Be specific
Turn vague criticism or advice into one concrete point that can be acted on.
Serious advice · Ask permission
“Can you read my college essay? Be honest.”
Serious advice · Be specific
“Your notes are kind of impossible to follow.”
Serious advice · Preempt
“You're not going to cancel on me Saturday, are you?”
Humor · Be specific
“So, what do you do?”
Serious advice · Admit and explain
“This was due yesterday. What happened?”