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RE: Use of the second and third person in documentation

Subject: RE: Use of the second and third person in documentation
From: "Fred Ridder" <docudoc -at- hotmail -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 11:14:47 -0500


In descriptive text, either second person or third person is
acceptable as long as it is used consistently. In the US, second
person is generally considered to be "friendlier" and more
engaging, but I have heard that it may be considered rude in
some other cultures. In some cases, third person may lead to
ambiguities because the user may or may not be the same
party as the person reading the document.

In procedures, second person is clearly preferable to third
person. But imperitive voice ("click this" to extend your
example) is generally the best choice.

My opinions only; I don't speak for Intel...
Fred Ridder
Intel
Parsippany, NJ

From: "A.H." <isaac840 -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Reply-To: "A.H." <isaac840 -at- yahoo -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Subject: Use of the second and third person in documentation
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 07:52:28 -0800 (PST)


Hello, all,

Is it standard practice to refer to users of
software a "the user" or "users," or as "you"?

Examples: 1. Users can click...
2. You can click...

Thanks,
Anthony Hernandez
Technical Writing Intern
Fund for the City of New York

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References:
Use of the second and third person in documentation: From: A.H.

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