When you're writing a negative message,use ________ to take some of the sting out of the bad news and to help your reader accept the message and move forward.

A) facts and figures
B) clarity and sensitivity
C) subtlety and innuendo
D) blame and leverage
E) company policy

When delivering negative news, it's important to be clear and direct to avoid confusion, but also to be sensitive to the potential impact the news will have on the recipient. Being clear and transparent shows respect to the reader, while sensitivity helps to soften the blow of the negative message. Using facts and figures can be helpful, but may not always alleviate the emotional impact of the news. Subtlety and innuendo should be avoided, as they can add confusion and complexity to a negative message. Blame and leverage can come across as aggressive or accusatory, which is not helpful in the delivery of negative news. Finally, company policy may sometimes be a relevant consideration, but it is not a substitute for sensitivity and clarity when delivering negative news.