Jagannath University Dept.

of Finance EMBA 19 Batch Mid-Term Exam

Course: Business Communication, Course Code: FIN-6201 Full Marks-20, Time- 1.10 Hour
Batch: 19th , Course Teacher: SK. Alamgir Hossain
Sec: A
Answer the following questions.

1 (a) Is the ability to communicate more important to the successful performance of a supervisor
to the successful performance of a company president? Defend your answer. 3
(b) Find an article in the business press or general news about a recent incident involving a
company for example, a merger or acquisition, a scandal or crisis, or the launching of a new
product. What kind of communication challenges might this event pose for the company, both
internally and externally? What kinds of messages would probably need to be written, and to
whom?
2 (a) Discuss this comment: "Long, involved sentences tend to be difficult to understand. 3
Therefore, the shorter the sentence, the better."
(b) "Words carry the message. They would carry the same meanings with or without 4
paragraphing. Therefore, paragraphing has no effect on communication." Discuss the statement.
(c) "Topic sentences merely repeat what the other sentences in the paragraph say. As they serve
only to add length, they should be eliminated." Write down your opinion. 3

Sec: B
Answer the following questions.

1 (a) Define Business communication. Why business depends upon communication? 3

.
(b) “Never mix business with personal matters—it just leads to damaged relationships, poor 4
business decisions, or both.” In what ways might this be a fair statement? In what ways is
it unwise advice?
(c) Explain the effective communication process that may help you to conduct business more 3
effectively.
2 (a) Evaluate this comment: “I’m not going to simplify my writing for my readers. That 2
. would be talking down to them. Plus, if they can’t understand clear English, that’s their
problem.”
(b) “Some short words are hard, and some long words are easy. Thus, the suggestion to prefer 2
short words doesn’t make sense.” Discuss.
(c) Explain how you would apply the basic principle of adaptation to your choice of words 6
for each of the following writing assignments:
i. An editorial in a company newsletter.
ii. A message to Joan Branch, a supervisor of an information systems department,
concerning a change in determining project priorities.
iii. A report to the chief engineer on a technical topic in the engineer’s field.
iv. A message to employees explaining a change in pension benefits.
v. A letter to company stockholders explaining a change in company reporting dates.