Real-Life Communication
You made a big mistake. In a recent article for the Yarnville Record
newspaper, you charged that professional hockey star Jade O'Baba was using
anabolic steroids. Unfortunately, the piece made it through the editing stage
with the fact unchecked. Now, there is a huge uproar in the sports community.
"I
smell a rat," said professional hockey league president Werner Wiener in a
press conference from Toronto this morning, "or at the very least, a very
poor sportswriter. There is no excuse for this kind of stuff. I talked to
Mr. O'Baba over the phone earlier this morning, and he let me know that he
might be looking to press charges. I, for one, support him."
You could
be in very big trouble. Jade O'Baba, as it turns out, was not using illegal
performance-enhancing drugs. Rather, he has been on a drug called Muckodryl
to keep his epilepsy at bay. Boy, do you have egg on your face!
The
editor-in-chief has you in his office for a meeting. "My friend," he begins,
"I don't know where you got that steroids thing but, as we now know, it was
untrue. I feel bad for you, really I do. But we have to do something about
this. If O'Baba sues, we'll be out of business. I think you should put a written
apology in tomorrow's paper."
"Yes, sir," you mutter as you skulk out
of the office.
So, how are you going to approach this letter? Remember
these three facts:
- You accused Jade O'Baba of using illegal anabolic steroids. Those are
drugs that would transform him from a good player to a great player.
- The untruth was left unchecked. It went through the whole editing process
without a peep.
- O'Baba is actually using Muckodryl, a prescription drug that serves to
keep his epilepsy at bay. O'Baba has had epilepsy since the age of seven.