GoalRewrite a message so that it is positive, friendly and easy to understand.
New words
positive · good and hopeful, not negativemisread · to understand something in a wrong wayemoji · a small picture of a face or object that shows a feelingbody language · what our faces and hands say without words
Explanation
When we talk, our voice, face and hands tell the listener how we feel. In writing all this is missing, so a message can be misread as unkind even when it was not meant that way. To keep a message positive: use words like can and will instead of can’t and won’t; use friendly, simple sentences, but keep spelling and full sentences correct; begin and end with something kind, such as ‘How are you?’ or ‘Have a nice weekend!’; use one or two emojis only if the other person uses them first; and assume the best. If a message sounds rude, think: maybe the writer did not mean it, and ask kindly.
Not so good
Better
I can’t come on Friday.
I can come on Saturday. Is that fine?
Unfortunately I won’t finish.
I will finish tomorrow morning.
Send it now!
Could you send it today, please?
Worked examples
Youssef reads: ‘Fine.’ and thinks his friend is angry. Then he remembers: words alone can be misread. He asks, ‘Is everything OK?’ and finds out his friend was just busy.
Habiba begins her message to a teacher with ‘Hello, how are you?’ and ends with ‘Thank you and have a good weekend!’ A kind start and end make the whole message friendly.
Karim wants to use an emoji, but his teacher never does. Karim waits: he will use an emoji only if the other person uses one first. One or two are enough.
Class activity
Positive makeover. Rewrite these four messages so they are positive and friendly, with correct spelling: 1. ‘I can’t help you today.’ 2. ‘Why didn’t you reply?!’ 3. ‘Unfortunately I won’t be there.’ 4. ‘Your idea is boring.’ Swap with a partner. Do you both find the new versions kinder? Then say which words (such as can, will, please, thank you) made the difference.
Practice
1
Why can a written message be misread?
Voice, face and hands are missing, so the reader may guess a wrong feeling.
2
Rewrite in a positive way: ‘I can’t come today.’
For example: ‘I can come tomorrow. Is that all right?’
3
When is it safe to use an emoji?
When the other person uses emojis first, and only one or two.
4
What does ‘assume the best’ mean?
Think the writer meant well, and ask kindly if you are unsure.
