Tone Description Example Frozen Formulaic, impersonal, Dear Honorable Mr. X: archaic, bureaucratic, As per the request received distancing, cold by this office as of [date], please find enclosed the information pertinent to the XYZs. Formal Professional, businesslike, Dear Mr. X: polite, diplomatic As you requested on [date], we have enclosed the information concerning the XYZs. Informal Friendly, engaging, Dear Joe, conversational; also polite Here is the information on and businesslike (especially the XYZs you asked for. between colleagues) Casual Friendly, engaging, Hi Joe— conversational; often Good news! Here are the incorporates slang and XYZs you wanted. writing practices; may be used in certain business situations Intimate Chatty, slangy, even Hey big guy— frivolous, not appropriate Here you go, pal—the for business situations XYZs. Tough luck for the ol’ gang, huh?
Tone Description Example Frozen Formulaic, impersonal, archaic, bureaucratic, distancing, cold Dear Honorable Mr. X: As per the request received by this office as of [date], please find enclosed the information pertinent to the XYZs. Formal Professional, businesslike, polite, diplomatic Dear Mr. X: As you requested on [date], we have enclosed the information concerning the XYZs. Informal Friendly, engaging, conversational; also polite and businesslike (especially between colleagues) Dear Joe, Here is the information on the XYZs you asked for. Casual Friendly, engaging, conversational; often incorporates slang and writing practices; may be used in certain business situations Hi Joe— Good news! Here are the XYZs you wanted. Intimate Chatty, slangy, even frivolous, not appropriate for business situations Hey big guy— Here you go, pal—the XYZs. Tough luck for the ol’ gang, huh?