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\r\n\r\nStyle is what sets a communicator apart. Style is the way you dress writing up or down to fit the specific context, purpose, content, and audience. Your level of formality, tone and voice, and word choice all contribute to your style in a communication. How you choose words and structure sentences to achieve a certain effect creates a certain style in the writing. For example, compare the following two sentences in terms of style:\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n It has been concluded, then, from individual and collective consultation with all departments, that XYZ corporation would benefit from outsourcing staff training in communications.<\/span><\/p>\r\nAll departments agree that outsourcing staff training in communications is cost- and time-effective.<\/blockquote>\r\n The first example is both more formal and impersonal in style (e.g. you don't exactly know who came to this conclusion).\u00a0 It's also lengthier and less specific than the second example, since specific benefits are not mentioned.\u00a0 It might be appropriate if the writer does not want to specify those benefits for some reason, and\/or does not want to assign responsibility to specific persons or groups making the recommendation. The second example is more specific, personal, and direct. It might be appropriate if the writer wants to identify particular benefits and responsibility.\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\nIf you don't know what particular style to use, then realize that the first example is not<\/em> generally the preferred style. Always err on the side of the second example's style for most business communications: simple, specific, direct, and active.<\/em><\/strong>\r\n Word choice also helps to create style. Most communicators strive to be concise. precise, and plain, weeding out unnecessary and overly-embellished words and choosing the exact words to convey meaning. Precise words\u2014active verbs, concrete nouns, specific adjectives\u2014help your readers understand your sentences. No matter what style is appropriate, formal or informal, serious or humorous, clarity, precision, and plainness are goals to strive for in terms of style for professional communications, especially in Western cultures.\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n Style is what sets a communicator apart. Style is the way you dress writing up or down to fit the specific context, purpose, content, and audience. Your level of formality, tone and voice, and word choice all contribute to your style in a communication. How you choose words and structure sentences to achieve a certain effect creates a certain style in the writing. For example, compare the following two sentences in terms of style: <\/p>\n It has been concluded, then, from individual and collective consultation with all departments, that XYZ corporation would benefit from outsourcing staff training in communications.<\/span><\/p>\n All departments agree that outsourcing staff training in communications is cost- and time-effective.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The first example is both more formal and impersonal in style (e.g. you don’t exactly know who came to this conclusion).\u00a0 It’s also lengthier and less specific than the second example, since specific benefits are not mentioned.\u00a0 It might be appropriate if the writer does not want to specify those benefits for some reason, and\/or does not want to assign responsibility to specific persons or groups making the recommendation. The second example is more specific, personal, and direct. It might be appropriate if the writer wants to identify particular benefits and responsibility. If you don’t know what particular style to use, then realize that the first example is not<\/em> generally the preferred style. Always err on the side of the second example’s style for most business communications: simple, specific, direct, and active.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Note the level of formality of your words.\u00a0 The first example above is more formal, using “concluded” and “consultation” instead of just saying “agreed.”\u00a0 Most business communications in the U.S. use a relatively informal style.\u00a0 This does<\/em> not<\/em> mean that you can use slang or embellishments, or write as you would speak to a friend.\u00a0 Informal professional style does<\/em> mean that you use clear language precisely, without extra words or embellishments, to offer your point directly.<\/p>\n There was a time when many business documents were written in third person to give them the impression of objectivity. This formal style was often passive and wordy. Today it has given way to active, clear, concise writing, sometimes known as \u201cPlain English\u201d (Bailey, 2008). As business and industry increasingly trade across borders and languages, writing techniques that obscure meaning or impede understanding can cause serious problems. Efficient, relatively informal professional writing styles have become the norm.<\/p>\n To determine if you have a successful style, ask the question: is it professional? If a document is too emphatic, it may seem like an attempt at manipulation. If it uses too much jargon or technical language, it may be appropriate for people with technical expertise but may limit access to the information by a nontechnical audience. If the document appears too simplistic, it may seem to be \u201ctalking down\u201d to the audience, assuming that your audience has very limited professional knowledge and\/or capacity for that knowledge. Does your document represent you and your organization in a professional manner? Will you be proud of the work a year from now? Does it accomplish its mission and stated objectives, and does it fulfill the audience\u2019s needs and expectations? Business writing is not expository, wordy, or decorative, and the presence of these traits may obscure meaning. Business writing is professional, respectful, and clear, communicating a message with precision.<\/p>\n Tone deals with your overall attitude toward the information you’re communicating.\u00a0 For most business communications, strive for a professional, engaged, serious tone.