How To Create a Bulletproof Response

Start by writing a short, concise independent clause. This answer should contain the information portion of the effective response.

FOR EXAMPLE, A REPORTER MAY ASK
 

"Is the road safe to travel on?"

AN ANSWER MAY BE
 

"The road is safe."

Write another independent clause that aligns with the command message.

FOR EXAMPLE
 

"We are committed to ensuring ingress and egress via this road remains safe."

Create a single compound sentence using a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction, such as: 

• For
• And
• Nor
• But
• Or
• Yet
• So

You can remember these with the mnemonic: FANBOYS. 

FOR EXAMPLE
 

"The road is safe, and we are committed to ensuring ingress and egress via this road remains safe."

First, select a subordinating conjunction. There are many types, so you must pick a conjunction that matches the tone and logic of your message. Types of subordinating conjunctions include: 

• Neutral/parallel – Shows that two ideas can be true at the same time. Use when you want to link a fact to an ongoing commitment, without contradiction.
  • While
  • Although
  • Even though
  • Whereas
• Conditional/timing – Shows your message depends on the condition or timing of the information. Use when your message is based on whether or when something is true.
  • If
  • When
  • Unless
  • Until
  • Before
  • After
  • As long as
  • Whenever
• Causal (reason) – Links the message to the information. Use when your commitment or action stems directly from the fact you’ve stated.
  • Because
  • Since
  • As
• Contrast (use sparingly) – Shows your message goes against the expectation set by the information. Use when the second clause contradicts or defies the first.
  • Despite
  • In spite of

After you have selected your subordinating coordinating conjunction: 

• Add the subordinating conjunction to the first clause. 
• Make sure the clause is dependent (can’t stand alone); this means it lacks a subject or predicate.
• Replace repeated subjects with pronouns to avoid redundancy.

The subordinating conjunction makes the first half of the compound sentence (the information) unable to stand on its own; it becomes more difficult for a reporter to quote the clause without the second half of the sentence (the message).

FOR EXAMPLE
 

"While the road is safe, we are committed to ensuring ingress and egress on it remains so."

Remember, a pronoun refers to the antecedent. Switch so that all pronouns are in the information clause and all antecedents are in the command message clause. This means the reporter must keep the command message when quoting the spokesperson to be clear about the subject. This process is not foolproof, and reporters can still paraphrase or partially quote, but concise wording makes paraphrasing difficult. The compound sentence structure leaves too few keywords for a partial quote, tangling information and message into a strong, unified, effective response.

FOR EXAMPLE
 

"Despite it being safe, we are committed to ensuring ingress and egress via the road remains so."