Lewis S Eisen

Sample #16: Writing SMS Messages

SMS messages are always tricky because of the character limit. You try to strike a balance between brevity and clarity,...
Samples

Sample #17: Directive vs Descriptive Approach

One way to improve the tone of voice of your instructions is to switch from a directive approach to a...
Samples

Sample #18: Software Instructions

Software instructions have a tone of voice, too. Here's an example from a popular anti-virus software package. A notification starts...
Samples

No Need to Word Your Corporate Policies More Harshly than the Penal Code

I often come across policies that read something like this: "Employees must answer every question before submitting request forms. Incomplete...
Clear Writing / Respectful Writing

Results of a Review of the Verb Tenses used in US State Penal Laws

Methodology These are the results of a review in October 2021 of the language used in criminal legislation. It surveyed...
Policy Enforcement

Rethinking Acceptable Use Policies

A staple of many Information Technology (IT) policy suites is the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), intended to govern what people...
Policy Enforcement

Antiquated Policy Wording: The Problem with “Should”

This is the final article of a four-part series on drafting requirements in corporate policies, looking at the problems of...
Clear Writing / Respectful Writing

Antiquated Policy Wording: The Problem with “May”

This is the third article of a four-part series on drafting requirements in corporate policies, looking at the problems of...
Clear Writing / Respectful Writing

Antiquated Policy Wording: The Problem with “Must”

This is the second article of a four-part series on drafting requirements in corporate policies, looking at the problems of...
Clear Writing / Respectful Writing

Antiquated Policy Wording: “Must,” “May,” and “Should”

This is the first article of a four-part series on drafting requirements in corporate policies, looking at the problems of...
Clear Writing / Respectful Writing

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