TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
I have always maintained that there is a limit to what I expect a Subject
Matter Expert to be concerned with and what is outside the SME's sphere of
influence. To me, decisions about what to put in the headings is one of those,
particularly when the decision involves a question of grammar as in this case
of imperative vs. gerund.
Regardless of whether or not I would do it the way you are suggesting, Sierra,
I would say to your engineer: "Me writer. Me make grammar choices. You
engineer. You review for TECHNICAL accuracy and completeness only."
Now, I have both the credibility and the nerve to do this; I don't know if this
approach would work for you. But I firmly believe that the SME is not an expert
in spelling, grammar, punctuation, or document layout. As long as YOU are
satisfied with your reasons for using the imperative, your choice is fine with me.
