To remind yourself of the appropriate business tone, ask yourself the following questions as you write:
- Does the message in this document come across as confident?
- Are there any places where the message sounds insecure?
- Is the message positive?
- Does the message emphasize benefits to the reader?
- Does the message sound courteous?
- Does the message sound condescending or stuffy?
- Is the tone consistent throughout the message?
- Have you taken the role of your reader into consideration?
- Have you used a formal tone if you are writing to someone outside the organization?
- Have you considered using a more informal or conversational tone if you are writing to a colleague?
- Are you addressing a subordinate? If so, would using an authoritative tone be more appropriate?
- Have you used an economical or direct tone if writing to a senior manager or executive?