If you must deliver bad news, determine ________ to help you ...

[armygirl]

If you must deliver bad news, determine ________ to help you choose the direct or indirect approach for delivering the message.
 
  A) how much you care about the audience
  B) how important the news is to the reader
  C) your writing style preferences
  D) how much time is available to develop a message
  E) if a strong buffer can be developed

Question 2

What should you keep in mind when you're deciding what to include in a message of condolence?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[nixon_s]

Answer to Question 1

Answer: B
Explanation: B) When you must deliver bad news, consider how it will affect your audience, choose your approach, and then use a respectful, audience-centered tone to deliver your message.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: As you decide what to include in the message, keep the following points in mind. First, make it a personal expression of sympathy, but don't make the whole message about you and your sense of loss. Second, don't offer life advice, and don't include trite sayings that you may have heard or read. At this point, soon after the loss, the recipient doesn't want your advice, only your sympathy. Finally, don't bring religion into the discussion unless you have a close personal relationship with the recipient and religion is already a part of your relationship.