WRITING STYLE



WRITING STYLE

Use

Effect

Characteristics

Formal

Controversial or complex

reports (especially to outsiders

Impression of objectivity, accuracy, professionalism, fairness

Distance created between writer and reader

Absence of first-person pronouns; use of third person (the consultant, the CFO, the committee)

Absence of contractions (can’t, don’t)

Use of passive-voice verbs (the problem was investigated)

Complex sentences; long words

Absence of humor and figures of speech

Reduced use of colorful adjectives and adverbs

Elimination of “editorializing (writer’s opinions, perceptions)

Informal

Short, routine reports for

Company insiders

Noncontroversial reports

Feeling of warmth, personal involvement, closeness

Use of first- person pronouns (I, we, me, my, us, our)

Use of contractions

Emphasis on active-voice verbs (I investigated the issue)

Shorter sentences; familiar words

Occasional use of humor, metaphors

Occasional use of colorful speech

Acceptance of writer’s opinions and ideas

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