Breaking bad news can be tricky, so let's practice it. Read the following scenario, then write out a response. You can consider:

• Your relationship to the audience.
• Your purpose.
• Whether to use a direct or indirect approach.
• What details the audience needs to know.
• What tone to use.
• What genre to use.

Here's the scenario:

You are on a committee that decides who should receive a prestigious $10,000 scholarship named the Scholars of Tomorrow award. This year, there were two outstanding candidates and the committee argued for hours about who should win the scholarship. Both had high grades and an amazing service record. Eventually, the committee reached its decision. Usually, those who are not successful receive a form rejection letter, but because you were so impressed by the candidate, (whose name is Sachin), you want to break the bad news by writing a personalized email.

Your goal is to break the bad news to Sachin while still letting him know how close the decision was and how impressed you were by his application. You also want to suggest that he apply for two other scholarships: The Student of the Year Award and the School of Business Distinguished Scholar award.

Write your email below. Feel free to make up details (like what kind of volunteer work Sachin has done). When you submit your response, you'll be able to see another possible response.