Mastering digital nonverbal communication: Writing with Impact using M365 Copilot in Microsoft Word
Research shows nonverbal communication has a huge impact on influencing others.
In today’s digital world, our writing acts as that powerful nonverbal signal, shaping how our ideas are received.
At work, whether I’m writing emails, reports, case studies, executive briefs, or business reviews, I strive to communicate clearly and persuasively.
That’s why with M365 Copilot integrated in Microsoft Word, I ensure every document shines — covering spelling, grammar, structure, tone, clarity, and flow.
To help convey my thoughts at their best, I’ve put together 6 prompts I use consistently. They’re great for briefs, campaigns, design documents, proposals, and yes, even your resume.
Read more about these prompts here and feel free to try them in your next document. What prompts or tools do you use to polish your writing?
Prompts to help polish your documents
1. Proofread for Grammar and Clarity
Prompt
Review this document for grammatical errors, sentence structure issues, and subject-verb agreement. Suggest corrections without changing the original meaning
2. Enhance Sentence Structure and Readability
Prompt
Assume the role of a professional editor. Analyze this document to improve sentence structure, coherence, and overall readability. List examples of such occurrences and recommend ways to rewrite awkward or complex sentences for better communication
3. Enrich Vocabulary and Precision
Prompt
Act as a vocabulary enhancement expert. Analyze this document to identify repetitive and basic words. List such occurrences and suggest more precise or sophisticated synonyms where appropriate, while preserving the original meaning and voice. Recommend terminology improvements for professional impact
4. Identify Style and Tone Shifts
Prompt
Analyze this document for any abrupt shifts in writing style, tone, or voice. List examples where sentences or sections transitions are unnatural or inconsistent with the overall piece, and suggest ways to harmonize the style throughout.
Response
The example of the response below is from running this prompt on my essay I submitted to the university for MBA admission.
Sure, I'd be happy to help with that. Let's take a look at your document for any abrupt shifts in writing style, tone, or voice, and suggest ways to harmonize the style throughout.
From your document
Section: Foundational context that shaped my future
Example of abrupt shift: "Growing up in a suburb of Mumbai, India; I remember my mother reminding me of 2 points – a. only way to break the chain of poverty is through education and b. everything you have can be taken away other than your knowledge and relationships."
Suggestion: The use of semicolons and the list format here feels more formal and structured compared to the rest of the narrative. Consider rephrasing to maintain a consistent narrative style: "Growing up in a suburb of Mumbai, India, my mother always reminded me that the only way to break the chain of poverty was through education, and that everything I had could be taken away except for my knowledge and relationships."
Section: Key decisions
Example of abrupt shift: "Completing my education has been one of my wisest decisions as it opened opportunity to pursue my dreams to gain experience in USA."
Suggestion: The phrase "opened opportunity to pursue my dreams to gain experience in USA" is somewhat awkward. Consider rephrasing for clarity and flow: "Completing my education was one of the wisest decisions I made, as it opened up opportunities for me to pursue my dreams and gain experience in the USA."
Section: Relevant experience
Example of abrupt shift: "Next stop in my journey was working with CapGemini, a leader in technology consulting, helping Fortune 500 customers with transforming their business processes."
Suggestion: The phrase "Next stop in my journey" feels more casual compared to the rest of the section. Consider rephrasing to maintain a consistent tone: "My next role was with CapGemini, a leader in technology consulting, where I helped Fortune 500 customers transform their business processes."
General Suggestions
Consistency in Tone: Ensure that the tone remains consistent throughout the document. If you start with a formal tone, maintain that formality throughout. If you choose a more conversational tone, ensure that it is consistent in all sections.
Transitions: Use transitional phrases to ensure smooth flow between sections. For example, "Building on my previous experiences," or "In addition to my technical skills," can help create a more cohesive narrative.
Sentence Structure: Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader interest. Avoid overly complex sentences that may confuse the reader, and ensure that each sentence clearly conveys your intended message.
I hope these suggestions help harmonize the style throughout your document. If you have any specific sections you'd like me to focus on, please let me know! 😊
5. Check for Repetitive or Formulaic Language
Prompt
Scan this document for repeated phrases, overused sentence structures, or formulaic language patterns that disrupt stylistic variety. List examples of such occurrences and provide alternative phrasings to increase stylistic diversity and naturalness
6. Compare Sections for Consistent Vocabulary Usage
Prompt
Analyze this document to evaluate vocabulary usage across different paragraphs or sections. Identify any use of jargon, technical terms, or informal language that feels out of