Five Elements of a Real Apology

1. Expressing regret ('I am sorry')

2. Accepting responsibility ('I was wrong')

3. Making restitution ('What can I do to make it right?')

4. Genuinely repenting ('I'll strive not to do that again')

5. Requesting forgiveness ('Will you please forgive me?')

--Gary Chapman and Jennifer Thomas, The Five Languages of Apology (Mo0dy, 2008)