Before you start: Writing That Works Pretest

About 10 minutes. Not graded. 12 questions, plus 3 quick confidence questions.

This is not a test you pass or fail. It is fine not to know these answers. Many people will not, because you have not taken the course yet. Your answers show your starting point, so at the end you can see how far you came.

Why we ask: it shows what you already know and which ideas are new to you. When you finish the course, you will see your before and after for each skill, so you can see where you grew and what to review.

How sure do you feel?

Rate each line from 1 (not at all sure) to 5 (very sure). There is no right answer.

I can put the main point in the first sentence.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

I can write a clear subject line and a specific request.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

I can match my tone to the reader.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

I can write a complaint with the problem, proof, and fix.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

I can check a message with read aloud and a spelling tool.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

Questions

1. Which first line leads with the point?

A. Hi! Hope your week is going well so far. B. Can I leave at 3 today? C. So, I have a long story about today.

2. Why put the main point in the first sentence?

A. Busy readers may only read the first line. B. Rules say a message must open with a question about the reader's day. C. It makes the message longer.

3. What did researchers find when they cut an email from 127 words to 49?

A. More people responded to it. B. Nothing changed at all in the results. C. Fewer people responded.

4. Which email subject line works best?

A. Rent receipt for October, Unit 3A B. Hi there, quick question for you today C. Important!!! Please read right away

5. What makes an ask in an email specific?

A. It is very polite. B. It says what and by when. C. It explains your whole week in detail first.

6. Why avoid all capital letters in an email?

A. It makes the email much longer. B. It looks too formal for email. C. It reads like shouting.

7. Your boss asked staff to message through the work app. You will be late. What do you do?

A. Say nothing and arrive late. B. Post about it on social media. C. Send a message through the work app.

8. Which tone fits a message to a company about a bill?

A. Angry words so they take you seriously B. Jokes to keep it light C. Facts and a clear ask

9. What should you gather before you write a complaint?

A. Nothing; just write it fast while upset B. Receipts and other proof C. The names of all the workers

10. A made up shop sold you a broken fan. Which request works best?

A. Please exchange it by Nov 20. B. Fix it. C. I want you to know how upset I am about this fan.

11. Why do spelling tools miss some errors?

A. They are off until you turn them on. B. They only check the first page. C. They miss real words used wrong.

12. What should you check that a tool cannot?

A. Whether the words look nice B. Names, dates, and amounts C. How many words are in the message overall

Save my starting point

Next up

Go to Lesson 1: Lead with the point.

This self check is not graded. BMU compares it with your first Posttest to see how much the course helped.