CMN 279 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Dependent Clause
5 Jul 2016
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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. Clarity: deliver the news clearly, briefly, respectfully and 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 you organization from legal liability. Buffer: neutral but meaningful statement that doesn"t mention the bad news. Begin with a neutral but meaningful statement that makes the reader continue reading. Relevant, concise, provides a natural transition to the reasons that follows. Reasons: gives an explanation before disclosing the bad news. Without sound reasons, your explanation will fail. Bad news: a clear, but understated announcement of the news strategically positioned in the body of the communication.
