| Buffer
Not Needed |
Buffer
Depending on Situation |
Buffer
Always |
..research findings... indicate the indirect organization pattern is not common in business writing. ...the president is not directly responsible for mandating the cuts; thus he does not have to so much justify the reasons for the cuts as explain the details... David & Baker 1994: 258, 260 |
“...some of the most helpful approaches apply the principles of speech act theory ... [but] they can only tell me how indirectness functions ... they cannot tell me why writers might choose directness or indirectness.... Alred 1992, p. 24 |
“I have recommitted myself, as well, to always providing a buffer in the general comments I write at the end of student work...” Williams 2006: 164 |
“...results show that buffers did not significantly affect college students’ responses to simulated letters refusing credit and denying admission to graduate school...” Locker 1999: 5 |
“When ...your audience prefers to have things up front, [or] are concerned that the bad news may be missed, or don’t expect it to be damaging, write a direct message.” Angel 2007: 146. Many business writers, however, prefer to use the indirect pattern in delivering negative messages. The indirect strategy is especially appealing to relationship-oriented writers.” Guffey 2003: 322-323 |
“Bates, a competitive,
1,700-student college, expresses its regrets to rejected applicants and
praises its applicant pool. But it delivers a more direct, and perhaps
more honest, message: "The deans were obliged to select from among
candidates who clearly could do sound work at Bates," the letter says. The letter touched off a chorus of moans online.” Shellenbarger 2009 |
| Bad
News About... |
||
| Physical
Facts//Resources |
Social
Relations//Agreements |
Assumptions//Proposals |
“We cannot grant your request to have your credit limit...raised to $400...” “We cannot offer you a place in the next entering class for [our graduate program]...” Locker 1999: 14, 17 |
August 29, 1943 Dear Walter: I hope this finds you doing well. I have been keeping busy. I work at Martin’s aircraft factory. I started in March and I like it. I don’t know how to tell you this but you need know! I met this really nice guy... www.boatnerd.com/pictures/special/brown/ cruise/deajohn.jpg |
“[A faculty member] did not assign a grade for a student in [a course he taught]... Please remind your faculty of the importance of submitting ALL grades by the deadline. Thanks.” ...I reacted angrily to the inference that I would not already have talked with our department faculty about the “importance of submitting ALL grades by the deadline” Williams 2006: 166 |
| Attention: Service Manager A manufacturing error has been discovered in Brush Bull 72 blade carrier assemblies (PN57192) that fall within the serial number range listed above. www.engl.niu.edu/wac/ MemoVersions.htm Dear Valued FedEx Customer: Effective February 15, your rates for FedEx US domestic services will change to those in the enclosed rate agreement. These new rates reflect an average increase of between 3% and 4%. However, rates for FedEx Standard Overnight are decreasing in heavier weights. Guffy 2003: 325 |
“Hi Wanda, You did such a
good job of explaining the merits of our new Executive-inResidence
program that I’ve tentatively decided to apply for the program
myself. To keep my options open, then, I must ask you to select someone else to
serve on the evaluation committee.” Ober 2003: 307 In 1805, Iroquois chiefs met to consider a request from a missionary to establish a church on a Seneca reservation. Sagoyewatha (Red Jacket), the principal Seneca orator, presented the Senecas’ reply, diplomatically rejecting the request in an indirect bad-news message. He buffers the beginning, presents strong reasons for the refusal, and closes with an ending designed to maintain goodwill. Samson 2006: 1 |
Thanks very much for your suggestions for changes in our company's dress code. Here are our thoughts and conclusions on this subject. -We have many visitors and customers who tour all parts of our facility, including our warehouse. As you are aware, they come from many parts of our country. Some even visit from overseas. -Your image is a reflection of the professional statement we make as a company. -Your company-issued uniforms were designed with your comfort in mind. For all of these reasons it was decided to continue the dress code as it currently exists... Picardi 2001: 162 |
