Chapter 14. Avoid Wimp-Speak

As George Eliot said in Middlemarch: “Might, could, would—they are contemptible auxiliaries.” Readers respond to clear, direct language. Tell them in specific language what you will do or what you want them to do.

Wimp-Speak	Power-Speak
“I feel that…”	“I think that…”
“I believe that…”	“I am confident that…”
“I’ll try to…”	“I will…” or “I’ll…”
“…should be done”	“Please do…”
“Action should be taken to…”	“Let’s take action to…”
“…must be submitted”	“Please submit by…”
“Forms should go to HR.”	“Please send the forms to HR.”
“This should be discussed…”	“Let’s discuss this Thursday over lunch.”