Will It Stick? tests your words before you send them. Three cold readers say what they heard, not what you meant.
This test does not grade politeness. It shows what readers took from your words. At work, the bigger risk is rarely rude. It is calm words that hide the point.
A real panel run. The full run is on Examples.
Update my manager so she knows the launch is at risk and what I need from her this week
Status update: The project is progressing. Several workstreams are underway and we are addressing various issues as they arise. Stakeholders have been engaged. We expect continued progress in the coming period and will provide further updates as things develop.
“The project is at risk.”
All three readers heard the risk. The note never says it. The goal line did: it told readers what this note was for. Even so, they scored the note itself 1s and 2s.
Read at speed, this email says “all fine.” The ask for help never arrives. The delay shows up later, as a surprise.
“The project is at risk of delay. I need your help this week.”
Status update: The project is at risk of delay. Several workstreams are underway and we are addressing various issues as they arise. Stakeholders have been engaged. We expect continued progress in the coming period and will provide further updates as things develop.
One line changed. The note now says the true thing first, in plain words. Nothing rude was added. Nothing needed to be.