{"id":532,"date":"2023-09-21T18:40:55","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T18:40:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/chapter\/types-of-criticism\/"},"modified":"2024-07-23T23:32:01","modified_gmt":"2024-07-23T23:32:01","slug":"types-of-criticism","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/chapter\/types-of-criticism\/","title":{"raw":"Learn It 10.3.1 Feedback in Messages","rendered":"Learn It 10.3.1 Feedback in Messages"},"content":{"raw":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\">\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Recognize the difference between various types of feedback used in business<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Understand how to write feedback messages for people outside your organization<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Understand how to write feedback messages for people inside your organization<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<h2>Feedback in the Workplace<\/h2>\r\n<p>Feedback is constructive information or suggestions provided with the intent of promoting growth and improvement. The words feedback and criticism are often used interchangeably. Criticism in the workplace is generally imagined as situations around a manager and a subordinate, but it is not limited to that. You can also give constructive feedback about the actions of colleagues, customers, or vendors.<\/p>\r\n<p>How do you write about issues in the workplace that are negative or need improvement? When putting feedback or criticism into writing, the technique will vary based on the situation\u2014who is giving the feedback and who or what is being criticized. Written feedback in the workplace may be approached in a direct versus indirect style, a constructive style, or an active versus passive voice style.<\/p>\r\n<p>Here are some examples of [pb_glossary id=\"3127\"]active voice[\/pb_glossary] versus [pb_glossary id=\"3128\"]passive voice[\/pb_glossary] style:<\/p>\r\n<section class=\"textbox example\">\r\n<p>Active voice: I cannot authorize your entertainment entries on your expense report.<\/p>\r\n<p>Passive voice: Entertainment entries are no longer covered in our expense policy.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>Active voice: Company policy prevents us from offering direct deposit until employees have been on the job for 3 months.<\/p>\r\n<p>Passive voice: Direct deposit is offered only after employees have been on the job for 3 months.<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<h3>Constructive Criticism<\/h3>\r\n<p>The goal of <strong>constructive criticism<\/strong> is to improve the behavior or the behavioral results of a person while consciously avoiding personal attacks and blaming. This kind of criticism is carefully framed in language acceptable to the target person, often acknowledging that the critics themselves could be wrong. Insulting and hostile language is avoided, and phrases are used such as, \u201cI feel\u2026\u201d and \u201cIt\u2019s my understanding that\u2026\u201d and so on. Constructive critics try to stand in the shoes of the person being criticized and consider what the situation would look like from their perspective.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Direct vs. Indirect Feedback<\/h3>\r\n<p>Direct and indirect written feedback differ in the order that the criticism, the reasons for the criticism, the [pb_glossary id=\"2341\"]buffer[\/pb_glossary], and the close are organized in the message. Using the indirect style is best for reducing resentment and keeping employees open to receiving bad news constructively.<\/p>\r\n<p>Here is an example of direct-style written feedback:<\/p>\r\n<section class=\"textbox example\">\r\n<p>To: Soraya Turner<\/p>\r\n<p>From: Vivian Wesley<\/p>\r\n<p>Subject: Your Social Media Use At Work<\/p>\r\n<p>Dear Soraya,<\/p>\r\n<p>[Criticism] You must cease your social media use during business hours immediately.<\/p>\r\n<p>[Reasons] Company management believes that it is too great a risk to allow employees to use social media while on the job. They worry that you could compromise sensitive company information. At the very least, much time is being wasted online when productive work could be done.<\/p>\r\n<p>[Close] We appreciate your compliance.<\/p>\r\n<p>Best regards,<\/p>\r\n<p>Vivian Wesley<\/p>\r\n<p>VP Marketing<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<p>Here is an example of indirect-style written criticism:<\/p>\r\n<section class=\"textbox example\">\r\n<p>To: Soraya Turner<\/p>\r\n<p>From: Vivian Wesley<\/p>\r\n<p>Subject: Your Social Media Use At Work<\/p>\r\n<p>Dear Soraya,<\/p>\r\n<p>[Buffer] The company greatly appreciates the insights gained from your activity on social media. The information has been quite helpful in revising our future product plans.<\/p>\r\n<p>[Reasons] However, management has seen cases from other companies where sensitive information has inadvertently been shared with the public. The interactivity of social media has raised concerns that even well-intentioned use could be risky, and usage by employees could be more of a personal rather than professional nature.<\/p>\r\n<p>[Criticism] For these reasons, we ask that you refrain from using social media while on the job.<\/p>\r\n<p>[Close] You are a great employee, and we sincerely value you and your hard work for the company.<\/p>\r\n<p>Best regards,<\/p>\r\n<p>Vivian Wesley<\/p>\r\n<p>VP Marketing<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<section class=\"textbox tryIt\">\r\n<p>[ohm2_question height=\"500\"]14844[\/ohm2_question]<\/p>\r\n<\/section>","rendered":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\">\n<ul>\n<li>Recognize the difference between various types of feedback used in business<\/li>\n<li>Understand how to write feedback messages for people outside your organization<\/li>\n<li>Understand how to write feedback messages for people inside your organization<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<h2>Feedback in the Workplace<\/h2>\n<p>Feedback is constructive information or suggestions provided with the intent of promoting growth and improvement. The words feedback and criticism are often used interchangeably. Criticism in the workplace is generally imagined as situations around a manager and a subordinate, but it is not limited to that. You can also give constructive feedback about the actions of colleagues, customers, or vendors.