Considerations About the Reader's State of Mind While Receiving Your Negative Message
09/12/2003Next, make sure that your writing is reader centered, that it focuses on the needs and feelings of the reader rather than the writer. For example, someone being rejected for a job doesn't want to hear about what a tough time you had making your decision. This person is still smarting from the rejection and will be more interested in finding out what qualifications were lacking. You at least still have a job. Or if, for example, you tell someone you can't give a refund, don't hide behind store policy. Instead, explain the reasoning behind that store policy.
Remember that people respond better to positive reinforcement rather than negative reinforcement. Think about how you would feel if your mother told you to clean your room before she smacks you as opposed to nicely asking you to clean your room. Which would make you clean your room faster? And what sort of attitude would you have towards cleaning your room that could hinder or help your productivity?