| Nobody wants to be the bearer of bad news. | | | | maintaining an amicable relationship between the |
| Sometimes, though, you'll have to step up to the | | | | reader and the receiver is of no great importance. |
| plate, especially in business settings. | | | | Despite the lack of desire for tact, do make sure |
| What kinds of "bad news" will you likely find | | | | your communication is courteous and has |
| yourself needing to convey within a professional | | | | received the benefit of a grammar software to |
| capacity? Most likely, it will be some form of | | | | ensure no confusion. A direct format makes the |
| rejection letter, termination letter, a circular that | | | | "bad news" definite and rarely makes room for |
| the bonus will be delayed by six months or | | | | appeal. |
| something similar. Whether expressed through | | | | Indirect Format |
| email, a memo or another, is always delivered in | | | | The indirect style of writing prepares the reader |
| one of two ways -- directly or indirectly. | | | | for the bad news and provides a clear reasoning |
| Direct Format | | | | for the decision. An effort is clearly made to let |
| The direct format is a straightforward relaying of | | | | the reader know that everything has been done |
| the bad news, intended to inform the reader | | | | to avoid the situation, in the interest of preserving |
| immediately of the situation. Most of the time, this | | | | positive terms. Use plenty of tact and employ |
| is used in communication with people whose | | | | "soft" words for best results. |
| reaction you don't really care about, where | | | | |