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OUMH 2203
ENGLISH FOR WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION
ASSIGNMENT 2: USING DIPLOMATIC LANGUAGE IN THE WORKPLACE (20%)
MAY 2017 SEMESTER
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INSTRUCTIONS
1. Complete your assignment in the English language only.

2. The assignment you submit should be rendered in the MS-WORD format only, unless
specified otherwise. Do not convert your text into any picture format such as .gif / .jpeg /
print screen / etc.

3. Your assignment should be typed using 12 point Times New Roman font and 1.5 line
spacing.

4. Do not include the assignment question and instructions in the assignment you submit.

5. Your assignment must be submitted ONLINE via the myINSPIRE. Refer to the portal for
instructions. You are advised to keep a copy of the assignment you submit for personal
reference.

6. You can submit your assignment online ONCE only in a SINGLE file.

7. Ensure that you keep the RECEIPT issued upon submission of your assignment as proof of
submission. Your assignment will be considered as NOT submitted if you fail to produce the
submission receipt in any dispute.

8. Your assignment must be submitted online between 10th 23rd July 2017. Submission
after 23rd July 2017 will NOT be accepted.

9. Any assignment detected to have been plagiarised will be marked down, failed outright,
and/or referred to the Universitys disciplinary committee for further action.

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Focus
Assignment 2 is an advanced extension of Assignment 1. It seeks to provide you with further
opportunity to phrase your language diplomatically when the need arises.

Suggested Preparatory Activities

1. Revisit the short online article, How to Use Diplomatic Language in Your Next Business
Meeting in English, which you would have studied prior to your completion of
Assignment 1.

The article may be accessed at:

https://englishwithatwist.com/2016/11/24/business-skills-how-to-use-diplomatic-
language-in-your-next-business-meeting-in-english/

2. To refresh your memory on diplomatic language usage, watch again the short video clip,
Using Diplomatic English at Work, at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruPxnIAjgyg

The Assignment
Rewrite the following statements. Use one or more strategies to make the statements more
diplomatic. The first two have been done for you.
Note: Your answers will be marked for appropriate use of diplomatic language, as well as
grammar and mechanics (spelling, punctuation, capitalization, etc.).

Statement 0 (Example)
We should wait for Ahmad.
Answer: Shouldnt we wait for Ahmad?

Statement 00 (Example)
That will not work.
Answer: That might not work.

Statement 1

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 I think we should include Dr Khoo in the meeting if hes available.
Answer: ________________________________________

Statement 2
We should delay the project.
Answer: ________________________________________

Statement 3
I want more time to finish this presentation.
Answer: ________________________________________

Statement 4
It is better if he were replaced by someone with the right skills.
Answer: ________________________________________

Statement 5
We have a problem with the accounts.
Answer: ________________________________________

Statement 6
There has been a bad accident.
Answer: ________________________________________

Statement 7
You made a lousy decision.
Answer: ________________________________________

Statement 8

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 I dont like it.
Answer: ________________________________________

Statement 9
You dont understand me.
Answer: ________________________________________

Statement 10
I dont know what you mean.
Answer: ________________________________________