COM 285 All DQs

Week 1

Think about someone in your workplace whom you consider to be an effective communicator. What about this person's communication style causes you to think this? What characteristics does this person have that causes him or her to be effective?

What are two strengths and two areas for improvement in your own business communication abilities? You may address verbal, written, or electronic communication; provide examples to explain your choices. How could your improvement in these two areas enhance your work performance?

Week 2

What are the three most important points that a group must keep in mind when working collaboratively on a writing project? Why? Support your response with references to the readings, facilitator's posts and personal experiences.

What are at least two effective techniques in preventing or resolving conflicts when working in groups? Support your choices with references to the readings, facilitator's posts and personal experiences.

Week 3

What are three examples of bias in business writing? Identify two methods you consider important to use in reducing bias in business writing.

In your opinion, what situations require positive or negative information to be delivered using the following methods of communication: face-to-face, telephone, printed mail, and e-mail? Provide examples using references from the readings and your observations.

Week 4

Describe the communication privacy policies for e-mail and telephone use at your past or present workplace, or for some other company with which you are familiar. (Be careful to avoid disclosing any confidential or proprietary information!) 2) How do these policies align to the best practices discussed in the readings? Do you feel that these policies are ethical? Why or why not?

Consider some recent event that has created a negative situation for a company and describe that event briefly. How could the company write a message to communicate the situation to the general public?

Week 5

Web sites are often used as research resources, both in academic and business-related work. What are some important criteria that one must use in determining the validity, accuracy, and appropriateness of information presented on a Web site? Please discuss.

Clipart, charts, graphs, and other graphics and animation are often used in Microsoft PowerPoint presentations. How have you incorporated these into your presentations? What purposes do they serve? How can you decide what graphics or other visuals might be appropriate for use in a particular presentation? Can you have too many graphics in a presentation? Please discuss.