There are four ways, and only four ways, in which we have contact with the world. We are evaluated and classified by these four contacts: what we do, how we look, what we say, and how we say it. Dale Carnegie |
A writing style is defined by a combination of rules.
Style can be informal (associated with peer-to-peer communications) or restrained (associated with formal documents)--Writing that Works 10e (page 273) and Handbook of Technical Writing (9e pages 513-15 or 10e pages 536-38).
In addition, the Handbook of Technical Writing indicates that, beyond a personal style, many kinds of writing have distinct stylistic traits, such as a technical writing style (defined on 9e page 521 or 10e page 544).
The A3 Thinking book defines the A3 style as a combination of specific elements: lists, visuals, brevity, conciseness, and directness (pages 105-106) applied in a specific format.
Particularly for social systems, it’s the perceptions, not the facts, that count. Eberhardt Rechtin |
The tone of your communication is defined by how the audience perceives and reacts to the communication.
Tone can be conversational, instructive, respectful, objective (professional), motivational (persuasive), authoritative, and so on.
The Handbook of Technical Writing (9e pages 533, 557, & 559 or 10e 556, 582, & 583) makes important points about tone and voice in writing effectively. "The word choice, the introduction, and even the title contribute to the overall tone of your document."
In my experience: The organization's culture is the framework against which all communications are evaluated.
My recommendation: Identify and understand the subcultures in your organization.
"Subgroup distinctions often occur along functional or occupational roles; geographical locations; product, market, or technology distinctions; and hierarchical levels." from Communication & Organizational Culture, edition 2, Keyton, Sage Publications, 2011, page 57
