ADV. 13.5. DEALING WITH NEWS

I. RESPONDING TO NEWS ABOUT OTHERS

1. REACTING TO NEWS

Reacting to expected news

You can react to news in varying degrees. If it's expected news, use expressions like these: Knowing you, I'm not surprised at all. Well, it has been in the cards. I could see this coming a mile off. Reacting to unexpected news   If reacting to unexpected news with surprise, use expressions like this: It came as a surprise to us all. I, for one, certainly wasn't expecting this. This is all a bit out of the blue. 2. EXPRESSING EMPATHY Relating things to your own experience   One way to show empathy with others is to let them know you have experienced something similar: I know exactly how that feels. I've been there before. I understand what you're going through. You can acknowledge the seriousness of someone's bad news by indicating the situation is beyond what you can understand: I don't know what I'd do if I were in your shoes.I can't imagine how you must feel.I can't even begin to understand what you're going through.

II. DISCUSSING THE EFFECTS OF EVENTS ON BUSINESS 

1. EVENTS EFFECTING BUSINESS  Responses and impacts   Governments often make changes in economic policy in response to changes in the economy. reduce taxes on income introduce a minimum wage lower interest rates cut business tax rates There may be some consequences from changing economic conditions or government policy: It might lead to companies adjusting their profit forecasts. The executives may be forced to make a round of cuts to headcount. They might have to put a cap on salary increases. Companies sometimes freeze their project pipelines. 2. GAUGING REACTION AND EVALUATING IMPACT  Referring to other people's problems   When negative events affect people, you can use expressions like these to describe their reactions: They're taking it pretty well. She's surprisingly upbeat about it. He's not taking it too well. It's not going down too well over there. You can also describe the impact events have had: It has cut pretty deep. It's hit the company pretty hard, to be honest. We've not been affected that much, funnily enough. They got away with it, really.

3. EXPRESSING CERTAINTY AND DOUBT

Are you certain?

When speculating about the future, use expressions like this to indicate things are not very clear: It's all a bit up in the air. At the moment, it's anybody's guess. Your guess is as good as mine. It's going to be a bit of a waiting game. It's too early to tell. If you are more certain about what's going to happen, use expressions like this: It's clear we need to do something. I've got no doubt about it. It seems pretty locked in. There's an air of inevitability.

III. DISCUSSING UNEXPECTED NEWS 

1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Financial information vocabulary

Use words like these to talk about financial investments. Our pension fund contains very few risky investments. My retirement plan contains mainly conservative investments. Timing is everything in a volatile market. I wish it were a more stable market. Savings accounts give guaranteed returns. 2. DISTANCING AND ADDING DISCLAIMERS Qualifying and distancing an opinion   During discussions, you can add disclaimers to communicate uncertainty or distance yourself from opinions to avoid conflict: It could be me, but I don't think that's the best idea right now. Well, I could be wrong, but the markets are just too volatile. I don't know how others see it, but this could be just a small loss. It seems to me that a retirement plan is the way to go. You can also use expressions like these to hedge facts and opinions. Generally, you'll find volatile markets during a slowdown. It appears that since interest rates went up, so has the market. You're right about the market, to an extent. 3. RESTATING OPINIONS AFTER OBJECTIONS   Disagreement and objection   Here are some ways you can soften disagreement to avoid conflict. First, before disagreeing, acknowledge that you understand the other person's opinion. I hear you, but I'm not going, OK? I see where you're coming from, but I'm just not interested. I get your point, but I'm going to invest anyway. If you hear strong objections to one of your ideas, you can reply by giving a reminder of an important point or fact: I hear you. But I can't ignore the fact that I've got too much stuff. If you expect disagreement, you can make it clear that you're just offering your perspective. Well, the way I see it, you just need to wait. Oh, it looked like a good prospect – for me, at least. All I'm saying is take a closer look at this investment. I see. The only thing is, the price has been rising for the last year.

IV. WRITING INFORMATIONAL EMAILS

1. KNOWING WHAT TO EDIT

The self-editing process

Good writers read and re-read their work to clean up mistakes and improve the quality of their writing. Here are three areas to consider when you're about to self-edit.

Edit for content

Did you answer all the questions you were asked? Did you miss any points? Which points need more detail?

Edit for structure

Did you organize your text effectively for what you wanted to communicate? The two best ways to emphasize your main point are to either start with it or end. Which did you do?

Edit for style

Did you write your email in an appropriate style? Should it be formal or informal? Are you giving someone information or trying to persuade? 3. WRITING CONCISELY Using active and concise language   You can use several techniques to make your business and academic writing more clear. First, eliminate redundant expressions. Notice that the second version of each pair of sentences is shorter – and more effective.

Reflect back on what you write.
Reflect on what you write.

Let me know whether or not you'll attend.
Let me know whether you'll attend.

We've hired a team of knowledgeable experts.
We've hired a team of experts.

Eliminate unnecessary repetition. Notice that the second version of the text is much shorter and to the point. The entire second sentence is reduced to only May 3rd deadline. It is the only part that is important.

My team hit the deadline for the Crane project. The deadline for the project was May 3rd. The team also wrote the final report for the Crane project.

My team hit the May 3rd deadline for the Crane project and wrote the final report.

Try to write with active verbs instead of noun forms. Don't overuse be. Notice that the second version of each pair of sentences substitutes an active verb for a form of be.

The software is for complete protection against viruses. The software completely protects against viruses. Mazo's new products are a threat to our profits. Mazo's new products threaten our profits. You can use several techniques to make your business and academic writing more clear. First, eliminate redundant expressions. Notice that the second version of each pair of sentences is shorter – and more effective. The issue was analyzed by Canary Consult.Canary Consult analyzed the issue. The first deadline will be hit on September 5th.We'll hit the first deadline on September 5th.