Question

Select all that apply
Which of the following are good principles for determining the amount of information to include in a
business communication? (Choose every correct answer.)
The message is more persuasive when it contains substantial background information and
interesting anecdotes.
Efficient communication calls for providing only the most important ideas and allowing the
reader to follow up with questions.
The reader might not know how to respond to a message that has too little information.
Too much information is distracting and makes the message harder to comprehend.

Answer 1

Correct answers:
- Efficient communication calls for providing only the most important ideas and allowing the reader to follow up with questions.
- The reader might not know how to respond to a message that has too little information.
- Too much information is distracting and makes the message harder to comprehend.

Explanation: Good business communication is concise but complete — include the key points and necessary details so the reader can act, avoid overload that distracts or obscures the main message, and don’t leave out essentials that would prevent the reader from responding or taking next steps. The first choice (more persuasive with lots of background and anecdotes) is only true when that material is directly relevant; as a general principle it encourages unnecessary detail.