Learn It: Chapter 05 Organizing and Drafting Business Messages

In Section 5-1, we will describe the two forms of research that begin Phase 2 of the 3-x-3 writing process. Organizing and drafting messages BEGINS with research, which means collecting information about a certain topic. Gathering background information can help you avoid wasted time and inaccurate messages. Careful writers collect information that answers several questions: What does the receiver need to know about this topic? What is the receiver to do? How is the receiver to do it? When must the receiver do it? What will happen if the receiver doesn't do it? The research you conduct may be informal or formal. Many routine communication tasks involve informal research, with information collected informally by exploring company files or chatting with the boss. You may also choose to interview the target audience or organize an informal survey in order to help you shape your message. Other communication tasks, such as long reports and proposals, may require more formal research conducted using primary or secondary sources. Formal research may take the form of surveys, interviews, or experimentation or be derived from data gleaned from books, magazines, or journals. Formal research topics and techniques will be covered in Chapters 11 and 12.

Careful writers collect information that answers several questions, including which of these? Check all that apply. When must the sender do it? What is the receiver to do? How is the receiver to do it? What will happen if the sender doesnt do it?

Exploring company files or chatting with the boss is a form of what? Formal research Brainstorming Crowdsourcing Informal research

Examples of formal research include which of these activities? Check all that apply. Chat with the boss Collect data through a formal survey Read books about the topic Conduct an experiment Explore company files

5-1 Organizing and Drafting Messages Begins With Research (1 of 2) - Research - collecting information about a certain topic - Information collected through research helps shape the sender's message - Careful writers collect information that answers several questions: - What does the receiver need to know about this topic? - What is the receiver to do? - How is the receiver to do it? - When must the receiver do it? - What will happen if the receiver doesn't do it? 5-1 Organizing and Drafting Messages Begins With Research (2 of 2) Informal Research Formal Research - Explore your company's files. - Primary sources: firsthand experiences - Chat with the boss. such as surveys, interviews, - Interview the target audience. observation, and experimentation - Organize an informal survey. - Secondary sources: reading what others have experienced or observed and written about in books, magazines, journals, and online resources Careful writers collect information that answers several questions, including which of these? Check a/l that apply. When must the sender do it? What is the receiver to do? How is the receiver to do it? What will happen if the sender doesn't do it? Exploring company files or chatting with the boss is a form of what? Formal research Brainstorming Crowdsourcing Informal research Examples of formal research include which of these activities? Check all that apply. Chat with the boss Collect data through a formal survey Read books about the topic What is the receiver to do? How is the receiver to do it? What will happen if the sender doesn't do it? Exploring company files or chatting with the boss is a form of what? Formal research Brainstorming Crowdsourcing Informal research Examples of formal research include which of these activities? Check all that apply. Chat with the boss Collect data through a formal survey Read books about the topic Conduct an experiment Explore company files