Writing to Advise: Form, Tone, Register

The form of an advice piece could take many shapes such as letters, articles, speeches or blog posts.
Begin with a statement of advice to clearly establish the piece’s purpose.
Keep paragraphs concise and focused on a specific point.
Utilise bullet points or subheadings for ease of reading and to organise information clearly.
In a formal advice piece such as a letter, follow the conventional structure: salutation, introduction, main body, and conclusion.
Ensure the conclusion effectively summarises your main points and reminds the reader of your overarching advice.

Aim for a polite and respectful tone.
Dependent on the specific audience, it may be appropriate to use a conversational or colloquial tone, but avoid becoming overly casual.
Reflect empathy in your tone; display understanding of the reader’s situation.
An encouraging, reassuring and positive tone can be effective when advising, instilling confidence and optimism in the reader.
Avoid sounding critical or judgmental, which could alienate the reader.

Your register, or level of formality, will largely depend on your audience; adjust your vocabulary, sentence length, and level of formality accordingly.
For a formal register, use standard English, complex sentences, and more academic vocabulary.
When a casual register is appropriate, use colloquial language, contractions (“don’t”, “can’t”), and shorter sentences.
Regardless of register, clarity and accessibility remain key. Ensure your advice is comprehensible and direct.
Use technical terms if necessary, but be sure to explain them to maintain accessibility.
Striking the right emotional register is also crucial: a sensitive topic requires a particularly gentle register.