TABLE OF CONTENTS Writing simple, clear communications which read well will do a lot to improve our reputation for communicating well but, as I mentioned at the beginning of this part of the workbook, we may still feel that what we write has a rather cold and impersonal tone and is excessively formal. So how can we get round that problem?
Let's look at a few simple techniques we could use to lighten the tone.
Look at this pair of sentences.
'Every effort will be made.'
'We shall make every effort.'
In the first sentence the emphasis is on the effort it is impersonal. In the second sentence the emphasis is spread between 'we' and 'effort' so we learn from that sentence what is being made ('every effort') and who is making it ('we'). It is more personal.
Sometimes, of course, we want to emphasize a thing rather than a person but, as a general rule, if you write in the impersonal way for any length of time, you create a rather cold, remote effect, which doesn't give a very favourable impression.
3 mins
Here are two more sentences written in a similar way to the one we've just looked at. Rewrite each sentence so that the emphasis is on the person as much as on the thing.
Enquiries will be dealt with by Marilyn Smith.
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Your application has been received by the Personnel Officer.
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