Abstract
Directness and indirectness are important aspects of written business communication because the way requests are expressed can influence clarity, politeness, and professional relationships. This study aims to analyze how directness and indirectness are realized in written business requests, identify the linguistic features that distinguish the two strategies, examine the factors influencing their use, and understand their effects on communication effectiveness. This study employs a qualitative descriptive research design. The data consist of written business communication in WhatsApp messages containing direct and indirect request expressions. The data were collected using a documentation method and analyzed by identifying, classifying, and interpreting the request expressions based on their linguistic features, context, and pragmatic functions. The analysis was supported by the theories of Newnam and Goode (2019), Joyce (2012), and Berrios et al. (2025). The findings show that directness is realized through informative statements, motivational expressions, formal announcements, declarative statements, and permission statements, while indirectness is realized through question forms, elliptical statements, politeness markers, indirect reminders, and implied requests. The use of these strategies is influenced by urgency, workplace hierarchy, professional politeness, social distance, and the communication platform. Directness contributes to clarity, efficiency, and faster task completion, whereas indirectness helps maintain politeness, reduce potential conflict, and preserve professional relationships. Therefore, effective written business communication requires an appropriate balance between directness and indirectness according to the context, purpose, and interpersonal relationships involved.
Keywords
directness, indirectness, business communication, written requests, communication effectiveness
Conference Certificate
Open Certificate
Certificate No. PPAVI-2026-10F7242B
Certificate
of Presentation
This certificate is formally awarded to:
Stefania, Li. Magpika Handayani
for presenting the paper entitled:
Direct and Indirect Request Strategies in WhatsApp-Based Business Communication: Linguistic Realizations and Contextual Factors
PPAVI-2026-10F7242B / Oral
The 1st PPAVI Student Research and Vocational Conference 2026
16 Oct 2026
- 31 Oct 2026
Business Transformation, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Economy
Sustainable entrepreneurship
RD. Dr. Antonius Ary Setyawan, S.S., M.A, M.M.
Ketua Pengurus PPAVI
Romanus Edy Prabowo, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D.
Ketua Panitia