Setting up a politeness scale
Politeness Scale (Point System)
least polite
1 point -- words or phrases but no verb (A glass of
water)
2 points -- command (Give me a glass of water)
4 points -- statement (I want a glass of water)
6 points -- question (Do you have water?)
most polite
bonus points
+1 -- use a modal
+2 -- use a past tense form of modal
+1 -- say please
+1 -- introduce the request with an apology ("excuse me," "pardon
me")
penalty points
–2 -- profanity