This is the course website for English 302, Section 22, taught by Quinn Warnick at Iowa State University during spring 2007. Please refer to the policy document and syllabus for more information about this class. Updates to the syllabus will be posted one week in advance, and any changes to the readings and/or assignments will be reflected in the summaries for each week.
Midterm Exam - Part 2 (Short Answer Questions)
Midterm Exam - Part 2 (Short Answer Questions)
The second-half of the midterm exam consists of a series of short-answer questions you will complete in Microsoft Word and print in the lab. This portion of the midterm exam is worth 50 points (half of the midterm exam grade).
Please follow these instructions carefully:
- After you have completed Part 1 of the midterm exam, create a new document in Microsoft Word, and save it to the desktop using the following naming convention: Full_Name_Midterm_Exam.doc (e.g, "Quinn_Warnick_Midterm_Exam.doc").
- Inside the Word document, type your name and "Midterm Exam" at the top of the page.
- Copy and paste the text that follows below into your Word document. To copy and paste text from your browser into Word, highlight the text with your mouse, then press Command-C (the key with the Apple on it, plus the letter C) to copy the text. Go to the Word document and click on the "Edit" menu, then click on "Paste Special...". Select "unformatted text" and then click "OK." If you have questions about this step, please raise your hand.
- Answer the questions as directed. When you are finished, print a copy of your file to the Ross 15 printer and give the pages to Quinn.
- As a backup, save your document, return to the class website, and upload your completed file into the box below.
Midterm Exam - Part 2 (Short Answer Questions)
Drawing on our class discussions and the readings in Writing That Works, answer the following questions to the best of your ability.
SECTION A: KNOWLEDGE (5 points each)
1. What are the four modes of communication we have studied this semester? Provide a specific example of how two or more of these modes work together in a business communication setting.
2. List the four Gestalt principles we have discussed this semester and briefly explain how each principle might influence a document designer. In other words, what is one practical implication of each Gestalt principle?
3. Briefly discuss at least two issues that students should consider before they upload photos of themselves to Facebook or MySpace.
4. In class, we discussed several forms of electronic communication, placing them on a scale of "synchronicity." List at least three of these forms, from least synchronous to most synchronous. Explain your answer, if necessary.
5. In business communication, what does it mean to "essentialize"? Give an example of a specific writing strategy that business communicators can use to avoid essentializing.
6. List four organizational patterns that writers can use to structure their documents. For each organizational pattern, describe a business communication situation in which that particular pattern might be especially effective.
PART B: REVISION EXERCISES (2 points each)
Revise the following sentences to reflect "reader-based prose," or the "you attitude":
7. Original: To help us expand and grow our business, we are proud to announce that videoconferencing is now available at 125 of our branches.
Revised:
8. Original: To prevent us from possibly losing large sums of money, our bank now requires verification of any large check presented for immediate payment.
Revised:
9. Original: We're requesting all employees to complete the enclosed questionnaire so that we may develop a master schedule for summer vacations.
Revised:
10. Original: The sales receipt must be enclosed with the merchandise before we can process the refund.
Revised:
Revise the following sentences to eliminate common problems with grammar, phrasing, and/or bias:
11. Original: The design for the new building was completed by Greg Taylor, a local architect.
Revised:
12. Original: Every employee will have his manager sign his travel voucher.
Revised:
13. Original: Next week, we plan to draft a proposal, speak to our client, and resolving any remaining issues.
Revised:
14. Original: It was assumed by the principal that the trip was postponed by the superintendent until next month.
Revised:
15. Original: The management team will study the issue. The management team will develop a plan. The management team will present the plan to the board of directors. The management will revise the plan to please the board. The board will approve the plan. The management team will carry out the plan.
Revised:
16. Original: It is the policy of the company to provide the proper telephonic apparatus to enable each employee to conduct the interoffice and intra-business communication necessary to discharge his or her responsibilities; however, it is contrary to company policy to permit telephones to be utilized for personal employee communication.
Revised: