How to refuse a request? Why indirectness is necessary for bad news?

To refuse a request

(i) Begin with a pleasant or neutral statement that relates to the receiver.

(ii) Give at least one reason for the refusal.

(iii) Imply or state the refusal.

(iv) Offer a helpful solution or suggestion.

(v) End positively without reference to the refusal.

Indirectness is necessary for bad news: Indirectness is often used in our daily communication as a major communicative skill to keep a harmonious interpersonal relation. Various motives if indirectness includes politeness, self-protection, humor, rejection or denial, etc.

Read the following:

-         “Frankly, I think you are boring”

-         “I’m terribly sorry, I’ve to leave you alone now”

According to Searle (l975) indirectness is defined as “those cases in which one illocutionary act is performed indirectly by ways of performing another”

In simple terms - indirectness is the means through which one meaning is conveyed indirectly through verbal or non verbal behaviors to achieve a certain goal, or the means in which one’s intent is revealed in a roundabout way