using impressive sounding words D. Determining the channel and media for delivering the message E. Limiting the scope

Q: The primary goal of content listening is to what? A. To understand and retain information B. To understand the logic of the argument C. To determine the speakers intentions and motives D. To understand the speakers feeling E. To verify key points and look for a summary of a message

Q: What factors affect the level of formality appropriate for an oral presentation?

Q: What percentage of top executives say that listening is the most important skill in getting things done in the workplace? A. 40 percent B. 50 percent C. 60 percent D. 70 percent E. 80 percent

Q: When using the three-step writing process, how much of the available writing time should be set aside for the actual writing? A. 15 percent B. 25 percent C. 45 percent D. 65 percent E. 85 percent