Answer:
a. encoding
Step-by-step explanation:
Communication involves a party encoding a message, transmitting a message, another party receiving the message and decoding the message.
Encoding means packaging the message in such a way that the receiver is able to decode it and similarly send a message back to the sender.
Here, Fred has composed his message but is thinking of how to package it in a form that will be reciprocated in a positive way from his significant other.
Hence, the question here refers to encoding.