6.4 Avoid telling your reader what he or she thinks
No one raises ire faster than the presumptuous 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.
==>Guidelines ==>Tone