An effective opening for a bad-news message
A)notes the date of the message being answered.
B)expresses gratitude for the time the receiver took to write.
C)provides an immediate answer to the receiver's request.
D)makes a neutral comment related to the main idea.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When delivering bad news, it is important to start with a neutral comment related to the main idea. This helps set the tone for the message and can make the receiver feel less defensive. Starting with a comment unrelated to the main idea or providing an immediate answer may come across as insincere or dismissive of the receiver's concerns. While expressing gratitude for the receiver's time is a good practice, it should come after the opening comment related to the main idea. Note the date of the message being answered is not necessary for an effective opening.

An Effective Opening for a Bad-News Message