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Chapter 6 Writing Process Phase 2: Research, Organize, Compose

1. Phase 2 of the 3-x-3 writing process begins with doing which of the following?
a.|Writing the rough draft|
b.|Deciding how to organize the message|
c.|Selecting a communication channel|
d.|Gathering necessary information|

REF: p. 110

2. Spencer has been asked to find out what features his customers consider most important when purchasing a car. Probably the most useful way to research this information would be by
a.|searching manually.|
b.|searching electronically.|
c.|investigating primary sources.|
d.|experimenting scientifically.|

REF: p. 110

3. Select the statement that most accurately describes brainstorming.
a.|The goal of a brainstorming session is quality, not quantity.|
b.|Critique and evaluate each idea as it is presented during a brainstorming session.|
c.|To encourage the maximum number of ideas, avoid defining the problem at the beginning of a brainstorming session.|
d.|A brainstorming session should be kept short and have an established time limit.|

REF: p. 111

4. Formal research methods include
a.|setting up an experiment.|
b.|searching through previous correspondence.|
c.|developing a cluster diagram.|
d.|brainstorming.|

REF: p. 111

5. Which of the following is an example of using an informal research method?
a.|Gwen accesses an Internet database with her computer.|
b.|Alex locates books on a subject in the public library’s card catalogue.|
c.|Marina searches the company’s files for previous reports on an issue.|
d.|Junko develops a survey to learn consumers’ opinions about a product.|

REF: p. 111

？6. Informal research methods include
a.|experimenting scientifically.|
b.|accessing electronic databases.|
c.|developing a cluster diagram.|
d.|investigating primary sources.|

REF: p. 111

7. Cluster diagramming helps writers
a.|generate and organize ideas.|
b.|gather primary information by sampling a group of individuals.|
c.|gather information from indexes, encyclopedias, and references books.|
d.|organize focus groups and develop outlines.|

REF: p. 111

8. Which of the following is not a typical outline format?
a.|Decimal|
b.|Alphanumeric|
c.|Alpha decimal|
d.|All of the above are typical outline formats.|

REF: p. 112

9. Outlining forces a writer to
a.|focus on the topic.|
b.|identify major ideas.|
c.|support ideas with details, illustrations, or evidence.|
d.|All of the above.|

REF: p. 112

10. Ideas in an outline should usually be grouped into
a.|four to six major components or categories.|
b.|three to five major components or categories.|
c.|five to ten major components or categories.|
d.|six to nine major components or categories.|

REF: p. 115

11. Each major category in an outline should be divided into at least
a.|three subcategories.|
b.|four subcategories.|
c.|five subcategories.|
d.|two subcategories.|

REF: p. 115

12. Which of the following should be a major category for this outline?
a.|Setting margins and tabs|
b.|Formatting documents|
c.|Changing line spacing|
d.|Adding page numbers|

REF: p. 115

13. Which of the following should be a major category for this outline?
a.|Travel arrangements|
b.|Hotel reservations|
c.|Car rental|
d.|Airline reservations|

REF: p. 115

14. An outline that presents the main idea followed by details, explanation, and evidence represents the
a.|indirect organizational pattern.|
b.|direct organizational pattern.|
c.|geographical organizational pattern.|
d.|informational organizational pattern.|

REF: p. 116

15. If an audience will be receptive to a message, the most effective organizational pattern is the
a.|indirect pattern.|
b.|direct pattern.|
c.|informational pattern.|
d.|geographical pattern.|

REF: p. 116

16. Frontloading means
a.|presenting the recommendations at the end of the message where they will receive more emphasis.|
b.|giving the details at the beginning of the message.|
c.|supporting ideas with details.|
d.|presenting the main idea at the beginning of the message.|

REF: p. 116

17. The direct organizational plan
a.|saves the reader’s time.|
b.|ensures a fair hearing.|
c.|minimizes a negative reaction.|
d.|respects the feelings of the audience.|

REF: p. 116

18. Which of the following should be organized in a direct pattern?
a.|A sales letter encouraging current automobile insurance customers to purchase term life insurance|
b.|A letter explaining why a customer’s insurance rates have increased significantly|
c.|A letter denying a customer’s request for credit|
d.|A memo informing new employees of the medical benefits they will receive|

REF: p. 117

19. Which of the following should be organized in an indirect pattern?
a.|A manual showing owners how to operate a new VCR|
b.|A proposal submitted to a governmental agency requesting funding for a project|
c.|A memo detailing the steps employees will follow when requesting vacation time|
d.|A company’s annual report to its stockholders|

REF: p. 117

20. Which of the following should be organized in an indirect pattern?
a.|A report focusing on the company’s sales volume for the last quarter.|
b.|A letter granting a customer’s request for a refund on a defective tire.|
c.|A letter requesting donations to a shelter for the homeless.|
d.|A memo requesting that employees attend an upcoming conference.|

REF: p. 117

21. Ideas that require persuasion should usually be organized
a.|in an indirect pattern.|
b.|by geographical area.|
c.|in a direct pattern.|
d.|in a pivoting pattern.|

REF: p. 117

22. One effective way to overcome writer’s block is to
a.|stare at the page until you think of something to write.|
b.|concentrate on finding the right word and perfect sentence structure before putting your ideas on paper.|
c.|research your topic and prepare an outline before beginning to write.|
d.|write your ideas on paper to be transferred to the computer at a later time.|

REF: p. 119

23. Which of the following is a phrase?
a.|Such as a businessperson|
b.|I like movies|
c.|Since Jim organized the event|
d.|Although we decided to participate|

