Positive emphasis is one of the building blocks of good business writing. Using positive emphasis means looking at the glass as “half full” instead of “half empty” in situations where that is possible. You can create positive emphasis with the words, information, organization, and layout you choose.

Positive Emphasis To learn how to Continue building goodwill. Emphasize the positive. Use positive emphasis ethically. Begin to choose an appropriate tone.

Start by answering these questions: Positive Emphasis Start by answering these questions: How do I create positive emphasis? What’s the best way to apologize? Why do I need to think about tone, politeness, and power?

Some Negatives Are Necessary While business readers generally prefer to see the glass as “half full,” some negatives may be necessary for readers. In those situations, be tactful in how you present negatives. To build credibility when giving bad news. To help people to take a problem seriously. While business readers generally prefer to see the glass as “half full,” some negatives may be necessary for readers. In those situations, be tactful in how you present negatives.

Some Negatives Are Necessary In some messages, such as negative performance appraisals, your purpose is to deliver a rebuke with no alternative. Even here, avoid insults or attacks on the reader's integrity or sanity. Being honest about the drawbacks of a job reduces turnover. Sometimes negatives create a "reverse psychology" that makes people look favorably at your product. Appraisal: تقييم rebuke : توبيخ sanity: استقامة , العقل turnover : ترك العمل reverse psychology: To do the opposite of what is suggested

Some Negatives Are Necessary In the situations where negatives are necessary, be tactful in how you present negatives. We use negatives to: build credibility when giving bad news. help people to take a problem seriously. deliver a rebuke with no alternative. While business readers generally prefer to see the glass as “half full,” some negatives may be necessary for readers. In those situations, be tactful in how you present negatives. tactful لبق

How do I create Positive Emphasis Avoid negative words. Focus on what the reader can do. Justify a negative—give a reason or link it to a reader benefit. Positive emphasis can be created by avoiding negative words, focusing on what the reader can do, and justifying a negative.

How do I create Positive Emphasis continued Omit unimportant negatives. Put the negative in the middle and present it compactly. Omitting unimportant negatives and putting the negative in the middle and presenting it compactly are also strategies to create positive emphasis. Compactly بشكل مختصر

Some Common Negative Words Afraid Bad Careless Delay Delinquent Deny Difficulty Error Fail Fault Loss Misfortune Mistake Neglect Never No Problem Reject Sorry Terrible Trivial Wrong Unfair Unfortunate Common negative words included afraid, careless, fault, never, no, problem, reject, terrible, and unfortunate. Where possible, use more positive words to convey your information..

Positive Emphasis Examples Replace negative words with positive words Negative: We have failed to take inventory. Better: We will be finished taking inventory Friday. Use specifics to be both positive and accurate Look to improve positive emphasis where possible. Exercycle : an exercise bike. Negative: This exercycle is not guaranteed for life. Better: This exercycle is guaranteed for 10 years.

Positive Emphasis Examples Omit double negatives Negative: Do not forget to back up your disks. Better: Always back up your disks. Focus on what the reader can do Look to improve positive emphasis where possible. Negative: We will not allow you to charge more than $1,500 on your VISA card. Better: You can charge $1,500 on your VISA card. 11

Positive Emphasis Getting rid of negatives has the added benefit of making what you write easier to understand. Sentences with three or more negatives are very hard to understand. Look to improve positive emphasis where possible. Google Exercycle

Positive Emphasis hidden negatives: words that are not negative in themselves but become negative in context But and however indicate a shift, so, after a positive statement, they are negative. I hope and I trust that suggest that you aren't sure. Look to improve positive emphasis where possible. Google Exercycle

Positive Emphasis Examples Beware of hidden negatives Negative: Now Crispy Crunch tastes better. What implication does it indicate? Better: Now Crispy Crunch tastes even better. Omit unimportant negatives Look to improve positive emphasis where possible. Implication: it used to taste terrible. Negative: If you are not satisfied with Interstate Fidelity Insurance, you do not have to renew your policy. Better: Omit the sentence. 14

Positive Emphasis Examples Beware of hidden negatives Negative: I hope this is the information you wanted. 1) What implication does it indicate? Better: Enclosed is a brochure about …. Look to improve positive emphasis where possible. Implication: tells customers that I’m not sure. you can expect problems Negative: Please be patient as we switch to the automated system. 2) What implication does it indicate? Better: You will able to get information instantly about any. 15

Positive Emphasis Examples Justify Negative information by Giving a Season Negative: We cannot sell computer disks in lots of less than 10. Better: To keep down packaging costs and to help customers save on shipping and handling costs, we sell computer disks only in lots of 10 or more. Look to improve positive emphasis where possible. Implication: tells customers that I’m not sure. you can expect problems 16

Using Positive Emphasis Ethically Bury the Negative information and Present It Compactly The beginning and end are always positions of emphasis To deemphasize a negative, put it in the middle of a paragraph rather than in the first or last sentence, in the middle of the message rather than in the first or last paragraphs.

Using Positive Emphasis Ethically The methods to achieve positive emphasis can be misused, so be careful when using them. Don’t omit necessary details. Focus on what the reader can do rather than on limitations only when the situation is appropriate. Presenting information in type large enough to be read easily. Don’t hide meaning by using less common terms.

Unit Two End of Module 7