Written Tone Traps

These common mistakes change your intended tone in writing:

• ALL CAPS reads as shouting; never use it for emphasis
• Short, clipped sentences can sound cold or angry: "Fine." "Ok."
• One-word replies like "Sure" or "Noted" can feel dismissive without a softening word
• Ellipses (...) imply hesitation, disappointment, or passive aggression
• No greeting in an email feels abrupt; even a simple "Hi" softens it

The safest strategy is to mirror your reader. If they open with "Hey," you open with "Hey." If they use exclamation marks, you can too.