Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? If you need to discuss upsetting or controversial problems with others, you should use e-mail or text message rather than use the telephone or voice-messaging.
A hundred years ago, we rely on word of mouth to convey messages and news. Thanks to modern communication technology, people nowadays get to enjoy various ways to keep in contact, such as E-mail and cell phones. But for upsetting or controversial problems, I would definitely choose ways like texting or E-mail to contact others.
Consider the awkward case of breaking up. If I chose to call him on the phone, he might freak out and hang up on me even before I could finish. Then the upsetting problem remains unsolved. However, if I try to write down my thoughts, I wouldn’t be interrupted. Besides, the written form is better organized and makes it easier to clear things up. When he gets the message, he could read it through and then realize my intention means no harm. And we can probably stay friends afterwards. So in order to avoid unpleasant arguing scenes, it is wiser to explain the issue in the written form.
Consider the decision-making process of college major. If I try to convince my surgeon dad that literature fits me better than meds, talking on the phone is not going to solve the problem. It is because he would be too stubborn to get tricked by a few lines on the phone. By contrast, I need to straighten up my arguments and list all the pros and cons. In this case a nicely organized E-mail would help me to win this discussion. Therefore, to avoid stuttering or chickening out on the phone, the written form gives me more time to think calmly.
Consider business negotiations. If I try to confer an upsetting issue with a client on the phone, courtesy issues need to be seriously taken into account. How to talk to a client on the phone? When is the right time to call? What am I supposed to do if he consults matters that I have no idea? However, things become much simple if I choose to write an E-mail. First I could ask colleagues for tips on business correspondence. Besides, unlike phone call, E-mail doesn’t interrupt meetings, so I don’t have to worry about bad timing. Lastly, I could note in the letter for further contact if he would have any problems. Therefore, the written from allows room for consideration and preparation. All in all, I think the written form is more effective when it comes to discussing upsetting or controversial matters.
