CMN 279 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Dependent Clause, Cushioning

• School: Ryerson University
• Department: Communication
• Course: CMN 279
• Professor: John Burry

Document Summary

Strategic negative messages require special attention to content, structure, context, and tone. The objective is to preserve goodwill and ensure the recipient finishes reading the message and accepts the news without feeling bitter or hostile. Controversial an effort to disguise bad news. Clarity: deliver the news clearly, briefly, respectfully only once. Acceptance: help readers accept the bad news by showing fairness and logic of the decision, explaining when possible. Positive image: maintain and build goodwill toward reader and writer. Protection: protect yourself and your org from legal liability. Bad news is always put in the middle of the message. Use it when: you do(cid:374)"t k(cid:374)o(cid:449) the reader (cid:449)ell, the bad news us unexpected, you anticipate a strong, negative reaction. Buffer: neutral (cid:271)ut (cid:373)ea(cid:374)i(cid:374)gful state(cid:373)e(cid:374)t that does(cid:374)"t (cid:373)e(cid:374)tio(cid:374) the (cid:271)ad (cid:374)e(cid:449)s. Reasons: gives an explanation before disclosing the bad news, tells why refusal is necessary.