Bad News Letter Review
Please answer peer review questions based on the bad news letter document.
Dear Joe Smith,
I hope you are enjoying your time at the office. It has been great to see how the company has flourished since you arrived.
As we have previously expressed, we like to keep our environments safe and healthy. This goes for all business portals including in-person, email, and the web. One of the reasons we’re able to keep such a safe environment is because we rely on you, the staff, to uphold the standards of the office.
There has been a recent attempt to enter our software using a phishing email. In light of these recent events, we urge you not to use company software and equipment for personal use.
To reiterate, our company policy is as follows:
Email and other computer files provided by the company are to be used for business purposes only.
Use of computer facilities for personal reasons is strictly prohibited (or, personal use may be permitted subject to approval)
No employee may add unauthorized or pirated software or files to any machine owned by the business.
Employees may not use computer files or software brought from home or other sources on the business computer (to avoid viruses).
By following our policies, you will help to continue to keep the software safe and secure. We enjoy this long-lasting relationship with you and hope that you can help keep us safe.
Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
Thank you,
Jane Smith
CEO – Big Accounting Firm
Bad News Letter Review
Is the tone personal or impersonal?
The underlying tone of the letter is personal since the letter is sent to a specific individual. The same can be seen through the use of the first-person pronoun I
Does the letter read as if it is written to one specific individual or does it sound like a form letter?
In this situation, the company opts to address a specific staff named Joe Smith.
What is the overt tone?
The overtone of the letter is a warning to the employee.
What is the underlying tone?
The underlying tone of sincere and specific concern. The CEO is not insinuating that Joe Smith has broken some of the company's rules and is using an underlying tone of being subtle in his message.
Is the message sincere, personal, and specific? Does the letter have a greeting and a closure?
The letter also has both an opening and a closing. The letter starts with addressing Joe Smith and checks if he is doing fine, making it personal. The letter closes with a 'thank you and a closing letter tag.
Is the message’s purpose apparent?
The letter's message is apparent as the company has evidence of attempted hacking of the software and system.
Does the writer foster good will toward the company or organization?
The employee, Joe Smith, also fosters goodwill in the organization, which is evident in the letter.
Will the reader feel loyal to the organization after receiving the message?
The CEO recognizes the effort and value that Joe Smith brings to the organization. The acknowledgment by the CEO of the wonderful work Mr. Joes Smith has been doing will make Joe Smith feel loyal to the company even more.
Is the message clear or veiled?
The letter was to make him help the organization make the working environment favourable; the message is clear, and the CEO adds to remind Mr. Smith of the company's policies. Additionally, the CEO has shown compassion because he intends to make the working environment safe for all his staff and passes the message directly.
Does the writer show empathy or compassion?
The letter was tailor-made specifically for Joe Smith, which adds to him feeling val...