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6.7 Write to the TO: line, not to the copy list

Nothing harms tone more subtly or more often in business writing than writers' inattention to their primary readers, those on the TO: line in memos or the Dear: line in letters. If you find yourself writing to those on your copy list rather than to your main reader, readdress your writing to those on the copy list. Sometimes, because of this potential tone problem, a separate memo, e-mail, or letter is unavoidable.

In writing directly to someone, you do your main courtesy by paying attention only to him or her. Whatever information you need to get across to a person on the copy list must be put in such a way that it sounds as if it were to the main reader.

 

Courtesy of John Mercer Associates, www.MercerWriting.com

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