Exam 11: Writing Negative Messages

The buffer of a negative message

Which of the following can help you handle requests for recommendations in a social networking environment?

Negative messages about business transactions are designed to

Instead of announcing the bad news up front, you can open with a ________ to establish common ground with the reader.

It is a good idea to use "company policy" as a cushion when presenting reasons for bad news.

In the close to a negative message, you should repeat the bad news.

What four guidelines should you follow in writing effective closings to negative messages?

When rejecting a job applicant, you can soften the blow by

To avoid legal problems, businesses should delay communicating with the media in the aftermath of a crisis.

When writing a(n)________ message, present specific reasons for asking the employee to leave.

A primary goal of negative messages is to gain ________ of the bad news.

In the reasons section of a negative message, you should

Explain how an effective buffer differs from one that is poorly written. Provide an example of a buffer that would be inappropriate for a message explaining that a student's grade appeal has been denied.

If you are turning down an invitation, it is usually necessary to use the indirect approach.

The challenge of ________ is a direct result of the proliferation of social media and other communication technologies.

Which one of the following would be the most effective way to open an indirect message that delivers bad news to someone who applied for a summer internship?

When delivering bad news, wording such as "We must turn down," "I am unable to," and "We cannot afford to"

When writing an employment termination letter, you should

You can help establish the right tone in a negative message by using positive words rather than negative, counterproductive ones.

When you need to inform employees that a benefit or privilege will be eliminated