Communication style is the way a person presents a message and interacts with an audience. It includes how directly someone makes a request, how much detail they give, and how they respond to other people. In conversation, pauses and gestures can also shape how the message comes across.
One request, two ways
- Direct request. Please send me the agenda by Thursday so I can prepare for Friday’s meeting. The request and the reason appear in one sentence.
- Negotiable request. Would Thursday work for sending the agenda? I’d like to read it before Friday’s meeting. The question invites the recipient to propose another time.
Adapt your style to the situation
Use a clear deadline when others need to plan around it. Leave room for an answer when the timing is flexible. The same request can use a friendly tone in either version. Your choice of register also depends on who will receive it and where they’ll read or hear it.