<\/p>\n<p>How do you write about issues in the workplace that are negative or need improvement? When putting feedback or criticism into writing, the technique will vary based on the situation\u2014who is giving the feedback and who or what is being criticized. Written feedback in the workplace may be approached in a direct versus indirect style, a constructive style, or an active versus passive voice style.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some examples of <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_532_3127\">active voice<\/a> versus <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_532_3128\">passive voice<\/a> style:<\/p>\n<section class=\"textbox example\">\n<p>Active voice: I cannot authorize your entertainment entries on your expense report.<\/p>\n<p>Passive voice: Entertainment entries are no longer covered in our expense policy.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Active voice: Company policy prevents us from offering direct deposit until employees have been on the job for 3 months.<\/p>\n<p>Passive voice: Direct deposit is offered only after employees have been on the job for 3 months.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<h3>Constructive Criticism<\/h3>\n<p>The goal of <strong>constructive criticism<\/strong> is to improve the behavior or the behavioral results of a person while consciously avoiding personal attacks and blaming. This kind of criticism is carefully framed in language acceptable to the target person, often acknowledging that the critics themselves could be wrong. Insulting and hostile language is avoided, and phrases are used such as, \u201cI feel\u2026\u201d and \u201cIt\u2019s my understanding that\u2026\u201d and so on. Constructive critics try to stand in the shoes of the person being criticized and consider what the situation would look like from their perspective.<\/p>\n<h3>Direct vs. Indirect Feedback<\/h3>\n<p>Direct and indirect written feedback differ in the order that the criticism, the reasons for the criticism, the <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_532_2341\">buffer<\/a>, and the close are organized in the message. Using the indirect style is best for reducing resentment and keeping employees open to receiving bad news constructively.<\/p>\n<p>Here is an example of direct-style written feedback:<\/p>\n<section class=\"textbox example\">\n<p>To: Soraya Turner<\/p>\n<p>From: Vivian Wesley<\/p>\n<p>Subject: Your Social Media Use At Work<\/p>\n<p>Dear Soraya,<\/p>\n<p>[Criticism] You must cease your social media use during business hours immediately.<\/p>\n<p>[Reasons] Company management believes that it is too great a risk to allow employees to use social media while on the job. They worry that you could compromise sensitive company information. At the very least, much time is being wasted online when productive work could be done.<\/p>\n<p>[Close] We appreciate your compliance.<\/p>\n<p>Best regards,<\/p>\n<p>Vivian Wesley<\/p>\n<p>VP Marketing<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>Here is an example of indirect-style written criticism:<\/p>\n<section class=\"textbox example\">\n<p>To: Soraya Turner<\/p>\n<p>From: Vivian Wesley<\/p>\n<p>Subject: Your Social Media Use At Work<\/p>\n<p>Dear Soraya,<\/p>\n<p>[Buffer] The company greatly appreciates the insights gained from your activity on social media. The information has been quite helpful in revising our future product plans.<\/p>\n<p>[Reasons] However, management has seen cases from other companies where sensitive information has inadvertently been shared with the public. The interactivity of social media has raised concerns that even well-intentioned use could be risky, and usage by employees could be more of a personal rather than professional nature.<\/p>\n<p>[Criticism] For these reasons, we ask that you refrain from using social media while on the job.<\/p>\n<p>[Close] You are a great employee, and we sincerely value you and your hard work for the company.<\/p>\n<p>Best regards,<\/p>\n<p>Vivian Wesley<\/p>\n<p>VP Marketing<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"textbox tryIt\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"ohm14844\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/ohm.one.lumenlearning.com\/multiembedq.php?id=14844&theme=lumen&iframe_resize_id=ohm14844&source=tnh&show_question_numbers\" width=\"100%\" height=\"500\"><\/iframe><br \/>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"glossary\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\" id=\"definition\">definition<\/span><template id=\"term_532_3127\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_532_3127\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>A sentence written in the form of \u201cA does B.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_532_3128\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_532_3128\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>A sentence written in the form of \u201cB is done by A.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_532_2341\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_532_2341\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>A buffer is an opening statement designed to prepare the reader for bad news, often by starting with neutral or positive information to soften the impact.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><\/div>","protected":false},"author":9,"menu_order":13,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"How Do You Write About Negative Things?\",\"author\":\"Robert Danielson\",\"organization\":\"Lumen Learning\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Giving and Receiving Criticism \",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"Boundless Communications\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/boundless-communications\/chapter\/giving-and-receiving-criticism\/\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by-sa\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"part":519,"module-header":"learn_it","content_attributions":[{"type":"original","description":"How Do You Write About Negative Things?","author":"Robert 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