Certified Hospitality Manager (CHM) Practice Exam

Why is word choice important in emails?

1. People cannot see your face or hear your voice, so your tone is important

2. It determines the length of the email

3. It affects how many recipients you will have

4. Word choice does not matter in professional emails

The correct answer is: People cannot see your face or hear your voice, so your tone is important

Word choice in emails is crucial because, in written communication, the recipient cannot see the sender's facial expressions or hear their tone of voice. This lack of non-verbal cues means that the words chosen are responsible for conveying not just the message but also the intended tone and emotion. Carefully selecting words can help eliminate ambiguity, convey professionalism, and establish the right atmosphere for the communication. For example, using polite and respectful language can foster a positive relationship, while harsh or careless word choice may lead to misunderstandings or negative impressions. The other options do not fully capture the significance of word choice in written communication. While the length of the email or the number of recipients might be factors in email composition, they do not emphasize the impact that word choice has on how the message is perceived. Additionally, stating that word choice does not matter overlooks the critical role it plays in professional interactions.