3.0. Planning and organizing

Introduction Paragraph 1 reason for writing Main Body Paragraph 2- 3 reasons to explain the inconvenience caused Conclusion Final Paragraph express understanding/ regret or promise to make up for the situation Closing remarks full name

0. 3.1. How to say I’m Sorry

In order to understand how to say I’m sorry and have it be an effective apology, we need to know what kind of statements to include when apologizing. How does one person make someone else understand that they truly are sorry?

Apologizing is both an Art and a Science. The art being the manner in which the apology is delivered while the Science is the recipe that forms the apology itself. Here is the ingredient list that when combined produces the perfect apology. A proper apology should always include the following:

• a detailed account of the situation

• acknowledgement of the hurt or damage done

• taking responsibility for the situation

• recognition of your role in the event

• a statement of regret

• asking for forgiveness

• a promise that it won’t happen again

• a form of restitution whenever possible

Now let’s take a closer look at each of these ingredients and learn how to say I’m sorry in the most effective way.

By giving a detailed account of the offence, you are making sure that both you and the other person are talking about the same thing. It also legitimizes the feelings of the recipient by having the person who caused the offence recount the situation.

Keep in mind that you should be as specific as possible and your apology should be focused on the particular event(s), don’t apologize for your general absentmindedness but instead for missing that specific date.

Next, by acknowledging the hurt or damage done, you are validating their feelings and the recipient begins to sense that you understand the situation. This is important to rebuilding your relationship because it legitimizes their reaction, even if others in the same situation may have reacted differently.

Taking responsibility and recognizing your role in the situation without offering excuses is important to letting them know that you understand that the event and your actions did cause them harm.

Don’t try to defend yourself or justify the situation or your actions. The apology is all about THEM and how they feel. It doesn’t matter if the actions were intentional or not, the end result is the same and that is what needs to be focused on when learning how to say I’m sorry.

Including a statement of regret such as “I apologize” or “I’m sorry” along with a promise that it won’t happen again are important to rebuilding the relationship and are key ingredients to any apology.

Finally, asking for forgiveness at the end of the apology gives the ‘power’ back to the recipient. It tells them, that you have done all that you can do by apologizing and providing whatever form of restitution you can. The next move is up to them.

By carefully including all of these ingredients and applying them to your situation you will know exactly how to say I’m sorry, the next time you need to apologize.

(http://www.perfectapology.com/how-to-say-im-sorry.html)