Draft A Difficult Email Without Sounding Defensive

Something has annoyed you and the reply you have written reads exactly like it. This rewrites it into two versions, one firm and one softer, so you can pick the tone that fits the relationship rather than the mood you were in when you typed it. For anyone about to hit send on something they will regret.

You need to write an email responding to {SITUATION}, and your first draft came out sounding defensive or annoyed. Rewrite it so it stays factual, keeps a professional tone, and does not concede anything you should not concede, but also does not sound like you are picking a fight. Keep it under 150 words. Include one version that is firm and one that is softer, so you can choose which fits the relationship.