PERSUASIVE ANd BAd NEWS mESSAGES In some cases, delivering bad news uses the direct strategy. For example, anyone who has ever received a rejection letter from a college (certainly bad news) knows that the bad news comes in the first line. This is done so that the anxious student does not overlook the information. If you think your reader would prefer to read the bad news first or if
the situation demands firmness, use the direct approach for bad news. Begin with the bad news itself, explain the reasons for the bad news in the body, and close politely but firmly.
However, bad news is frequently delivered using the indirect strategy. This structure
has four main elements, as Table 4.2 illustrates.
Table 4.2 Bad news message indirect strategy elementsIndirect strategy elementsWriting strategyNeutral or buffer statement describe a point on which both parties can agree
Express appreciation
Begin
with good newsOffer praise
Reasons leading to message
Include details supporting the denial
Omit apologizing
Use positive
language wherever possibleThe negative or undesired news
Clearly state the bad news to eliminate any misunderstanding deemphasize the bad news by placing it in a subordinate clause
Polite close
Aim to build goodwill
by offering an alternative, if possible, or a simple forward-looking statement
Begin your negative news correspondence
with ab buffer or neutral Share with your friends: 
