Instead of: Do not fail to notify your supervisor in case of illness.
Use: Please notify your supervisor when you are ill.
Sometimes, however, negative language gives a clearer message:
Instead of:
Use plain white paper for in-office memos.
Use:
Do not use letterhead stationery for in-office memos.
It’s more friendly and information will be more readily accepted.
The Foot in Mouth award is given to the most baffling piece of communication. This year’s winner was a British politician who said: “I could not fail to disagree with you less.”