Tone (Video)

The following video explores the appropriate use of tone in professional writing:

Tips on Academic Voice

When using the academic voice you won’t usually use first personal pronouns.

Instead of:

I think anyone who becomes a parent should have to take a parenting class.

Write:

Parenting classes should be mandatory for any biological or adoptive parents.

NOTE: There are exceptions for certain types of writing assignments.

Avoid using second person pronouns.

Instead of:

When you read “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” you will realize that King was writing to people besides the ministers who criticized him.

Write:

Upon reading “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” readers will note that King was addressing a wider audience than the clergy who condemned his actions.

Avoid contractions in more formal writing.

Instead of:

It shouldn’t be difficult to record what we feel, but many of us just can’t get our feelings down on paper.

Write:

It should not be difficult to record feelings, but many people are unable to do so.

Avoid informal language.

Instead of:

It’s obvious that she’s a feminist because she makes a big deal about women who were into the suffrage movement.

Write:

Because of her focus on the suffragists, one can assume she is a feminist.

Abbreviations for common terms should not be used in academic writing

Instead of:

Smith was declared the official winner at the P.O. last Mon. on Jan. 6th.

Write:

Smith was declared the official winner at the post office last Monday, on January 6.

Sources:

“Tips on Academic Voice.” By Excelsior Online Writing Lab. Retrieved from: https://owl.excelsior.edu/writing-process/finding-your-voice/finding-your-voice-tips-on-academic-voice/ Licensed under: CC-BY

“Tutorial on Style in Professional Writing: Tone.” By ProsWrite. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoWfy5Tik4E Licensed under: CC-BY