Revising a Memo for You -Attitude

· Looks at things from the reader's point of view. 


· Respects the reader's intelligence. 


· Protects the reader's ego. 


· Emphasizes what the reader wants to know. 


· You-attitude is a matter of style. Revisions for you- attitude do not change the basic meaning of the sen- tence. However, revising for you-attitude often makes sentences longer since sentences become more specific. 


· To create you-attitude in sentences, 


1. Talk about the reader, not about yourself.

2. Refer to the reader's request or order specifically.


3. Don't talk about feelings, except to congratulate or

offer sympathy.


4. In positive situations, use you more often than I. Use we when it includes the reader.

5. Avoid you in negative situations.

• Apply you-attitude beyond the sentence level by using organization, content, and layout as well as style to build goodwill.

Sample