ENGL 216 Week 8 Final Exam

TECHNICAL / WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION and the RHETORICAL SITUATION 1. Technical communication is a form of workplace communication. What are some features of workplace communication? Name one way workplace writing is different from academic writing. points 2. As a technical writer, why do you shape your message to the needs of your reader? Give one example of how you shaped your message for the readers of your course project report. points 2 ] ] Workplace focuses so much on the receiver/reader/audience then the sender/ writer. The message should be clear and concise so that the receiver can comprehend it with the least amount of effort in the least amount of time. Write no more or less be complete but not wordy, write what you believe to be truthful, write what’s relevant, write clearly, briefly, and a way that makes sense. Deliver the most important document first. The information that stands out the most. Example if I was sending a document about prize money that should be the first thing I write. To prevent a wall of text, relieve boredom from the reading, and help the reader organize information for quick references. Short paragraphs. Toolbar/drop down menus, Sentences/ paragraphsthat explain to the reader the outline of the report. Navigation tools help readers understand the organization of complex documents. They 3. When we say that good technical/ workplace writers show “you attitude,” who isthe “you” involved? Why is “you attitude” important in this kind of writing? points 4. Generally, it’s good to follow the principles of cooperative communication, whether it’s in the workplace or at school or in your personal life. If you do, what features does your writing have? points 5. When you have two main ideas to deliver in the same document, how do you decide which to deliver first? Why? (Think about your Homework 1 revised email.) points DOCUMENT DESIGN and NAVIGATION TOOLS 6. What is the value of document design elements, such as headings, bulleted / numbered lists, white space and color? (Think about your Week 2 Homework informal report to John Raines.) points 7. What is the typical length of paragraphsin technical / workplace documents? Why? points 8. Give one example of a navigation tool that could be used in a website. Give one example of a navigation tool that you used in your course project report. Why is it important to include navigation tools? 3 ] ] Topic Proposal reason it’stoo much information. Clear to the reader. Positive messages can be delivered directly. Buffer negative messages. points 9. The following are two subject lines that could have come from your Week 2 Course Project Topic Proposal Email: a. Topic Proposal b. Proposal to Recommend Additional Security for My Son’s School Which is the better subject line? Why? points INSTRUCTIONS 10 In creating instructions, why is important to have document design elements, such as numbered . steps? (Think about your Week 3 Homework instructions.) points 11 In creating instructions, why is it important to have one action per step? . points LETTERS, MEMOS, and REPORTS One way to think about shaping your message to your audience is to think about the status of your audience and the way he/she will perceive your message. You can think of this matrix: Higherstatusreceiver Lower statusreceiver Same statusreceiver Positive message Negative message Neutral message 12 In which situations is it acceptable to deliver your message directly? In which situations is it . recommended that you buffer your message? Why? points 13 Name two goals you as the sender are likely to have in writing negative news messages, . especially to readers with higher status. (Think about your Week 4 Homework negative news Each step should be in action for the reader to take, so start each step with an action verb. also help readers who are looking forspecific information in a document.