This show is called Grammar Girls Quicken Dirty Tips for Better Writing, and today we're

going to focus on that better writing part with a show about how to write a better complaint

letter.

If you usually start your letters of complaint with Dear Stupid Head and end them with

threateningly yours, they may not be as effective as you'd like.

In fact, it's probably time to reconsider your tactics when you want to complain about

something.

One interesting approach is to think about it as a negotiation.

When you sit down to write a letter to a company complaining that the toaster they sold

you exploded and singed off your eyebrows, or whatever it is your upset about, you've

initiated a conflict.

Thoughtful negotiation is widely recognized as an appropriate way to deal with a conflict

between parties.

One of the most recognized books on negotiation is Getting to Yes by Roger Fishman and William

Erie of the Harvard Negotiation Project.

Fisher and Erie propose a simple four-step model for negotiation.

Step 1.

Separate the people from the problem.

Step 2.

Focus on interests rather than positions.

Step 3.

Invent options for mutual gain.

...