In a bad-news message, a buffer refers to an opening that identifies the subject of the message but does not indicate overtly that negative news is coming.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A buffer is used to soften the blow of a negative message by starting with something positive or neutral before delivering the bad news. It is meant to prepare the recipient for the negative message without causing too much shock or anxiety.

In a Bad-News Message, a Buffer Refers to an Opening