Media concept: «What to Say?»
«What should I say?”—a practical media resource for conversations you want to postpone: with a manager, neighbors, friends, relatives, or a partner. The project helps you prepare for a specific situation: define the goal of the conversation, choose an opening line, and plan responses to potential objections. The media’s goal is to help the reader speak more confidently about their needs, set boundaries, and discuss uncomfortable topics, thereby reducing tension in communication. Each analysis provides phrasing that can be adapted to your own speaking style and relationship with the person you are talking to.
Relevance
Students and emerging professionals encounter situations where they need to advocate for their interests while preserving relationships: declining extra work, negotiating with neighbors, discussing an issue with a landlord, or setting boundaries in personal interactions. Even if a person knows what they want, they may not know how to phrase it. As a result, an important conversation is postponed, a request remains unstated, or a discussion devolves into an argument. The media outlet «What to Say?» addresses this need by offering ready-made formulations and dialogue scenarios that help prepare for a conversation. Providing several options for responses allows users to choose an appropriate tone, and example rebuttals help plan the subsequent interaction.
Target Audience
The primary audience includes students and early-career professionals. They are united by situations in which they must advocate for their own interests while simultaneously maintaining relationships. Students Negotiating with dorm neighbors, distributing tasks within a study group, and communicating with professors. Early-Career Professionals Discussing workload, deadlines, salary, and feedback. Young Adults Renting Housing Resolving domestic issues with neighbors and landlords. Individuals Who Find It Difficult to Say No to Loved Ones Learning to discuss personal space, finances, and uncomfortable requests. These groups can overlap—one reader may encounter several types of conversations at once.
Six-Month Thematic Plan
Each month is dedicated to a specific sphere of communication and includes four main topics—one for each week. Throughout the week, the topic is explored in several formats: an in-depth analysis, a brief publication with key takeaways, and interactive material for the audience.
Content Samples
All content consists of Telegram channel posts.
Sample 1. Conversation with a Neighbor
Series: «Step-by-Step Dialogue»
Topic: How to ask your neighbor to keep the noise down at night.
Objective: To phrase a request and agree upon quiet hours.
Example 2. Additional Task at Work
Rubric: «Step-by-Step Conversation»
Topic: How to discuss a new assignment when completely booked.
Task: Clarify priorities and agree on realistic timelines.
Example 3. Message to Landlord
Section: «Step-by-Step Conversation»
Topic: How to revisit a delayed repair issue.
Objective: To secure a specific date and confirm the agreement.
Example 4. Declining a Loan
Category: «Three Ways to Say It»
Topic: How to refuse a friend’s request for money.
Goal: Clearly state the decision and respond to any attempt to link the refusal to a lack of trust.
Example 5. Group Project
Topic: «Conversations Step-by-Step»
Subject: How to speak with a group member who hasn’t prepared their part.
Goal: To clarify responsibilities and set deadlines for everyone.
Sample 6. Salary Increase Category: «Step-by-Step Conversation» Topic: How to start a discussion about salary review. Goal: To schedule a specific discussion and agree on the criteria for future decisions.
Example 7. Personal questions about relatives Topic: «Three ways to say it» Subject: How to signal an unwillingness to discuss personal plans. Goal: To establish and maintain a boundary if inquiries persist.
Example 8. Clarifying the Assignment
Category: «Rephrasing»
Topic: How to ask a specific question about a confusing assignment.
Task: Replace self-deprecation or accusation with a clear inquiry.
Example 9. Responding to Persistence
Category: «What to Say?»
Topic: How to keep a refusal for a meeting when a friend keeps persuading you.
Objective: To compare response options and determine which one most clearly conveys the decision.