REF: p. 120

24. Which of the following is a phrase?
a.|Joan and I attended|
b.|who joins the committee|
c.|if you wish to go|
d.|to be decided by the board of directors|

REF: p. 120

25. Clauses that begin with words like if, when, because, and as are usually
a.|independent.|
b.|dependent.|
c.|direct.|
d.|indirect.|

REF: p. 120

26. Independent clauses have a
a.|subject.|
b.|verb.|
c.|complete thought.|
d.|All of the above.|

REF: p. 120 27. Dependent clauses contain a
a.|subject.|
b.|verb.|
c.|complete thought.|
d.|a and b only.|

REF: p. 120

28. Which of the following is a dependent clause?
a.|Running up and down the street|
b.|During the course of the semester|
c.|If we were to win the election|
d.|I was pleased with the results of the election|

REF: p. 120

29. Which of the following is an independent clause?
a.|When the board decided|
b.|In case of a change in plans|
c.|Schedule the meeting for tomorrow.|
d.|None of the above.|

REF: p. 120

30. Which of the following is an independent clause?
a.|If Carol thinks the plan will solve the problem|
b.|In the decision-making process|
c.|Since we are certain of the outcome of the election|
d.|Then the decision was made|

REF: p. 120

31. To be easily understood, sentences should
a.|be at least 15 words in length.|
b.|be about 20 or fewer words.|
c.|be no longer than 30 words.|
d.|average about 28 words.|

REF: p. 121

32. Important ideas receive the most emphasis by placing them
a.|in the middle of a sentence.|
b.|either in the middle or at the end of a sentence.|
c.|at the beginning of a sentence.|
d.|in the middle of a paragraph.|

REF: p. 121

33. In which of the following sentences does the board receive the most emphasis?
a.|The board approved the plan.|
b.|The plan was approved by the board.|
c.|At its last meeting, the board approved the plan.|
d.|This announcement is to inform all employees that the plan has been approved by the board.|

REF: p. 121

34. Select the passive sentence.
a.|A change was indicated in the note at the bottom of the page.|
b.|Both companies agreed to the merger.|
c.|Global competition forces businesses to re-evaluate their products and services.|
d.|Entry-level employees must complete the training by June.|

REF: p. 121

35. To direct attention away from people and focus on an action, use
a.|dependent clauses.|
b.|passive voice.|
c.|active voice.|
d.|independent clauses.|

REF: p. 121

36. Select the active-voice sentence.
a.|Your vacation request must be submitted by this Friday.|
b.|Europeans usually take four-week vacations in the summer.|
c.|The suggestion will be implemented as soon as funding is available.|
d.|The performance appraisal was conducted by Mr. Jones.|

REF: p. 121

37？. To be hired, an application form must be completed is a sentence that contains a
a.|limiting sentence.|
b.|dangling modifier.|
c.|limiting clause.|
d.|misplaced dangler.|

REF: p. 122

38. By changing the schedule, production was increased substantially is a sentence that contains a
a.|limiting clause.|
b.|pivoting clause.|
c.|limiting sentence.|
d.|dangling modifier.|

REF: p. 122

39. The patient was referred to a psychiatrist with a severe emotional problem is a sentence that contains a
a.|misplaced modifier.|
b.|pivoting sentence.|
c.|misplaced dangler.|
d.|limiting clause.|

REF: p. 122

40. Which of the following sentences avoids a dangling or misplaced modifier?
a.|While pumping gas, an unoccupied car rolled into mine.|
b.|Please take time to examine the brochure that is enclosed with your family.|
c.|Reported stolen, the car was located by the police.|
d.|As the winner of the contest, the judge awarded a prize to Lisa.|

REF: p. 122

41. The train was late that pulled into the station is a sentence that contains a
a.|limiting clause.|
b.|dangling sentence.|
c.|misplaced modifier.|
d.|limiting sentence.|

REF: p. 122

42. A paragraph that describes a new procedure for scheduling a leave of absence would most likely follow the
a.|direct paragraph plan.|
b.|indirect paragraph plan.|
c.|pivoting paragraph plan.|
d.|linked paragraph plan.|

REF: p. 123

43. A paragraph that begins with a limiting sentence before presenting the main sentence follows the
a.|indirect paragraph plan.|
b.|direct paragraph plan.|
c.|modified paragraph plan.|
d.|pivoting paragraph plan.|

REF: p. 123

44. Use the pivoting paragraph plan to
a.|describe an action to be taken.|
b.|clarify a new procedure.|
c.|build a rationale for an idea.|
d.|compare and contrast ideas.|

REF: p. 124

45. A paragraph that begins with supporting sentences followed by the main sentence follows the
a.|direct paragraph plan.|
b.|indirect paragraph plan.|
c.|pivoting paragraph plan.|
d.|linked paragraph plan.|

REF: p. 123

46. Which of the following is not a useful technique for linking ideas in a paragraph?
a.|Dovetailing sentences|
b.|Pivoting sentences|
c.|Sustaining the key idea|
d.|Using pronouns|

REF: p. 124

47. Furthermore, as a result, however, and on the other hand are examples of
a.|limiting phrases.|
b.|dovetailing.|
c.|supporting modifiers.|
d.|transitional expressions|

REF: p. 125

48. For instance, likewise, and similarly are transitions that introduce
a.|examples.|
b.|contrasting thoughts.|
c.|comparisons.|
d.|analogies.|

REF: p. 125

49. Paragraphs are generally easier to read when they contain
a.|eight or fewer printed lines.|
b.|eight or fewer printed sentences.|
c.|five or fewer printed sentences.|
d.|at least five printed lines.|

REF: p. 127