\u00a0 Note that serious does not<\/em> mean ponderous – it simply means that you should use neutral language that’s clear and direct.\u00a0 Purdue University has an informative handout on Tone in Business Writing<\/a>, which includes explanations and examples.<\/p>\n Consider the following lines from business emails. How would you describe the tone of each entry? What words, phrases, or other elements suggest that tone?<\/p>\n Whether in a workplace or in our personal lives, most of us have received emails that we\u2019ve found off-putting, inappropriate, or, at a minimum, curt. Striking the right tone and being diplomatic, particularly in business communication, can mean the difference between offending your reader and building important professional relationships. And more immediately, it can mean the difference between getting what you want and being ignored.<\/p>\n As with any piece of writing,\u00a0considering audience,\u00a0purpose,\u00a0and type of information is key to constructing business communication. Truly finessing your writing so that it works\u00a0for<\/em>\u00a0you, rather than against you, is key to forming strong professional relationships and being effective in your own position.<\/p>\n Attribution:<\/strong>\u00a0The above material is taken from\u00a0Diplomacy, Tone, and Emphasis in Business Writing<\/a>\u00a0in the\u00a0Writing Commons<\/a>\u00a0and is used under a\u00a0CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0 Unported license<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Voice reveals your personality. Your voice can be impersonal or personal, authoritative or reflective, objective or passionate, serious or funny.\u00a0 As you consider style when you revise, identify an adjective that you think best describes your voice, and ask yourself if this is appropriate for your writing context, purpose, and audience.<\/span><\/p>\n Although the following video is relatively lengthy, it offers excellent information and examples on aspects of tone and voice:<\/p>\n\r\n
Elements of Style in Business Communications<\/h2>\r\n
Formal \/ Informal Styles<\/h3>\r\nNote the level of formality of your words.\u00a0 The first example above is more formal, using \"concluded\" and \"consultation\" instead of just saying \"agreed.\"\u00a0 Most business communications in the U.S. use a relatively informal style.\u00a0 This does<\/em> not<\/em> mean that you can use slang or embellishments, or write as you would speak to a friend.\u00a0 Informal professional style does<\/em> mean that you use clear language precisely, without extra words or embellishments, to offer your point directly.\r\n\r\n
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\r\n\r\nThere was a time when many business documents were written in third person to give them the impression of objectivity. This formal style was often passive and wordy. Today it has given way to active, clear, concise writing, sometimes known as \u201cPlain English\u201d (Bailey, 2008). As business and industry increasingly trade across borders and languages, writing techniques that obscure meaning or impede understanding can cause serious problems. Efficient, relatively informal professional writing styles have become the norm.\r\n\r\nTo determine if you have a successful style, ask the question: is it professional? If a document is too emphatic, it may seem like an attempt at manipulation. If it uses too much jargon or technical language, it may be appropriate for people with technical expertise but may limit access to the information by a nontechnical audience. If the document appears too simplistic, it may seem to be \u201ctalking down\u201d to the audience, assuming that your audience has very limited professional knowledge and\/or capacity for that knowledge. Does your document represent you and your organization in a professional manner? Will you be proud of the work a year from now? Does it accomplish its mission and stated objectives, and does it fulfill the audience\u2019s needs and expectations? Business writing is not expository, wordy, or decorative, and the presence of these traits may obscure meaning. Business writing is professional, respectful, and clear, communicating a message with precision.\r\nTone & Voice<\/h3>\r\nTone deals with your overall attitude toward the information you're communicating.\u00a0 For most business communications, strive for a professional, engaged, serious tone.\u00a0 Note that serious does not<\/em> mean ponderous - it simply means that you should use neutral language that's clear and direct.\u00a0 Purdue University has an informative handout on Tone in Business Writing<\/a>, which includes explanations and examples.\r\n
\r\nTry It<\/h3>\r\nConsider the following lines from business emails. How would you describe the tone of each entry? What words, phrases, or other elements suggest that tone?\r\n
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Word Choice<\/span><\/h3>\r\n
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\r\n\r\nTry It<\/h3>\r\nWhich statement is easier to understand?<\/em>\r\n
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How can you consider style consciously?<\/h3>\r\nOne method is to read your communication out loud, preferably to another person. Better yet, have another person read your draft to you. Note how that person interprets your words. Do they\u00a0come across as you originally meant them to? If not, revise.\r\n\r\nAnother method is to simply ignore your draft communication for a few days, and then read it carefully as though you were reading another professional's work for the first time.\u00a0 Planning some time between drafting and revising helps with all stages of the revising process, including style.\r\n\r\nThe following video offers a variety of style tips.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=sFsW3TVf7nc\r\n\r\n\u00a0<\/span>","rendered":"
Style Definition<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\nElements of Style in Business Communications<\/h2>\n
Formal \/ Informal Styles<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nTone & Voice<\/h3>\n
\nTry It<\/h3>\n
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