> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developers.deepl.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Controlling Writing Style and Tone

> Steer Write API output with the writing_style and tone parameters: available values, per-language support, and prefer_ fallback behavior.

The [`/v2/write/rephrase` endpoint](/api-reference/improve-text/request-text-improvement) accepts two parameters that steer how your text is rewritten: `writing_style` changes the register of the text, and `tone` changes how it sounds. A request can include one or the other, but not both.

## Writing styles

| Value      | Fallback variant                   |
| :--------- | :--------------------------------- |
| `simple`   | `prefer_simple`                    |
| `business` | `prefer_business`                  |
| `academic` | `prefer_academic`                  |
| `casual`   | `prefer_casual`                    |
| `default`  | (same as omitting `writing_style`) |

## Tones

| Value          | Fallback variant          |
| :------------- | :------------------------ |
| `enthusiastic` | `prefer_enthusiastic`     |
| `friendly`     | `prefer_friendly`         |
| `confident`    | `prefer_confident`        |
| `diplomatic`   | `prefer_diplomatic`       |
| `default`      | (same as omitting `tone`) |

## Language support and fallback behavior

Styles and tones are currently supported for the target languages `de`, `en-GB`, `en-US`, `es`, `fr`, `it`, `pt-BR`, and `pt-PT`. To check support dynamically, call [`GET /v3/languages?resource=write`](/docs/languages/using-the-languages-api) and look for the `writing_style` or `tone` feature key on the target language.

The `prefer_` variants fall back to `default` when the target language doesn't support styles or tones; the non-prefixed values return an HTTP 400 error in that case. Use the `prefer_` variants when you don't set a `target_lang` explicitly, since the detected language may not support styles or tones.

## Example

This request rewrites the same text in a diplomatic tone:

```sh Sample request theme={null}
curl -X POST https://api.deepl.com/v2/write/rephrase \
  --header "Authorization: DeepL-Auth-Key $API_KEY" \
  --header "Content-Type: application/json" \
  --data '{
    "text": [
      "Your proposal misses the point entirely."
    ],
    "target_lang": "en-US",
    "tone": "prefer_diplomatic"
}'
```

```json Sample response theme={null}
{
  "improvements": [
    {
      "text": "It seems that your proposal may not fully capture the essence of the issue at hand.",
      "detected_source_language": "en",
      "target_language": "en-US"
    }
  ]
}
```

New to the Write API? Start with the [Write Quickstart](/docs/translate/write-quickstart).