The Direct and Indirect Approach

Choose one of the following prompts. Write two brief messages for the chosen prompt. First, write your message using the direct approach. Then revise your message to demonstrate the indirect approach.

A message to a customer informing him that his order is on back-order and will arrive three weeks late. It’s December 15 and he was expecting the package to arrive by Christmas.
A message to your boss notifying him that you have to extend your paid time off because you missed your flight and cannot attend an important business meeting on Monday morning.
A message to your team of 10 employees notifying them that there will be no year-end bonuses because you did not meet your department goals.
A message to all employees informing them that to avoid layoffs each employee will need to forfeit one week’s paid vacation.