Reply to comment about "How to deliver bad news"

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Submitted by Sheila Ethier on November 10, 2022, at 11:57

Thank you for your comment! Here is an explanation that I hope will be helpful.
The opening in a bad news letter is called a “neutral” opening because it’s neither positive nor negative. We don’t want to begin with the bad news, but it’s also very important not to begin with too positive an opening. We have to avoid saying anything that makes the reader expect good news. If we follow the neutral opening with a logical explanation and then the bad news statement, we lead up to the bad news gradually. The reader can see it coming and is much better prepared to receive it. I hope this explanation clears up any confusion. :)
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