If you are asked what language you speak, is it enough to say that you speak English, Spanish, or French? There are multiple versions of just about every language. Regional and national differences are important. There’s Southern English and California English just as there is British, Australian, and Indian English. More than that, there are levels of formality in our language, from extremely formal to language filled with slang and idiom. Anyone who wants to be taken seriously as a writer and a communicator must learn to adapt between these different types of English and different types of formality. How we communicate is often just as important as what we are communicating.

You have just received two emails, one from your boss or supervisor and one from a coworker. The two emails address the same situation. A minor problem has occurred that you may be responsible for creating. Your boss/supervisor has asked you for a resolution to the problem. Your coworker, who has been affected by this problem, is angry with you and has written an inflammatory email accusing you of creating this problem on purpose.

1. Using word, write an email as a reply to both of the emails that you have received. You should attempt to resolve the problem as efficiently as possible. Since your email will be received both by a supervisor and a coworker, consider all aspects of your communication including the formality of the language you use, grammar, and all aspects of formal communication. Your goal is to solve the problem and maintain your professionalism at the same time.
2. On the same document, analyze the conflict that has happened. What was the cause of the conflict? How did you attempt to resolve the conflict? What did you need to address in terms of your supervisor’s concerns, and how were these different from your coworker’s concerns? Do you think your supervisor and coworker handled the conflict well in their emails to you? How effective are these emails?