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6.4 Avoid telling your reader what he or she thinks

No one raises ire faster than a writer the presumption of the writer who goes beyond his or her certain knowledge. For instance, an auditor might fairly write, "The Manager of X-Department reported that a petty cash procedure was unnecessary." This sentence concerns verifiable facts; the writer is not presuming to be in that manager's mind. To cause a negative reaction, just write the following: "The Manager of X-Department thinks that a petty cash procedure is unnecessary." The meaning shift is only slight, but people bridle when being told what they think.

Even such a matter-of-fact statement as "Now, George, you believe . . ." may get you a painful reaction if the hearer or reader is feeling defensive.

 

Courtesy of John Mercer Associates, www.MercerWriting.com

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