Considerations About Your State of Mind While Writing a Bad News Letter
09/12/2003

Sometimes a situation calling for a bad news letter might make you really mad.  Many business writing textbooks caution writers to never write while angry.  I do not share this opinion.  In fact, it's been my experience that when someone has made me really angry and I must respond with some form of written communication, I do some of my best work while furious.  I can remember every injustice heaped upon me by the reader or the reader's company, and this a good time to get this information on paper before I forget it later.  Also, writing about the situation keeps me from exploding with rage.

However, I never write the final draft of a document while I am angry.  Anger can also cloud your judgment and perhaps cause you to say something you'll regret later.  At the very least, you may say something that makes you sound more like Yosemite Sam rather than a rational creature with a legitimate complaint.  I wait until I calm down, then go back and revise my letter, adding information I forgot the first time and editing out any imprudent statements.  I only send the letter after I am sufficiently calm and feel I have written a document that delivers the negative message in a rational and clear way.

Considerations About the Reader's State of Mind While Receiving Your Negative Message