Positive Emphasis

READER-CENTERED WRITING

Create Positive Emphasis

Can’t ⇒ Can

Focus on what the reader can do rather than on limitations. Instead of telling the reader what they CANNOT do, tell them what they CAN do.

Instead of:	Revise to:
You can’t use the TV studio to record your presentations without making an appointment.	Make an appointment at least 48 hours in advance to ensure availability of the TV studio for your presentations.
You are unable to file for an exemption until the fall.	You may file for an exemption in the fall.
It will be impossible to open an account for you until you send us your signature card.	Your account will be open as soon as you send us your signature card.
Majors in the Colleges of Engineering and Business are unable to apply for literary study abroad opportunities.	Majors in the Colleges of Arts & Letters can apply for literary study abroad opportunities.
Because you are under age 65, you cannot apply for retirement benefits.	People age 65 and older may apply for retirement benefits.

The same thing applies when you’re writing about yourself or your organization. Tell the reader what you can do rather than what you cannot do.

Eliminate negative words and words with negative connotations

Denotation is the explicit dictionary definition of a word. Connotation is the implicit emotional overtones, implications, or associations surrounding the word.

For instance, the dictionary definitions of “thin” and “skinny” are nearly identical. Essentially, they denote the same meaning. However, “thin” has more positive or neutral connotation (feeling or association) and “skinny” as a more negative connotation. In other words, if someone says “you look thin,” it sounds/feels more like a compliment, but if someone says “you look skinny,” it sounds/feels more like criticism.

Words with negative connotations include: afraid, anxious, delay, dissatisfied, error, fail, failure, loss, misfortune, missing, not, problem, regret, reject, weakness… (and many more, of course). Revise them to words that have a more neutral connotation, or revise the sentence entirely.

Instead of:	Revise to:
I’m afraid you were assigned the worst possible schedule.	You were assigned the weekend morning shift.
I regret to inform you that your application for the Premier Scholarship has been denied.	While your application doesn’t qualify for a Premier Scholarship, you are elligible for a number of academic and needs-based scholarships that can help you achieve your goals.
One weakness in your project is your budget.	The budget could be improved.
Noah failed to turn in his library books on time.	Noah’s library books weren’t turned in on time.
Employees should not use the administrative and customer parking lot.	A special parking lot for employees is provided at the east wing of the administrative building.
To avoid the loss of your good credit…	To maintain your good credit rating …
Unfortunately, you can’t park in the reserved parking lot.	You may park in any of the unreserved parking lots.
Thank you for your trouble.	Thank you for your help.
You won’t be sorry you did this.	You will be glad you did this.
Never fail to back up your computer.	Always back up your computer.
Emma’s library card application was denied.	Emma’s library card application wasn’t approved.
Your idea was rejected.	Your idea wasn’t chosen.

Flip negative constructions to positive or neutral constructions

When possible, flip negative constructions/phrasing to positive or neutral constructions.

Instead of:	Revise to:
Sonia’s chili isn’t underseasoned.	Sonia’s chili is well-seasoned.
Your essay doesn’t have any grammatical errors.	Your essay is grammatically correct.
Ruth’s fitness goals and healthy eating plan don’t seem too difficult.	Ruth’s fitness goals and healthy eating plan seem appropriate.
Your volunteer schedule won’t interfere with our book club meetings.	Your volunteer schedule works well with our book club meetings.
Clarence’s goals aren’t unattainable.	Clarence’s goals are attainable.
Don’t avoid office hours if you aren’t sure about the math homework.	Go to office hours if the math homework is unclear.

Justify negative (or unwanted) information by giving a reason or a reader benefit

Instead of:	Revise to:
You are unable to download earlier versions of MS Word.	To ensure your software is compatible with FAU computing systems, you are provided the most current version of MS Word for download.
You can’t permit into full WAC classes.	To ensure WAC guidelines are met for WAC classes, course caps are strictly enforced.

If the negative is truly unimportant, omit it

Instead of:	Revise to:
Because your work was substandard, your group members didn’t like you, and your project was plagiarized, you will fail the class.	Because your project was plagiarized, you will fail the class.
While our student organization had no idea what we were doing, we still managed to raise $1,000 to support a literacy charity.	Our student organization raised $1,000 to support a literacy charity.
You aren’t a great candidate for the position, but because three better candidates turned us down, you’re hired.	You’re hired.