In professional writing, tone is as essential as content. Because how you approach a topic impacts the reader, maintaining an appropriate and professional tone in writing is vital. Dana Driscoll , author of “ Tone in Business Writing ,” says, “The tone of a message is a reflection of the writer and it does affect how the reader will perceive the message.” The article asks writers to develop the professional tone in their writing by asking the following questions before they write.
- Why am I writing this document?
- Who am I writing to and what do I want them to understand?
Driscoll notes, “A competent writer will match the needs and abilities of [his/her] reader and find the most effective way to communicate with a particular reader.” An important factor in ensuring reader understanding is to write from the reader’s perspective.
- What kind of tone should I use?
After determining purpose and audience, use a confident and sincere writing tone to attract and keep your reader’s attention. “You can feel confident if you have carefully prepared and are knowledgeable about the material you wish to express,” Driscoll says, adding, “It is important to strive for sincerity in tone because without sincerity, politeness can sound condescending.” Because your readers may not know you, creating a sincere and honest presence is crucial.
Managing tone can be difficult but, with practice, you can enhance your professional tone in writing and increase your credibility. If you need help creating a professional tone, contact us for information about our customized onsite workshops or enroll in one of our various online courses .
Is your team’s writing costing you time and money? We can fix that!
Our team courses teach expert level writing strategies to transform their writing in no time.
Explore Courses