Politeness theory would rank which of the following as the most face-threatening?
A)Bluntly communicating a negative message.
B)Delivering the negative message but offering a counter-explanation as well.
C)Delivering the negative message but doing so in an indirect way.
D)Delivering the negative message with a positive message.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Bluntly communicating a negative message without any attempt to mitigate the potential threat to the recipient's face is considered the most face-threatening according to politeness theory. This can result in the recipient feeling embarrassed, humiliated or insulted.

Politeness Theory Would Rank Which of the Following as the Most