This topic contains a solution. Click here to go to the answer

Author Question: Why is the active voice preferred in business writing? What will be an ideal ... (Read 91 times)

plus1

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 676
Why is the active voice preferred in business writing?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Why is providing information that allows your audience to make a good business decision, even if that decision does not support your point of view, important?
 
  What will be an ideal response?



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
Marked as best answer by a Subject Expert

marict

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 304
Answer to Question 1

Answer: The active voice should dominate in business writing, as it leads to clear and lively writing. The passive voice is usually wordier and leads to a weaker style. However, there are special circumstances where the passive voice can come in handy. Stating, The deadline was missed, instead of, You missed the deadline, avoids placing blame on an individual. The passive voice deemphasizes the role of the participant, and focuses instead on the issue of the deadline itself. Saying A great new website was designed, instead of Our tech department designed a great new website, again deemphasizes the participants' role. In this case the situation is positive, and wording it in the passive voice does not single out an individual or group for praise. Depending on whether you want to focus on praising the people responsible or on drawing attention to the completed project, you could use either passive or active voice. So while the active voice is preferred in business writing, the passive voice can be useful when you don't want to assign blame, or when you want to emphasize the action instead of the actor.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: Inexperienced communicators often make the mistake of looking for content that supports their own point of view, rather than looking for content that provides a complete picture of the issue. As an ethical business communicator, you have the responsibility to provide information that al-lows your audience to make good business decisionseven if that information conflicts with your own ideas.
For example, assume you found positive information about flexible work hours from a non-profit workforce newsletter and two independent news agencies. You select information from each source to prepare a short email report intended to persuade your supervisor to adopt flexible summer hours. However, suppose you also find a source that suggests that some employees take advantage of the flexibility by arriving to work late and leaving early. If you fail to analyze and address relevant information that contradicts your point of view, you are committing an ethical error of omission. Decide how to deal with that information. Is it strong enough to make you modify your point of view? Is it weak enough that you can argue against it? Does it bring up a problem that you can solve? To be ethical, report the information, cite the source, and then argue against it or provide a solution to the problem the source raises. For example, you could suggest that the company implement a reporting process that documents employees' actual work hours. By addressing potentially negative information, you demonstrate your integrity as a business communicator as well as your ability to think critically and solve problems.




plus1

  • Member
  • Posts: 676
Reply 2 on: Jun 23, 2018
:D TYSM


jamesnevil303

  • Member
  • Posts: 337
Reply 3 on: Yesterday
YES! Correct, THANKS for helping me on my review

 

Did you know?

The highest suicide rate in the United States is among people ages 65 years and older. Almost 15% of people in this age group commit suicide every year.

Did you know?

The cure for trichomoniasis is easy as long as the patient does not drink alcoholic beverages for 24 hours. Just a single dose of medication is needed to rid the body of the disease. However, without proper precautions, an individual may contract the disease repeatedly. In fact, most people develop trichomoniasis again within three months of their last treatment.

Did you know?

An identified risk factor for osteoporosis is the intake of excessive amounts of vitamin A. Dietary intake of approximately double the recommended daily amount of vitamin A, by women, has been shown to reduce bone mineral density and increase the chances for hip fractures compared with women who consumed the recommended daily amount (or less) of vitamin A.

Did you know?

Always store hazardous household chemicals in their original containers out of reach of children. These include bleach, paint, strippers and products containing turpentine, garden chemicals, oven cleaners, fondue fuels, nail polish, and nail polish remover.

Did you know?

Sildenafil (Viagra®) has two actions that may be of consequence in patients with heart disease. It can lower the blood pressure, and it can interact with nitrates. It should never be used in patients who are taking nitrates.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library