Bad-news messages can be organized using the direct or indirect strategy. Identify one situation when each strategy would be  appropriate and identify the organizational pattern for each strategy.

​ Students should identify one of the following appropriate situations for each strategy and the organizational pattern for each strategy.
Direct Strategy:
1.  Appropriate if bad news
a)is not damaging,
b)may be overlooked,
c)is preferred by the recipient, and
d)requires firmness
2.  Organizational pattern: bad news, reasons, pleasant close
Indirect Strategy:
1.  Appropriate if bad news
a)is personally upsetting,
b)may provoke a hostile reaction,
c)could threaten the customer relationship, and
d)is unexpected
2.  Organizational pattern: buffer, reasons, bad news, pleasant close